MERCUREY

Benoît and Emilie Eschard moved to Mercurey in 2011 to take over Domaine Jeannin-Naltet. His family had owned and run this estate since 1858, but with his uncle retiring and no heir - they decided to take it on.

Not 'to the manor born' - Benoît left his successful engineering career in Paris to continue this long family history. Studying at the viticultural school in Beaune at the age of 35, before setting about bringing the estate up to date and beginning to maximise the huge potential here. No longer would they sell off their fruit in bulk. Benoit understood what this 9HA contiguous vineyard was capable of. Blessed with nearly 7HA of 1er cru sites including the 4.9HA monopole of Le Clos des Grands Voyens - he wanted to bottle their own wines and thank goodness he did.

His fastidious nature and open minded approach have seen the vineyards transformed. Re-vamping the farming completely with higher trellising, turning the soil and much more hands on work throughout the season ensures the finest fruit possible arrives at the cellar. With fruit now of the highest quality and Benoit has brought in detailed yet gentle processes in the winery, no more pumping and delicate ageing in a broad selection of oak from 7 different coopers - each selected to deal with parcel by parcel differences in the crop. These wines have risen quickly to the top of the Côte Chalonnaise tree. France's most important Wine Guide the 'Revue du Vin de France' - rates 6 domaines here at the highest level. Domaine Jeannin-Naltet becomes the 4th from this top 'set' to join the Lea & Sandeman list alongside the more famous names Francois Lumpp, Vincent Dureuil-Janthial, and Francois Raquillet. We are delighted to add them to our selection. These are sophisticated, precise wines that are full of charm and intrigue.