Mercurey 1er Cru 'En Sazenay' Blanc 2020, Domaine Tupinier-Bautista

White Mercurey is one of the best-kept secrets of the Côte Chalonnaise, and this Mercurey 1er Cru 'En Sazenay' by Domaine Tupinier-Bautista delivers clear proof that this appellation deserves a permanent spot on the grand Burgundian stage.

This 100% Chardonnay comes from 30 to 40-year-old vines planted on limestone-rich loam soils in the Premier Cru vineyard 'En Sazenay'. In the glass, the wine impresses with a rich, opulent texture and pronounced concentration. The aromatic profile opens with notes of citrus, white flowers, hazelnut, stone fruit, and exotic touches of lychee and mango, backed by a subtle smokiness and a refined mineral 'bite'. Thanks to 12 months of barrel ageing, the wine possesses a luscious richness and creaminess, perfectly balanced by vibrant acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish.

Key Highlights

• Rating: 92/100 Points (Wine Advocate) and glowing words from Jancis Robinson ("You could really sink into this").
• Vivino ★ 4,1 | 5
• Terroir: 100% Chardonnay sourced from 30 to 40-year-old vines in the Premier Cru vineyard 'En Sazenay'. The soil of clay, loam, and limestone gives the wine its unique mineral depth and structure.
• Winemaking & Ageing: Meticulous winemaking featuring fermentation and 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels (40% new oak, 30% two- to three-year-old oak).
• Tasting Profile: Rich, creamy, and concentrated. Aromas of ripe stone fruit, apple, citrus, lychee, mango, hazelnut, a subtle touch of smoke, and a mineral edge.
• Ageing Potential: Thanks to its concentration, oak framework, and fresh acidity, this Premier Cru possesses excellent cellaring potential over 5 to 8 years.

Food Pairing

• Shellfish & Crustaceans: Excellent alongside pan-seared scallops and flambéed prawns.
• Fish & Vegetables: Wonderful with richer fish dishes or a refined vegetable en papillote with fresh herbs.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served chilled between 11°C and 13°C in generous crystal glasses.

The Terroir of Premier Cru En Sazenay

The Premier Cru vineyard 'En Sazenay' lies north of the hamlet of Touches in the heart of the Mercurey appellation. The soil consists of a balanced mix of loam, clay, and limestone. This subsoil provides ideal water management, forcing deep-rooted vines to yield low crops (approx. 54 hl/ha), resulting in grapes of rare aromatic concentration and a focused mineral backbone.

About Domaine Tupinier-Bautista

The Tupinier family has been active in Burgundian winemaking since 1770. Today, the estate is led by Manu Bautista, who took over the business from his father-in-law and expanded it to 10 hectares of prime vineyards. Based in Touches, the estate features iconic 17th-century cellars carved directly out of rock. Flanked by the Premier Cru vineyards 'En Sazenay' to the north and 'Le Clos du Roy' and 'Les Vellées' to the south, Manu produces exceptionally expressive and characterful Burgundies with strictly controlled yields.