2018 Maison Roche de Bellene Meursault Les Charmes

Maison Roche de Bellene is a negociant founded in 2008 by Nicolas Potel, a rising star in Burgundy and the son of the late, legendary Gerard Potel of the highly respected Domaine de la Pousse d’Or in Volnay. After his father’s death in 1997 Nicolas became a negociant and started Maison Nicolas Potel. His wines earned praise from such writers as Clive Coates, but a falling out with his business partners led to Potel’s departure from the firm that still bears his name. Ever the optimist, he bought vineyards and founded yet another negociant business and a domaine. He named his new ventures after Bellene, an ancient Gallic god of the sun. Wine Advocate wrote in 2014 that “Nicolas Potel’s wines have a strong following in the UK, the United States and Japan and for good reason. His wide portfolio of both domaine and negociant wines can be absolutely delicious…” Nicolas Potel makes wines biodynamically.

Les Charmes, at 78 acres, is Meursault’s largest Premier Cru vineyard. Like its neighboring Premier Crus, Les Genevrieres and Les Perrieres, is is south of the commune of Meursault and very close to Puligny-Montrachet. Since Meursault lacks a Grand Cru, Meursault’s reputation for excellence is based on the Premier Crus, particularly the whites. Les Charmes abuts Puligny-Montrachet. Burgundy writer Clive Coates writes that “there is an attractive, soft flowery character to a Charmes: peach blossom, delicately nutty, gently honeyed.”

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.