Chaintré - Sud Bourgogne - France
Discover our domain
Chaintré - Sud Bourgogne - France
Discover our domain
It all started in 2003. That year, Olivier Merlin set up a contract to buy the grapes from this plot: always looking for the best terroirs, the Cuvée de Pouilly-Fuissé « Clos des Quarts’ was born.
For 10 years, Olivier Merlin brought this historic terroir of the appellation Pouilly-Fuissé, which had been forgotten for over a century, back to the forefront.
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In 2011, learning of the sale of this beautiful property Mâconnaise, Olivier proposed to Dominique LAFON to acquire it jointly.
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They became owners in 2012, signing their first vintage together.
A few steps on this exceptional site were enough for Dominique to realize the qualitative potential of this terroir. They decided to share their experiences and their know-how to master the elaboration of this cuvée, convinced that it can claim to be one of the most important of the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation.
Olivier and Dominique have joined forces in equal shares, on a personal basis and independently of their structures, to create a new company under the name Château des Quarts. They are now the two managing directors.
Clos des Quarts is located in the village of Chaintré, the southernmost part of the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation, and its oldest vines were planted in 1917. Today, the total surface area of Clos des Quarts is 2 hectares and 65 ares.
Overlooking the Saône valley, this magnificent clos is protected by a high stone wall, giving it a position of Monopole.
Intense, toasty nose of peach and apricot refreshed by citrus. The fine woodiness gives way to almond, savory toastiness and a light spiciness wrapped in creaminess. The palate is fresh, smooth and with lovely crystalline acidity, its juicy middle exposing citrus and peach. Elegant, salivating finish, sapid with an almost mineral framework, slightly zesty, its toast mingles with spices and savory umami. Long, Chablisian.
Julia 91-92 / Bruno 93 – Magazine Vins & Gastronomie
On Saturday, November 21, 2020, the official journal of the French Republic published the decree approving the new 1er Crus specifications. We’re delighted to be able to claim our exceptional Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Crus as of the 2020 vintage.
This historic date marks the culmination of more than 12 years’ work, and we are particularly grateful to our Organisme de Défense et de Gestion and its President, Frédéric Marc Burrier.
Among the new production conditions redefined in the Pouilly-Fuissé 1ers crus PDO specifications:
-Compulsory 3-year soil rest between uprooting and replanting,
-Chemical weeding prohibited (the first appellation in France to have this obligation),
-Maximum yield of 56hl/ha,
-Wine aged at least until July 1 of the year following harvest.
The selected plots also meet topographical and pedological criteria: orientation, altitude, slope, soil type.
This is recognition not only for Pouilly-Fuissé, but also for Southern Burgundy and all Mâconnais wines.
Read the french news
Pouilly-Fuissé Premier Cru - L'Orangerie du Château des Quarts
Terroir
The two plots from which the grapes for this cuvée come are located on a plateau, close to the orangery of Château des Quarts (built in 1857), which was used in winter to protect exotic plants.
Surface area: 0.4845 ha
Secondary clay-limestone soil, middle and lower Bajocian, upper Aalenian (entrobic limestone)
Southeast exposure
Altitude: 230 m
Viticulture
Chardonnay grape variety
Density: 10,000 vines/ha
Planting year: 2015
Average yield: 51hl/ha
Non-certified organic farming, tillage, no chemical weedkillers, hand-picked.
Winemaking
Direct pressing, light settling in stainless steel tanks, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged 12 months in oak barrels and 6 months in stainless steel tanks. Racking then light filtration (kieselguhr) before bottling, no fining.
Tasting
Intense peach and citrus aromas give way to a light, integrated woodiness. The palate is marked by a clear balance between volume and freshness. Cellaring : 5 – 8 years
Revue de Presse
Intense, toasty nose of peach and apricot refreshed by citrus. The fine woodiness gives way to almond, savory toastiness and a light spiciness wrapped in creaminess. The palate is fresh, smooth and with lovely crystalline acidity, its juicy middle exposing citrus and peach. Elegant, salivating finish, sapid with an almost mineral framework, slightly zesty, its toast mingles with spices and savory umami. Long, Chablisian.
Julia 91-92 / Bruno 93 – Magazine Vins & Gastronomie
Pouilly-Fuissé Aux Quarts Premier Cru - Clos des Quarts Monopole
Terroir
Early situation, plot located at Les Quarts and surrounded by a high stone wall that gives it a monopoly. In the past, the “quart” was the best share reserved for the lord.
Surface area: 2.23 ha
Secondary clay-limestone soil, middle and lower Bajocian, upper Aalenian (entrobic limestone)
Southeast exposure
Altitude: 230 m
Slope: 8% inclination
Viticulture
To preserve this exceptional heritage, and given the very high age of the vines (70 years on average, with the oldest vines dating back to 1917), the MERLIN team applies very rigorous viticulture methods.
Chardonnay grape variety
Density: 10,000 vines/ha
Vine planting years: 1917, 1963
Average yield: 48 hl / ha
Non-certified organic farming, tillage, no chemical weedkillers, hand harvesting.
Winemaking
Chardonnay grapes are vinified by Olivier and Dominique at the Merlin winery in La Roche-Vineuse.
Direct pressing, light settling in stainless steel vats, alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in oak barrels. Aged for 18 months in barrel. Racking and light filtration before bottling. No fining.
Tasting
Harmonious nose of stone fruit (white peach). Discreet oak. On the palate, this cuvée is characterized by iodized notes that give way to great amplitude and elegance. Good ageing potential of 8 to 10 years.
