2020 Mercurey Rouge 1er Cru Les Trois Louves, Domaine Patrick Guillot

A plot within Clos des Montaigus was planted in 2001 with the little-seen Pinot Noir Clone No. 943. This produces bunches where the grapes hang loose around their stems, giving a wine of exceptional fruit, and the silkiest of tannins. Only 3 barrels were made that year, fermented in a tiny tank, with Guillot’s wife and their two daughters all helping – sometimes with bodies in the vat, to do foot-punching-down and also to hand up buckets, which is the only way to empty out the skins and stems, after fermentation. Chamirey is a tiny hamlet, whose inhabitants were known as stay-at-homes. They never ventured far afield, like wolves in their dens, whence their nick-name: “Les Loups de Chamirey.” In naming this special cuvée Les Trois Louves, Patrick Guillot pays tribute to the 3 she-wolves in his family, without whom this sumptuous wine could not have seen the light of day. Just 2 barrels have been made in 2020, showing solid, deep purple colour, fresh, yet presently discreet aromas, and sumptuous fruitiness on the palate, with gentle, creamy aftertaste (for drinking 2024-2032+).