Chateau des Quarts
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Chateau des Quarts,
Ready, but will improve,
The fear with removing the oldest vines from a blend is that the main bottling might suffer, but the average age of the other vines is still impressive at over 50 years old and the result is a wine of real intensity, with arguably more freshness, purity and elegance than usual. An ethereal and delicate expression of the clos. Drink 2020-2026.
Château des Quarts was created in 2012 by two of our favourite vignerons, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, who are old friends. The vineyard is managed by Olivier and the wine made in his facility at La Roche Vineuse. This monopole vineyard of 2.23 hectares in Chaintré is surrounded by a high stone wall, facing east, overlooking the Saône valley. The 2017 vintage saw the 100-year anniversary of the planting of the oldest parcel of vines in the Clos des Quarts. The key to their longevity is riparia rootstock and an old-school training and pruning regime.
To celebrate the centenary, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, custodians of the special property and vineyard, have decided to bottle the wine made from these ancient vines separately. Production is 10 barrels, equating to just 1,500 magnums, which are offered in individual wooden cases.
Château des Quarts was created in 2012 by two of our favourite vignerons, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, who are old friends. The vineyard is managed by Olivier and the wine made in his facility at La Roche Vineuse. This monopole vineyard of 2.23 hectares in Chaintré is surrounded by a high stone wall, facing east, overlooking the Saône valley. The 2017 vintage saw the 100-year anniversary of the planting of the oldest parcel of vines in the Clos des Quarts. The key to their longevity is riparia rootstock and an old-school training and pruning regime.
To celebrate the centenary, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, custodians of the special property and vineyard, have decided to bottle the wine made from these ancient vines separately. Production is 10 barrels, equating to just 1,500 magnums, which are offered in individual wooden cases.
Chateau des Quarts,
Ready, but will improve,
Its pure, translucent colour heralds a very noble nose, which delivers a real sense of class. Truly intense and very smartly balanced, this is both long and pure. Its abundant minerals tingle the tongue. This is a brilliant, glorious wine.
This is the third vintage at this joint venture, and the best to date. Olivier and Dominique are now able to run the vineyards absolutely as they wish, to excellent effect, and indeed a new block on the plateau (alongside the château) has now been planted. All that remains is to restore the building itself… Any volunteers?
This is the third vintage at this joint venture, and the best to date. Olivier and Dominique are now able to run the vineyards absolutely as they wish, to excellent effect, and indeed a new block on the plateau (alongside the château) has now been planted. All that remains is to restore the building itself… Any volunteers?
Chateau des Quarts,
Ready, but will improve,
Favourite Newcomer
A new joint venture from two of the top names in the White Burgundy business – Olivier Merlin and Dominique Lafon – this is benchmark Pouilly-Fuisse. Concentrated yellow fruit on the nose, with a saline minerality and fresh streak at the heart of the wine. A very fine effort for this debut vintage.
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager
This debut vintage – a small crop, but not ridiculously so – is exceptionally promising. There is a superb wealth of flavour, very graceful, yet also with muscle. Behind there is a steely backbone with superb length and real style. This will become a reference point for Pouilly-Fuissé.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director
This domaine was created in 2012 by two of our favourite vignerons, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, who are old friends. The vineyard is being managed by Olivier Merlin and the wine made in his facility at La Roche Vineuse. The Château des Quarts itself is in semi-ruined condition but, along with the vineyard, has a marvellous position at the top of the slope looking across the valley of the Saône towards the Alps. The vineyard of 2.25ha is enclosed by high stone walls and mostly planted with old vines. This is a very exciting addition to the Mâconnais scene.
A new joint venture from two of the top names in the White Burgundy business – Olivier Merlin and Dominique Lafon – this is benchmark Pouilly-Fuisse. Concentrated yellow fruit on the nose, with a saline minerality and fresh streak at the heart of the wine. A very fine effort for this debut vintage.
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager
This debut vintage – a small crop, but not ridiculously so – is exceptionally promising. There is a superb wealth of flavour, very graceful, yet also with muscle. Behind there is a steely backbone with superb length and real style. This will become a reference point for Pouilly-Fuissé.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director
This domaine was created in 2012 by two of our favourite vignerons, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, who are old friends. The vineyard is being managed by Olivier Merlin and the wine made in his facility at La Roche Vineuse. The Château des Quarts itself is in semi-ruined condition but, along with the vineyard, has a marvellous position at the top of the slope looking across the valley of the Saône towards the Alps. The vineyard of 2.25ha is enclosed by high stone walls and mostly planted with old vines. This is a very exciting addition to the Mâconnais scene.
Chateau des Quarts,
Ready, but will improve,
From the very first nose, this wine is utterly charming, with exuberant fruit and an undercurrent of chalky minerals. The palate is at once creamy and stony, with real finesse and elegance courtesy of a saline, citrus acidity. What’s most impressive, however, is the level of detail, which is more than a match for many a grander name in the Côte de Beaune. Drink 2021-2028.
Chateau des Quarts,
For laying down,
The initial palate is discreet, before exploding with an enormous amount of concentration, plenty of mouthfilling volume and an extraordinary minerality which builds behind the dense fruit. The finish is long and satisfying, with a chewy, phenolic grip. This is a true one-off, a wine of enormous density, power and focus. Drink 2021-2032.
Château des Quarts was created in 2012 by two of our favourite vignerons, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, who are old friends. The vineyard is managed by Olivier and the wine made in his facility at La Roche Vineuse. This monopole vineyard of 2.23 hectares in Chaintré is surrounded by a high stone wall, facing east, overlooking the Saône valley.
The 2017 vintage saw the 100-year anniversary of the planting of the oldest parcel of vines in the Clos des Quarts. The key to their longevity is riparia rootstock and an old-school training and pruning regime. To celebrate the centenary, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, custodians of the special property and vineyard, have decided to bottle the wine made from these ancient vines separately. Production is 10 barrels, equating to just 1,500 magnums, which are offered in individual wooden cases.
Château des Quarts was created in 2012 by two of our favourite vignerons, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, who are old friends. The vineyard is managed by Olivier and the wine made in his facility at La Roche Vineuse. This monopole vineyard of 2.23 hectares in Chaintré is surrounded by a high stone wall, facing east, overlooking the Saône valley.
The 2017 vintage saw the 100-year anniversary of the planting of the oldest parcel of vines in the Clos des Quarts. The key to their longevity is riparia rootstock and an old-school training and pruning regime. To celebrate the centenary, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, custodians of the special property and vineyard, have decided to bottle the wine made from these ancient vines separately. Production is 10 barrels, equating to just 1,500 magnums, which are offered in individual wooden cases.
Showing 1-5 out of 5 items
Château des Quarts was created in 2012 by two of our favourite vignerons, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin, who are old friends. The vineyard is being managed by Olivier Merlin and the wine made in his facility at La Roche Vineuse.
More than a decade ago, renowned winemaker Olivier Merlin (dubbed – naturally – 'the wizard of the Mâconnais'), began an extraordinary story. He was looking for a vineyard which would represent the very best terroir in the Pouilly-Fuissé appellation; when the opportunity to obtain a parcel of grapes from the Clos des Quarts came his way, he knew his search was at an end.
On learning that this beautiful Mâconnais property was for sale, Merlin approached Dominique Lafon, a producer of equal repute, to form a partnership. Drawing on their shared expertise and savoir-faire, these two vignerons were convinced that they could produce a wine that would be essence of a great Pouilly-Fuissé. In 2012, Château des Quarts was born.
The vineyard, Clos des Quarts, is located in Chaintré, the southernmost village of Pouilly-Fuissé. This monopole (under single ownership) vineyard of 2.23 hectares is surrounded by a high stone wall, overlooking the the Saône valley. The oldest vines are approaching their centenary, having been planted in 1937. They face east on a gentle slope comprising clay-limestone soil which is free-draining, making it the ideal site for the production of quality grapes.
For the debut vintage of their collaboration, Merlin's team were rigorous in their viticulture, working hard to preserve the site's unique heritage. The grapes were vinified by both Olivier and Dominique in Merlin's cellars at La Roche-Vineuse. Currently, the 2012 wines are maturing in barrel and are due to be bottled this spring. From what we've seen so far, this is a graceful and promising wine – “A reference point” for Pouilly-Fuissé, says Jasper Morris, MW – and a very exciting addition to the Mâconnais wine scene.