A refined and mineral Premier Cru Chardonnay from one of Domaine Theulot-Juillot's distinctive high-altitude vineyards in Mercurey.
Les Saumonts 2024 combines citrus, orchard fruit and white flowers with subtle hazelnut, spice and restrained oak. The palate balances Chardonnay richness with fresh acidity and a mineral backbone, producing a white Burgundy with both immediate appeal and potential for further development.
The vineyard's relatively high altitude and slow ripening are central to its style, preserving freshness while allowing the Chardonnay to achieve full flavor maturity.
Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte Chalonnaise
Appellation: Mercurey Premier Cru AOC
Premier Cru: Les Saumonts
Vintage: 2024
Producer: Domaine Theulot-Juillot
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Altitude: 300–325 Metres
Exposure: South / South-West
Soils: Orange-Coloured Limestone-Clay with Small Fossils
Vineyard Planted: 1988
Harvest: Hand-Harvested
Style: Dry White Burgundy
Les Saumonts occupies an elevated position in the Mercurey vineyards, between approximately 300 and 325 meters above sea level.
The vineyard faces south to south-west and is planted on distinctive orange-coloured limestone-clay soils containing small fossil deposits.
Domaine Theulot-Juillot planted its parcel in 1988.
The combination of altitude and exposure gives Les Saumonts an interesting personality.
Despite its favorable southern orientation, the higher elevation means that the vineyard reaches maturity relatively slowly.
The estate therefore emphasizes the importance of patience at harvest, waiting until the Chardonnay achieves full physiological ripeness while retaining the freshness provided by its elevated position.
The result is a white Mercurey that combines ripeness, mineral definition and acidity.
The Chardonnay planted in Les Saumonts comes from a selection chosen for its naturally small berries and small, loosely formed bunches, encouraging good aeration and concentration.
The domaine farms with a strong emphasis on vineyard health, avoiding herbicides and controlling yields through careful vineyard work.
The domaine harvests by hand, transports the fruit in small crates, and sorts it before vinification.
The wine is matured in barrel, providing additional texture and complexity while allowing the mineral character of the vineyard to remain evident.
Nose:
Fresh lemon and citrus peel initially, followed by pear, white peach and delicate white flowers. With air, subtle notes of hazelnut, almond, gentle spice, and restrained toast emerge.
Palate:
Fresh and precise, with citrus and orchard fruit supported by a more rounded Chardonnay texture through the mid-palate.
Structure:
Medium-bodied, balancing ripe fruit and texture with fresh acidity. The higher-altitude vineyard adds tension and definition, while barrel maturation adds breadth.
Finish:
Persistent and mineral, with citrus, orchard fruit, subtle toasted almond, and a gently saline character.
Les Saumonts is one of Domaine Theulot-Juillot's most interesting white Premier Cru expressions.
The vineyard's identity comes from the interaction between its 300–325 meter altitude, south/south-west exposure and fossil-rich limestone-clay soils.
The southern exposure allows Chardonnay to ripen fully, while the elevation slows the maturation process and helps preserve acidity.
The vines, planted in 1988, are now old enough to deliver concentration without sacrificing freshness.
The 2024 Les Saumonts should therefore be understood as a white Burgundy built around balance rather than simple richness.
Citrus, pear and white peach provide the primary fruit, while barrel maturation introduces subtle hazelnut, almond and spice.
Fresh acidity and mineral tension provide the counterpoint.
The 2024 Burgundy vintage was considerably more challenging than the abundant 2022 and 2023 vintages.
Cooler and wetter conditions reduced yields significantly in many vineyards, but Chardonnay from well-managed sites can show excellent freshness and aromatic precision.
For a relatively high-altitude vineyard such as Les Saumonts, the key was achieving sufficient maturity without sacrificing the natural freshness of the site.
The resulting style should favor citrus, orchard fruit, freshness and mineral definition rather than the broader richness associated with warmer vintages.
Drink: 2026–2035
Preferred Window: 2027–2033
The 2024 can be approached young, particularly for those who enjoy white Burgundy for its citrus fruit, freshness, and mineral tension.
However, I would ideally give the wine another one to two years in the bottle.
From approximately 2027 onward, the fruit and barrel-derived characteristics should become more completely integrated.
Expect the youthful profile of lemon, pear, white peach, and flowers to gradually develop additional notes of:
Preserved Lemon · Hazelnut · Almond · Brioche · Beeswax · Mineral · Gentle Spice
The wine should be particularly attractive through the late 2020s and early 2030s.
Serving Temperature: 11–12°C
If drinking young, open approximately 20–30 minutes before serving.
You normally don't need to decant.
Use a reasonably generous white Burgundy glass rather than a narrow white-wine glass.
The combination of Chardonnay texture, acidity, and mineral character makes Les Saumonts particularly versatile with seafood and lighter meat dishes.
Recommended Pairings:
Osetra Caviar · Scallops · Langoustines · Lobster · King Crab · Turbot · Dover Sole · Sea Bass · Grilled Prawns · Roast Chicken · Veal · Morels · Mushroom Risotto · Comté · Gruyère
Pair Les Saumonts 2024 with scallops, langoustines, or turbot.
The wine has enough Chardonnay richness to complement butter-based sauces, while its acidity and mineral character prevent the combination from becoming heavy.
For a richer pairing, I would particularly like it with roast chicken with morels.
Serve at approximately 11–12°C in a Burgundy glass and allow the wine to warm gradually at the table.
For guests accustomed to Côte de Beaune Chardonnay, Les Saumonts is also a very good opportunity to demonstrate what serious Premier Cru white Burgundy from the Côte Chalonnaise can offer: Chardonnay texture and complexity, but with freshness, minerality, and very good food versatility.
