2011 Arnaud Ente Meursault

Domaine Arnaud Ente is a 12-acre domain founded by Arnaud Ente in 1992. Based in Meursault, Burgundy, the domaine has parcels in the Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Bourgogne appellations. The estate makes only about 1,250 cases of wine annually but is widely admired for its premier cru Chardonnays. Clive Coates has described winemaker Arnaud Ente as “one of the best growers to come to the fore in the last decade.” Robert M. Parker Jr. has called the domaine’s wines “extraordinary” and notes that although Ente has only been producing wines under his own name since 1994, the domaine “is well on its way to becoming a household name.”

Meursault is one of the trio of famous Chardonnay producing appellations in the Côte d’Or. Although both red and white wines are allowed to be produced in the Meursault appellation, 98% of Meursault is Chardonnay. With a total of 2,500 acres of vineyards, there are no Grands Crus but 325 acres of Premiers Crus, which are divided into 13 main vineyards. As wine writers have often noted, Meursault’s fame is based on its Premiers Crus, including the prestigious Les Perrières, Les Genevrières and Les Charmes. Because the water table is low in Meursault, many producers have cellars here, including Comte Lafon and Jean-Francois Coche-Dury. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote “the Premiers Crus, as well as the finest Villages Meursaults from the top vineyards, are among the easiest drinking white burgundies in the world. Why? High-quality Meursault is opulent, almost unctuous, with a fatness and a juicy, succulent, buttery, hazelnut and apple, peach-like fruitiness that often roars from the glass.”

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.