2017 Domaine-Maison Vincent Girardin Les Charmes-Dessus Meursault 1er Cru 750 ml

Just south of Volnay and Pommard in the Côte de Beaune, Meursault is ground zero for white wine production in the Côte-d'Or. The best sites in Meursault emerge in the western slopes just outside the town, and continue up into steep hillsides, where shallow soils encourage vigor and vines turn out lime-citrus-driven, gorgeous, racy whites. 

Critics the world over often find “grand cru-like quality,” among Premier Cru Meursault bottlings— and we found the same thing in Vincent Girardin’s Les Charmes. Our own Master Sommelier Sur Lucero argues that Les Charmes is “this is the site that would make the top of the list during a re-classification.” 

The 2017 Vincent Girardin Les Charmes-Dessus Meursault is a gorgeous, citrus-driven, racy whites from the prime growing area within Les Charmes. In the glass, there is an intoxicating mix of limestone and pears framed with nuances of nutmeg and spice. 

Few Burgundy producers can capture such textbook, terroir-driven typicity of site as Girardin, making his portfolio among the most compellingly complete studies of the Côte-d'Or’s distinct characteristics—especially for those who don’t wish to spend tens of thousands of dollars training their palates in its nuances. 

Robert M. Parker Jr. clearly agreed when he wrote, “I know of no other producer in Burgundy that can deliver as broad a range of outstanding wines at such reasonable prices.”

Vincent Girardin is the son of a family of winegrowers based in Santenay since the 17th century. In 1980, at the age of 19, he decided to strike out on his own and began producing wine from five acres of vines that he had inherited from his parents. The quality of his wines skyrocketed Girardin to fame among connoisseurs and classicists and the growth of his extensive holdings quickly followed suit.