Vines 30-65 years old, planting density 13,000 vines/ha, yield 33hl/ha. Sandy, manganese-containing granite soil, 5-10 degree slope facing southeast, altitude 330m, 0.953ha. Whole bunch fermented for 15 days using SMC method (with MLF fermentation) and aged for 18 months. No fining agent used. The history of this domaine began in 1987 when the owner, Olivier Mehrland, who learned winemaking in Jura and California, purchased and inherited the historic domaine "Domaine des Vieux Saint-Sorlin" in the Maconnais region, which has been in existence since the Middle Ages. The Maconnais region is higher in altitude than the Cote d'Or, and the fields on the steep slopes are characterized by strong winds. 95% of producers in the Maconnais region spray herbicides and harvest by hand, but Mehrland has never used chemical fertilizers or herbicides from the beginning to the present, and frequently tills the fields. This is one of the few domaines that selects and hand-picks fully ripe and healthy grapes. Grapes grown on windy slopes are less likely to attract pests, so there is no need to spray pesticides. The grapes are harvested in small boxes to avoid damaging them before fermentation, and the grapes are quickly placed in fermentation tanks and fermented after being re-selected on a selection table. Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed, and Pinot Noir is 100% de-stemmed (Gamay is whole-cluster fermented). Complete malolactic fermentation, no collage, and non-filtered or minimally filtered before bottling. Olivier, who carefully crafts his wines by hand, has confirmed his position as a leader among high-quality wineries in the Maconnais region. Olivier, who knows the region well long before winemakers from the Cote d'Or even ventured into the Maconnais region, has trained many winemakers, including Raphael, the fourth generation owner of Domaine Coche-Dury. Master of Wine Jasper Morris has also introduced Olivier as one of the best winemakers representing the Maconnais region. In 2012, he also established a new winery, Chateau des Cars, with Dominique, the owner of Comte Lafon, a top Meursault domaine. His two sons, Theo and Paul, are now also involved in the domaine, and expectations are high for further improvements in quality in the future.
[The unique character of the Mâcon region, according to Domaine Merlant]
● Mâcon-La Roche-Vineuse
...Minerality, saltiness, freshness
●Pouilly-Fuissé
...Long aftertaste, powerful, long-term aging type
●Saint-Veran
...Feminine, smooth, fruity