2017 Chateau De Santenay Mercurey Blanc
2017 Chateau De Santenay Mercurey Blanc Pale shiny gold. Very expressive on the nose with fresh, sharp aromas supported by floral notes, a superb but very mellow oak presence and a hint of fresh hazelnuts. The palate of this 2017 wine has a lovely structure and balance, with fresh floral aromas as well as hints of white peach and minerality. A wine of great precision. This wine is in honor of the Duke Philippe Le Hardi. The most important person in Burgundy Viticulture. Chateau de Santenay was once the residence of the Duke of Burgundy Philippe Le Hardi (Philippe the Bold) (1342-1404) who was the first and foremost ambassador of Burgundy and its great wines.
Chardonnay Wine
Chardonnay is the world’s most famous white-wine grape and also one of the most widely planted. Although the most highly regarded expressions of the variety are those from Burgundy and California, many high-quality examples are made in Italy, Australia, New Zealand and parts of South America. Describing the flavors of Chardonnay is not easy. While many Chardonnay wines have high aromatic complexity, this is usually due to winemaking techniques (particularly the use of oak) rather than the variety’s intrinsic qualities.
Malolactic fermentation gives distinctive buttery aromas. Fermentation and/or maturation in oak barrels contributes notes of vanilla, smoke and hints of sweet spices such as clove and cinnamon. Extended lees contact while in barrel imparts biscuity, doughy flavors. Because of this high level of winemaker involvement, Chardonnay has become known as the “”winemaker’s wine””. The variety itself (although often said to be relatively flavor-neutral) is responsible for most of the fruity flavors found in Chardonnay wines. These range from the tropical (banana, melon, pineapple and guava) to stonefruits (peach, nectarine and apricot), citrus and apples. Climate plays a major role in dictating which fruit flavors a Chardonnay will have. Broadly speaking, warm regions such as California, Chile and much of Australia tend to give more tropical styles.