The Meursault appellation is devoted essentially to white wines, which give Chardonnay one of its finest expressions. Its most famous Premier Cru climats could lay claim to Grand Cru status: Meursault Premier Cru Perrières, Genevrières and Charmes.
Located 8 km south of Beaune as the crow flies, right in the heart of the vineyards to which it is wholly devoted, the charming, prosperous village of Meursault—dominated by the soaring spire of its Gothic bell tower—reveals several architectural masterpieces.
Structures such as a superb, recently restored 12th-century leper hospital, the town hall and its polychrome roof immortalized in the cult film *La Grande Vadrouille*, not to mention the elegant Château de Meursault and its impressive 14th-century vaulted cellars, which rank among the most beautiful in Burgundy.
The Château has the honor of hosting the famous Paulée de Meursault every year on the third Monday of November, which brings the three glorious days of the Hospices de Beaune wine auction to a spectacular close.
This village, with over 400 ha of cultivated land and having been granted AOC status in 1937, is one of the largest municipal appellations in the Côte d’Or.
The Murisart vineyards, which reach their peak on limestone marl, are primarily dedicated to white wines that best showcase the expression of Chardonnay. When the grapes reach perfect ripeness, they impart a sensation of sweetness even though the wine is dry. While their aromatic complexity and opulence make these wines quite approachable when young, Meursault nonetheless possesses excellent aging potential. Some of its Premier Crus can withstand aging for several decades. Throughout history, Meursault white wines have graced the world’s most illustrious tables—but, thanks to their popularity, they have also found their way onto more modest ones as well.
Among its 19 Premier Cru-classified climats, the top three are Les Perrières, Les Genevrières, and Les Charmes—as exemplified by this magnificent 2009 Meursault Perrières Premier Cru from Domaine Pierre Morey. These are fabulous vineyards that could rightly lay claim to the “grand cru” designation. Meursault’s premier crus enjoy an exceptional reputation, such as the 2020 Les Charmes Dessus from Château de Meursault and Les Genevrières from the Hospices de Beaune.
Meursault wines sometimes take on a reddish hue; the finest example of this is the Volnay Premier Cru Santenots, which is located in Meursault and not in Volnay, as its name might suggest. The finest example is the 2018 Volnay Premier Cru Santenots Cuvée Gauvain, Hospices de Beaune.
If you’re passing through Burgundy, be sure to stop in Meursault, where the narrow streets, gardens, and beautiful winemakers’ homes are a true invitation to take a stroll. Also discover our selection of wines from Volnay, a neighboring appellation known for its great red wines.
