Meursault (The Crus, Best Wines, Prices 2024)

Keen to know more about Meursault?

Meursault is the name of a famous Burgundy wine region as well as the wine produced there. 

While Burgundy is renowned for its grand crus, Meursault has no grand cru. Yet its wines are well-regarded, often uttered in the same sentence as its grand cru neighbors in Montrachet. 

What makes Meursault wines unique? How do they taste, and are they age-worthy? 

In this article, we’ll unravel everything you need to know about Meursault - its crus, wine styles, aging potential, best wines to buy, prices, and the easiest way to buy them.

All About the Meursault AOC

‍The first thing you’ll likely wonder about this famous wine region is how to pronounce its name.

How do you pronounce Meursault? 

Forget the “t” at the end. Say “muhr-so,” and you have it! (And, it’s not the protagonist Meursault from the novel by Albert Camus!)

Where is Meursault located? 

Meursault is located along the famed Route des Grands Crus in Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. This particular Bourgogne wine region is dedicated almost entirely to white wine made from the Chardonnay grape variety.

Volnay and Pommard wine regions adjoin its northern border. To the south, in the direction of Santenay, lies Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet - home to some of the most celebrated grand cru white wines.

Meursault AOC is a large appellation, covering village-level wines, well-regarded lieux dits, and many esteemed premier (1er) crus. 

What does lieu-dit mean?

Lieu-dit (or lieux dits in plural) means “named place.” In wine terms, it refers to a smaller plot or vineyard within the appellation. Lieux dits are often an indicator of quality but aren’t necessarily part of a grand cru or premier cru. 

Some lieux dits like Les Narvaux and Les Chevalières produce village wine that is comparable to the premier crus. Adding the lieu-dit is a practice common on Burgundy or Alsace wine labels. 

The Meursault vineyards lie on the slopes of the Côte d'Or escarpment. Limestone substrata, and poor topsoils with a high ratio of stones are the hallmarks of this classic Burgundy terroir.

Now let’s take a step back at where it all started.

A brief history of Meursault

Meursault is one of the oldest villages in Burgundy. It lies on a prehistoric site that had its first settlers in 2,500 BC and later became a Gallo-Roman camp. 

The name “Meursault” is derived from the Latin “muris saltus,” meaning “mouse-leap.” 

One thread of history claims it’s the name the Roman soldiers gave to the Ruisseau des Cloux stream, which cuts through the area. 

Another says it’s because previously, the plots producing white wine and red wine were so close — they couldn’t be separated by more than a ‘mouse’s jump.’

Did we mention red wine in Meursault? Aren’t Meursault wines usually white?

Meursault Grapes and Wine Styles

Most of the 400-odd hectares in Meursault grow Chardonnay. But, around  5% of the area is planted with Pinot Noir vines.

A. Meursault white wine

Meursault ranks in the top tier of Bourgogne blanc, along with Chablis and those from Puligny and Chassagne-Montrachet. Of this group, Meursault’s character is the richest and most opulent.

Meursault white wine is usually made of 100% Chardonnay grape, though it is sometimes blended with Pinot Blanc. 

This wine displays an evident oak influence from its winemaking, often resulting in a buttery and nutty flavor. 

There aren’t many examples of tannic or lean Chardonnay in Meursault. So, most Meursault wines drink well when they’re young as they’re creamy and lack bracing acidity. 

That’s not to say you can’t age Meursault white wine. Some premier crus produce Chardonnay that age quite beautifully.

B. Meursault red wine

Meursault red wine is a rare beast. Also, some winemakers that do grow Pinot Noir don’t bottle their red wines as Meursault AOC.  

In fact, a small cluster of Meursault vineyards that border Volnay bottle their Pinot Noir under the Volnay Santenots appellation. 

So if you’re drinking a Volnay 1er Cru Santenots, that’s a Meursault red, as the Santenots vineyard lies in Meursault.

Further reading:

• Sweeten your taste buds with the approachable, aromatic Moscato wine, or discover the best bubblies if you’re a fan of sparkling wine.
• Find out which wine glass matches your wine to make the most of its aromas and flavors.

What does Meursault Wine Taste Like?

A wine tasting of Meursault from different areas would be an interesting experience!

Meursault Chardonnay is a rich, round, full-bodied white wine. Butter is a common tasting note associated with Meursault white, along with almond and hazelnut, honey, and citrus fruits. 

Meursault Pinot Noir is round and supple with aromas of black and red fruit, licorice, and spices.

Due to the varying orientation of the vineyards, from due south to due east, you’ll find subtle differences in taste across wines from this region. 

Food Pairings with Meursault Wine

Meursault Chardonnay has a rich intensity and exceptional balance that pairs well with white meat and anything creamy or buttery. 

Think poultry in creamy sauce, grilled lobster, or trout with almonds. Blue cheese and foie gras take well to it too.

As for the rarer Meursault reds, Pinot Noir is such a food-friendly wine. Delicate meats like lean cut beef or veal would complement it wonderfully. Camembert and Brie cheese also make a fine match.

Let’s take a closer look at the characteristics of some of the premier crus.

The Premiere Crus of Meursault 

Mid-vineyard view of Meursault-Perrières (chapuis-photo.com)

Meursault’s stellar reputation comes from its many high-quality premier cru vineyards, as well as commune-level bottlings. 19 subregions have been classified as premier crus. 

These crus are known for producing intriguing, collectible wines:

• Charmes: Les Charmes produces Chardonnay that’s soft and supple, nutty, and buttery. The wines from this Meursault vineyard are delicious and collectible.
• Perrières: This acclaimed climat is considered the finest in Meursault. The Chardonnay from the Perrières terroir is powerful, intense, and concentrated, with a stunning minerality. These wines also age well.
• Clos des Perrières: This is a smaller terroir within the Perrières region and is a monopole of Albert Grivault— a grower known for making subtle but exciting, floral, age-worthy Chardonnay.
• Genevrières: Chardonnay from this premier cru vineyard is classic Meursault! Heavily oaked, round, and creamy, it's also usually nuttier than those from other Meursault terroir.
• Le Porusot: Medium-bodied and fruit-driven wines from Le Porusot vineyard have hints of spice and smoke. Aging leads to increased complexity and silkiness.
• Les Bouchères: Chardonnay from this climat is best drunk young. They usually feature the flavor of butterscotch and citrus notes.
• Les Caillerets: This is one of few climats that produces both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Wines from this area are usually rich, austere, and have great aging potential.
• Les Cras: This is another terroir that produces both red and white Meursault.  Les Cras wines have a characteristic minerality that’s developed from its rocky terrain. They’re also quite rare and often age-worthy.
• Les Gouttes d’Or: Chardonnay grapes in this area ripen very well, producing an opulent, full-bodied wine. They’re fruit-forward and often very approachable.

Let’s see who the main Meursault producers are.

The Best Meursault Wine Producers

Meursault has many producers, and it can be tough to decide when you’re looking for Meursault wines.

Here are some of the most notable names:

• Domaine Arnaud Ente
• Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils
• Domaine des Comtes Lafon
• Domaine Jean-François Coche-Dury
• Domaine Jean-Philippe Fichet
• Domaine Morey Coffinet
• Domaine Leflaive
• Domaine Pierre Morey
• Maison Leroy
• Maison Louis Latour
• Château de Meursault

Read more: Discover how many calories are in your glass of wine

Is it a Good Idea to Invest in Meursault Wine?

‍Though Meursault has many fine, delicious wines, not all are suited for years in your cellar. Some are made to be enjoyed young, within the first 5 years.

However, valuable vintages from top winemakers and crus can be worth cellaring for around 10 years. 

If you’re looking to resell on the secondary market, it might be best to store for about five years before selling. This allows some age on the wine but keeps it young enough for collectors who want to drink it earlier.

Here are some suggestions on the best vintages and crus to consider if you want age-worthy Meursault:

A. Meursault Vintages with Great Aging Potential

The best Chardonnay vintages come from grapes that fully ripen without becoming too ripe or flabby. Look for vintages that were grown in warm weather but not too hot, with cool winds and some late summer rain.

Some of the best Meursault vintages in the last two decades are: 

• 2014: Subtle, balanced, concentrated with excellent aging potential
• 2005: More concentrated than usual, with greater aging potential than most white Burgundy wine
• 2002: An intense, full-bodied vintage - a perfect representation of classic Meursault

B. Which Crus to Consider for Ageworthy Wines

‍These premiere crus produce wines that age better than others:

• Perrières
• Clos des Perrières
• Les Charmes
• Le Porusot
• Les Caillerets
• Les Cras

Now, what foods can you pair with Meursault wine?

Also read: The best ways to cellar your wine collection.

Ready to get to know some excellent Meursault wines?

The Best Wines of Meursault in 2024 (Including Taste, Prices)

1. Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Les Gouttes d'Or 2005, Meursault Premier Cru, France 

The 2005 Les Gouttes d’Or offers the enticing aroma of buttered popcorn. This fantastic wine is massive and delicious on the palate, driving to a lengthy finish full of acidity, salinity, and minerality.

Price of Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Les Gouttes d'Or 2005: $3,600+

2. Coche-Dury Les Perrières 2014, Meursault Premier Cru, France

This lovely, full-bodied 2014 vintage is rich but also delicate, with lemon oil aromas. Ripe, intense apple dominates the palate, infused with delicate spices. 

Price of Coche-Dury Les Perrieres 2014: $2,800+

3. Coche-Dury Genevrières 2012, Meursault Premier Cru, France

The 2012 Genevrières is beautifully floral with white fruits and vanilla on the nose. The expressive palate has ripe, tropical yellow, and white fruits. Concentrated, with balanced acidity, it finishes with great length.

Price of Coche-Dury Genevrieres 2012: $2,000+

4. Coche-Dury Caillerets 2016, Meursault Premier Cru, France

The 2016 Caillerets Meursault 1er Cru has a nose of strong herbal notes, white peach, and flowers. A dense palate offers flinty lemon meringue, and pronounced acidity with spicy hints of coriander and anise.

Price of Coche-Dury Caillerets 2016: $1,600+

5. Domaine Arnaud Ente Meursault La Sève du Clos 2015, Cote de Beaune, France

This 2015 vintage has an exceptionally alluring nose of apple, acacia white flowers, petrol, and a hint of roasted nuts. With a rich mouthfeel, this wine is powerful and dense on the palate while delivering superb persistence.

Price of Domaine Arnaud Ente Meursault La Sève du Clos 2015: $1,400+

6. Domaine Roulot Perrières 2012, Meursault Premier Cru, France

The 2012 Perrières offers a nose of dense, ripe, yellow fruit with a hint of white, lemon curd, lemon oil, apple tart, honey, and crushed rocks. It’s exceptionally concentrated with bright acidity and an excellent minerality. 

Price of Domaine Roulot Perrieres 2012: $1,500+

7. Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Meursault Les Narvaux 2009, Cote de Beaune, France

The 2009 vintage begins with the taste of sherry and tawny. This turns into notes of apple, pear, lemon, popcorn, white fruit, and lots of minerals. The tension on the palate is expressive and profound. 

Price of Leroy Domaine d'Auvenay Meursault Les Narvaux 2009: $2,400+

8. Coche-Dury Meursault Les Chevalières 2013, Cote de Beaune, France

This pale gold vintage offers a bouquet of lemon, apple, cinnamon, baking spice, and vanillin oak. The rich, opulent palate has a sparkling acidity combined with ripe fruit, citrus, and chalky minerals. 

Price of Coche-Dury Meursault Les Chevalières 2013: $1,000+

9. Domaine Leroy Meursault Blagny Premier Cru 2009, Cote de Beaune, France

The Blagny Premier Cru 2009 offers a lovely nose of lemon oil, clove spice, and nuts. It is intense, decadent ripe fruit on the palate, finishing with good concentration and a great mineral complexity.

Price of Domaine Leroy Meursault Blagny Premier Cru 2009: $1,100+

10. Coche-Dury Meursault Rouge 2016, Cote de Beaune, France

This Meursault red offers aromas of raspberries, cherries, and violets. Medium-bodied, fleshy and succulent, it has chalky tannins that appear on the finish.

Price of Coche-Dury Meursault Rouge 2016: $400+

Now, where can you get the best Meursault wines? 

Should you browse through a hundred online wine portals, look for wine auctions, or walk into your local wine shop?   

There’s a simpler option.

To buy the best, age-worthy Meursault bottle for drinking or for cellaring, you could go through a wine investment platform like Vinovest.

Buy Rich Meursault and Other Wines Through Vinovest

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Follow these four simple steps:

1. Visit the Vinovest website and sign up.
2. Answer a questionnaire to let Vinovest know your risk appetite and investment preferences.
3. Top-up funds (a minimum of $1,000) in your account.
4. Watch your wine portfolio grow online!

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Rich White Burgundy for Your Cellar!

Meursault white wines prove that a climat doesn’t need to be grand cru to be considered a fine Burgundy! The premier cru status makes these wines a little more accessible, though no less valuable than grand cru wines.

Don’t forget the rare red Meursault that could be a worthwhile addition to your wine collection too. 

With Vinovest helping you, finding a delicious Meursault or any other wine for drinking or for long-term investing will be a breeze. 

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