2021 Les Heritiers Saint-Genys Clos Marcilly Premier Cru Mercurey Blanc

About the Wine

What do Chateau Teyssier, Ch. Talbot, Ch. Smith Haut Lafitte, Clos Fourtet, Domaine Laroche in Chablis, Dom. Saint-Prefert in Chateauneuf, Commanderie de Peyrassol in Provence, Tenuta Argentiera in Bolgheri, and Inglenook in Napa have in common?

All of these leading wineries have turned to Stephane Derenoncourt to make their highly regarded wines even better. Today, BHW is pleased to introduce to you another esteemed estate that has benefited from Derenoncourt’s wine whispering: Les Heritiers de Saint-Genys in Burgundy. 

Les Heritiers Saint-Genys winery is located in Chassagne Montrachet, where they produce several excellent wines, both rouge et blanc. In 2011, the winery acquired Le Clos Marcilly, a Premier Cru vineyard in Mercurey. Following improvements and some replanting, the vineyard is now a monopole, a unique vineyard with its own appellation (or AOC), that is solely farmed and controlled by Les Heritiers Saint-Genys. This is akin to how Romanee Conti has made famous their own monopoles, such as Romanee Conti and La Tache. To own and farm a monopole is a responsibility of the highest order and is considered a privilege. Les Heritiers Saint Genys is dedicated to making a tiny amount of only the best wines the land will offer.

Clos Marcilly was one of the first five original Premier Crus recognized in Mercurey in 1943. The average age of the vines is 60 years old, and the soil is clay-limestone at an altitude of 230m. 

The hand-harvested grapes are severely sorted, and only 85% are destemmed. The 15% whole cluster stem inclusion gives the wine more body, mouthfeel, and notes of pencil shavings. The wine aged for twenty months in 25% new French barrels. The wine is not fined before bottling. Only 500 cases were made, and only 100 cases were imported into the US.

Tasting Notes

100% Pinot Noir. 

Critic Reviews

Complex nose of damp forest floor, wild berries and licorice. A tightly-wound wine for 2021 from the Cote Chalonnaise with impressive tannin structure and excellent energy, the finish powering ahead in the rather nimble way that we associate with this vintage. At the finish also some licorice and spice. Drink or hold. ~ 94 James Suckling

As you would expect from the fragrant and gentle 2021 vintage, from an appellation that is never the most concentrated, this is a nuanced and charming wine with gentle woodsmoke, raspberry, red cherry and white truffle. A tiny 2.14ha estate, with Jean-Baptiste Alinc winemaker, and a monopole since 2016, one of the original five Premier Cru vineyards named in 1943. Not the most high profile vintage to arrive on the Place, but this is full of lyricism, with touces of dill and sage. Easy to love, no need to wait to drink but has a good decade ahead. ~92 Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux.

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