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

Producer Profile

Located south of Pommard, Domaine du Pavillon is Albert Bichot’s flagship Côte de Beaune estate.

The domaine covers 19.5 hectares, with vineyards across some of the Côte de Beaune’s most renowned appellations, including Meursault, Pommard, Volnay, Corton and Corton-Charlemagne, with holdings in some of the region’s finest vineyard sites. The estate itself includes vineyards, a winery, cellars and an 18th-century manor surrounded by walls. Almost 4 hectares are dedicated to the domaine’s production of Pommard Clos des Ursulines monopole. Organic viticulture is practised throughout the estate, while the winery was modernised in 2016, allowing individual parcels to be vinified separately and with greater precision.

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.