When visiting Maison Albert Bichot, one is naturally inclined toward admiration even before tasting the wines! Mostly, on account of two reasons: the open, direct and humorous personality of Albéric Bichot – whose deep knowledge of Burgundian terroirs and people is remarkable – and the estate’s extraordinary architectural heritage, from its historic working cellars to its grand reception spaces.
Albéric Bichot acquired many plots, meaning that the maison now has 100 hectares of vineyards. Here we find the Clos Frantin and Domaine Château-Gris on the Côte de Nuits, the Domaine du Pavillon and the Domaine Adélie on the Chalonnaise coast as well as the Domaine Long Depaquit in Chablis and Domaine de Rochegrès in Beaujolais. These wines are certified as organic. At the same time, the maison carries out its trading business by purchasing only carefully selected grapes. The wines are all vinified in Beaune under the leadership of the very talented Matthieu Mangenot.
In recent decades, the estate has taken a major step forward with an unwavering commitment to raising quality. Wines from the estates’ vineyards and those from the négociant activity are kept separately, and the approach in both vineyard and cellar is as natural as possible. The grapes are vinified in a state-of-the-art vathouse located in the heart of Beaune. Albéric Bichot has brought renewed drive to the estate, and the results speak for themselves.

Legend has it that Mercurey owes its name to a Roman temple built in honour of the god Mercury. The Pinot Noir from which this cuvée is produced comes from the brown, pebbly, clay-rich soils of the Côte Chalonnaise appellation. After a vinification in temperature-controlled, oak conical vats for 15 to 20 days, the wine is matured in oak casks for 14 to 16 months. This cuvée from Domain Albert Bichot gives off intense aromas of wild berries, red and black fruits and stone fruits such as plum and peach. The wine is delicate and its finish incredibly long.