Domaine du Pavillon, Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes, Burgundy, France, 2020

Producer Profile

The Bichot family have had connections to wine since 1831, when Bernard Bichot founded a wine trading business in Monthélie.

Bernard’s son, Hippolyte, bought the first of the family’s vines in Volnay and his son Albert gave the family business momentum in the late 19th century, settling in the heart of Beaune where they still follow their dream to this day. Having gone off to find adventure in the world, travelling extensively from the Arctic to the Antarctic, Albéric Bichot returned to Beaune and took over the business in 1996; and though he fully respects the family’s traditions, he is completely focused on the future. Albéric compares himself to the “conductor of an orchestra, proud to bring people and their talents together in a common project”. He tackles the many challenges faced by the region with energy, converting to organic viticulture in the Côte-d’Or vineyards, adapting to new markets as they emerge, and increasing the prestige and exposure of Burgundy wines worldwide. He remains convinced that the quality of the grapes is what determines the quality of the wine and is currently focused on work begun in the 1980s to secure supplies and expand vinification and cellaring capacity.

Viticulture

The 2.89-hectare Les Charmes Premier Cru vineyard is planted on calcareous clay soils in the heart of Meursault. Domaine du Pavillon owns parcels in both Charmes-Dessus and Charmes-Dessous, combining the richness and generosity of the lower clay-rich sites with the finesse and mineral precision of the upper limestone-influenced slopes. The Chardonnay vines average 35 to 40 years of age, producing fruit of exceptional concentration and complexity.

Winemaking

The wine is matured on fine lees in French oak barrels for 14 to 16 months, with 30% to 35% new oak. This ageing regime adds richness, texture and subtle spice while integrating seamlessly with the wine's fruit and mineral character.

Tasting Note

A beautifully complex Premier Cru Meursault with an expressive nose of candied lemon, almond, white flowers, spice and freshly baked brioche. Rich and full-bodied on the palate, balancing generous ripe fruit with refined mineral tension. The long, elegant finish reveals layers of brioche, spice and citrus, delivering both power and finesse.

Food matching

Magnificent with seared scallops, lobster thermidor, roast chicken with morels and creamy wild mushroom risotto.