Meursault

Meursault stands as the largest and most recognizable of Burgundy's white wine villages. While it lacks Grand Cru designation, its best Premier Crus—particularly Les Perrières—are widely considered Grand Cru quality, and prices reflect this reality. The village sits at the point where the Côte d'Or transitions from predominantly red (to the north) to predominantly white (to the south). The soils here are richer in clay and more calcareous, producing Chardonnay of unmatched opulence. Meursault's signature style emphasizes richness over austerity. Expect notes of butter, hazelnut, and toasted almonds alongside ripe orchard fruits. The wines are generous in youth yet develop fascinating savory complexity with age. Many producers use significant new oak, which marries beautifully with the fruit's natural richness. The three top Premier Crus occupy a hierarchy of their own: Perrières (most mineral and age-worthy, practically a Grand Cru), Genevrières (aromatic and supple), and Charmes (the most immediately appealing). Village-level Meursault from good producers offers remarkable quality and relative value.