Les Bois de Lalier Blanc Mercurey AOP - Philippe le Hardi

The Les Bois de Lalier Blanc Mercurey AOP - Philippe le Hardi flows into the glass in a bright straw yellow with luminous reflections. Delicate silver nuances add freshness to the play of colors and underline the elegant appearance of this Burgundy. Already with the first swirl, a multi-layered bouquet unfolds, combining concentrated varietal aromas with fine notes of wood.

On the nose, ripe apple, juicy pear and a hint of yellow peach appear. In addition, there are nuances of vanilla, toasted wood and a fine hint of brioche. With a little air, further notes of roasted hazelnuts and a subtle hint of citrus zest open up. This complexity gives the wine depth without ever making it seem heavy.

On the palate, the Les Bois de Lalier Blanc Mercurey AOP - Philippe le Hardi shows a creamy texture that lays silkily across the tongue. The juicy, well-integrated acidity brings tension, while a harmonious melt coats the mid-palate. Flavors of ripe apple, baked quince and a hint of vanilla combine with fine toasted notes from the wood. The finish is long, carried by nutty tones and a precise mineral streak.

This Chardonnay from the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise presents an elegant Burgundian style. The structure appears clear and defined, the freshness carries the wine right through to the finale. Finely interwoven notes of wood frame the fruit without overpowering it. The tannins from the barrique are very delicate and fine, serving more as a structuring frame than as a dominant component.

The Chardonnay grape shapes the character with its typical combination of richness, fruit and finesse. The Mercurey growing area in Burgundy is one of the most exciting origins for characterful white wines with expression and depth. Limestone and clay soils give the wine its mineral contour and its distinctive length on the palate.

• Type of wine: white wine, dry
• Grape variety: Chardonnay, single-varietal
• Origin: Mercurey AOP, Burgundy, France
• Alcohol content: 13.0% vol
• Texture: creamy, with elegant melt
• Aromatics: ripe apple, vanilla, toasted wood, nutty notes
• Closure: cork, Burgundy bottle, classic design

1. Intense, multi-layered bouquet with fruit and spice
2. Creamy palate with fine acidity structure
3. Elegant maturation in wooden casks with perfectly integrated toasted notes
4. Characterful Chardonnay from a renowned Burgundy terroir

Production of Les Bois de Lalier Blanc Mercurey AOP - Philippe le Hardi

The grapes for Les Bois de Lalier Blanc Mercurey AOP - Philippe le Hardi come from selected parcels around Mercurey in the Côte Chalonnaise. Here, a moderate, slightly continental climate meets limestone soils with a clay layer. During the day, the sun ensures optimal ripeness, while at night the temperatures cool down significantly and preserve the freshness of the grapes.

The vines root deep in the limestone subsoil, which is responsible for the distinctive minerality. The clay components in the soil additionally provide structure and volume. This combination of limestone and clay shapes the style of the wine and gives it its characteristic balance between richness and elegance.

The harvest is carried out selectively, parcel by parcel, in order to obtain only fully ripe, aromatically dense Chardonnay grapes. A first selection already takes place in the vineyard, so that only flawless fruit reaches the cellar. The grape clusters are kept as intact as possible to preserve the delicate fruit.

In the cellar, Château Philippe le Hardi relies on gentle processing. After pressing, the must flows clear and clean into the fermentation vessels. One part undergoes fermentation in stainless steel tanks, another part in carefully selected oak barrels. This combination gives the wine both freshness and clarity, as well as its creamy melt.

During maturation, the wine remains on the fine lees for several months. Regular stirring of the lees promotes fullness on the palate and brings additional complexity to the aroma and flavor. Gentle aging in wood imparts notes of vanilla, toasted wood and fine nuttiness without overshadowing the varietal fruit.

The style of the Philippe le Hardi estate stands for precision, elegance and terroir-driven wines. Every step of the work pursues the goal of bringing the origin Mercurey authentically into the bottle. As a result, the Chardonnay presents itself expressive, structured and with a clear Burgundian signature.

Serving recommendations for Les Bois de Lalier Blanc Mercurey AOP - Philippe le Hardi

Les Bois de Lalier Blanc Mercurey AOP - Philippe le Hardi unfolds its strengths particularly impressively in combination with the right cuisine. Light and hearty dishes gain a stylish companion with depth and elegance in this Chardonnay.

The wine pairs excellently with poultry dishes with creamy sauces. Roast corn-fed poulard, veal ragout or a tender pork fillet with cream sauce harmonize ideally with the creamy texture and subtle notes of wood. This Burgundy also shows itself very well matched with salmon, char or cod in butter sauce.

• Light meat dishes with creamy sauces
• Roasted or steamed fish, shellfish
• Creamy vegetable dishes, e.g. mushroom risotto
• Mild, slightly nutty cheeses

As a food companion for festive occasions, for an elegant dinner or for a pleasurable evening with friends, this wine makes a confident statement in the glass. It also offers a stylish tasting experience on its own by the fireplace or on the terrace for demanding Chardonnay lovers.

The optimal serving temperature is around 11 to 13 °C. In this range, the wine displays its creamy texture, its fine acidity and its multi-layered aromatics with full expressiveness. A classic white wine glass with a slightly bulbous shape is particularly suitable, allowing the bouquet to unfold generously.

With good storage in a cool, dark room without strong temperature fluctuations, this Mercurey preserves its freshness and elegance for several years. Horizontal storage of the bottles keeps the cork permanently surrounded by wine and thus protects the quality. Over time, additional maturation aromas such as nutty and slightly honeyed nuances develop, making the character appear even more complex.

Les Bois de Lalier Blanc Mercurey AOP - Philippe le Hardi combines Burgundian tradition, terroir-driven aromatics and refined cellar craftsmanship into a white wine that delights discerning connoisseurs and turns every glass into a special moment.

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