Domaine Jacques Prieur, Meursault 1er Cru AOC Santenots

About Domaine Jacques Prieur

Domaine Jacques Prieur is a wine grower-producer in Burgundy, France, located in Meursault. The domaine produces wines from both C te de Beaune and C te de Nuits. For years Domaine Jacques Prieur was in a slow and seemingly terminal decline, with quantity rather than quality being the byword. The guardian angel arrived in the form of Mercurey-based n gociants Antonin Rodet in the late 1980s. Rodet's oenologist, Nadine Gublin, has been the driving force behind the renaissance in quality which now rivals the very finest producers on the C te. The Domaine is today owned 70% by the Labruy re family and 30% by the Prieurs. The roots of the revival lie in the vineyards where fewer pesticides and herbicides are being used and, come harvest time, there is now a far more rigid selection of the best fruit. The results are a revelation. They have an exceptional range of grand cru vineyards including the grandest of the grand, such as Montrachet, Musigny and Chambertin. There is a conscious decision to pick relatively late and make flamboyantly full-bodied wines. Maturing generally takes place in oak barrels, between 50 and 80% new for Grands Crus, often 30% for Premiers. The maturing period is very variable but is often close to 20 months. Pinot Noir: destemming 100% is the rule but we now use more and more whole bunches depending on vintages and parcels. Chardonnay: whole bunches are squeezed out in a pneumatic press. The juice then settles for 12 to 14 hours. Alcoholic fermentation and maturing both take place in an oak barrel.