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

Among its Premier Cru vineyards, “Les Charmes” stands out for its pedigree and complexity, shaped by two distinct terroirs. Charmes-Dessous, with its rich, clay-based soils, produces wines that are opulent and full-bodied. In contrast, Charmes-Dessus, where the soil is finer and closer to the limestone bedrock, yields wines of elegance, precision, and mineral finesse. Domaine du Pavillon holds an exceptional position, with two plots in Charmes-Dessus and one in Charmes-Dessous. This rare combination enables the domaine to craft a Meursault ‘Les Charmes’ of outstanding balance—seamlessly blending richness and refinement into a wine of remarkable depth, purity, and lasting elegance.

Winemaking

Handpicked, the fermentation is carried out in oak barrels, 30 to 35% of which are new oak, then aged on the fine lees in oak for 14 to 16 months.

Tasting Note

Generous and inviting on the nose, this wine opens with layered aromatics of candied lemon zest, toasted almonds, white florals, subtle spice, and nuances of fresh brioche. On the palate, it delivers a full-bodied structure with notable depth and complexity. A precise mineral tension provides balance and lift, carrying through to a long, refined finish marked by lingering notes of pastry and spice.

Food matching

Ideal for pairing with refined dishes—think shellfish, poultry in cream-based sauces, or aged cheeses, scallops in saffron sauce.