2011 Francois Mikulski Meursault Perrières

Francois Mikulski inherited much of his Meursault domaine from his late uncle, Pierre Boillot. Mikulski worked for his uncle in the vineyards and eventually as winemaker for several decades before formally taking charge in the early 1990s. The Pierre Boillot label was used until Boillot’s death in 2004. After Boillot’s death all the wine began carrying Mikulski’s name. The 20-acre estate has Premier Cru parcels in Meursault and Volnay, and the estate also makes village wines. Of special note is the estate’s Les Gouttes d’Or and Les Caillerets Premier Crus. The Les Caillerets is a rare Meursault red wine. Mikulski produces about 4,000 cases a year, and Clive Coates calls him “an intelligent man with a biological approach to viticulture….These are very good wines.”

Les Perrieres is 34-acre Premier Cru vineyard in Meursault, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. The vineyard includes several sub parcels. They are the 2.4-acre monopole Clos des Perrieres, which belongs to Domaine Albert Grivault, and Les Perrieres Dessous. Because Les Perrieres is in southern Meursault next to Puligny, the Les Perrieres Meursaults are considered to have more minerality than other Meursaults. Burgundy writer Clive Coates has noted that “Perrieres is perhaps the most elegant and persistent of the premier crus. At its best, it is positively brilliant…” Since Meursault lacks a Grand Cru, Meursault’s reputation for excellence is based on the Premier Crus, particularly the whites.

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.