A fresh, supple, and immediately approachable Mercurey Pinot Noir, created by Domaine Theulot-Juillot specifically to showcase the character of the appellation in an accessible style.
Simplement 2024 emphasizes juicy red fruit, freshness and finesse rather than extraction or power.
Cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry are complemented by delicate floral notes, subtle spice and a lightly toasted character. The palate is rounded and fruit-driven, with fresh acidity, gentle tannins and an easy, balanced finish.
An excellent introduction to both Mercurey and red Burgundy.
Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte Chalonnaise
Appellation: Mercurey AOC
Cuvée: Simplement
Vintage: 2024
Producer: Domaine Theulot-Juillot
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13% ABV
Origin: Hillsides of Mercurey
Aging: Oak Barrels
Style: Dry Red Burgundy
Domaine Theulot-Juillot created Simplement with a very specific purpose.
The family wanted to produce a wine that could introduce a wider audience to the character of Mercurey.
Rather than making an intentionally serious or heavily structured Burgundy, the objective was pleasure, accessibility, and drinkability.
It is aimed equally at those rediscovering Burgundy, guests beginning to explore Pinot Noir and experienced wine drinkers looking for a straightforward, enjoyable expression of Mercurey.
The domaine summarizes the wine particularly well:
Round · Delicate · Fruity · Lightly Toasted
The fruit comes from the hillsides of Mercurey in Burgundy's Côte Chalonnaise.
Although Simplement is deliberately made in an approachable style, Domaine Theulot-Juillot gives it the same fundamental attention as its more prestigious wines.
The grapes are harvested into small crates and carefully sorted before vinification.
The important distinction comes during winemaking.
The winemaker avoids heavy extraction and keeps intervention to a minimum.
The wine subsequently receives barrel aging, providing gentle texture and a lightly toasted character without sacrificing Pinot Noir's fresh fruit.
The result is deliberately uncomplicated:
fruit first, structure second.
Nose:
Fresh cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry, with subtle violet and gentle spice. With air, a lightly toasted note becomes apparent.
Palate:
Round, juicy, and immediately approachable. Red cherry and raspberry dominate, with fresh acidity providing energy and gentle tannins maintaining structure.
Structure:
Light to medium-bodied, with soft tannins and lively acidity. The emphasis is firmly on fruit, finesse, and drinkability rather than concentration.
Finish:
Clean and fresh, with lingering red berries, subtle spice and a gentle toasted note.
Simplement is exactly what its name suggests: an uncomplicated expression of Mercurey designed primarily for drinking pleasure.
Domaine Theulot-Juillot approaches the wine seriously in the vineyard and winery but deliberately avoids excessive extraction.
The 2024 vintage suits that philosophy particularly well.
Fresh cherry, raspberry and strawberry provide an attractive core of Pinot Noir fruit, while violet and subtle spice add aromatic complexity.
Barrel aging contributes gentle texture and a lightly toasted note without overwhelming the fruit.
The palate is round and juicy, with fresh acidity and fine, approachable tannins.
This is not a Mercurey that needs years of cellaring to become enjoyable.
Its appeal lies precisely in its freshness, fruit, and immediate accessibility.
The 2024 Burgundy vintage was challenging and produced a relatively small harvest, with significantly lower yields in many vineyards.
Despite those difficulties, Domaine Theulot-Juillot describes its 2024 Mercurey reds as round and juicy.
That character suits Simplement particularly well.
Rather than emphasizing structure or long-term aging, the wine showcases the fresh and attractive Pinot Noir fruit of the vintage.
Expect a relatively bright expression centered on red berries, freshness and moderate weight.
Drink: Now–2032
Preferred Window: 2026–2030
The 2024 is designed to be enjoyed young.
There is little reason to wait several years before opening it.
Today, the wine should emphasize cherry, raspberry, strawberry, and violet, with juicy fruit, fresh acidity, and gentle tannins.
Another year or two in the bottle should bring slightly greater integration, but I would not cellar Simplement specifically in search of substantial tertiary complexity.
Its greatest appeal should remain its youthful fruit and freshness.
With some bottle development, expect subtle notes of dried cherry, forest floor, mushroom, and gentle spice to emerge.
Serving Temperature: 14–16°C
Open approximately 15–30 minutes before serving.
No decanting is necessary.
During warmer months, I would happily serve this slightly cool, around 14–15°C, allowing it to warm naturally in the glass.
Simplement's juicy fruit, fresh acidity, and gentle tannins make it extremely versatile.
Recommended Pairings:
Charcuterie · Pâté · Roast Chicken · Grilled Chicken · Duck · Pork Tenderloin · Veal · Steak Frites · Beef Bourguignon · Mushroom Risotto · Grilled Mushrooms · Gruyère · Comté
It would also work particularly well as a slightly chilled red Burgundy alongside a casual lunch or grazing board.
This is the bottle I would recommend when a guest says:
“I would like a Burgundy, but nothing too heavy or serious.”
Serve it slightly cool alongside charcuterie, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, or mushroom dishes.
Its fresh red fruit and soft tannins also make it an excellent wine for drinking without food.
Within the Domaine Theulot-Juillot range, Simplement has an important role.
It is not intended to compete with Les Croichots, Les Combins or the domaine's other Premier Crus for complexity or longevity.
Instead, it provides an approachable first step into the domaine and into Mercurey itself.
Fresh · Juicy · Supple · Uncomplicated
That is precisely the point of Simplement.
