A fresh, fruit-driven and classically Burgundian Pinot Noir from the Côte Chalonnaise, produced by the Theulot-Juillot family in Mercurey.
The 2024 Bourgogne Rouge Côte Chalonnaise emphasizes fresh strawberry, cherry and raspberry, complemented by subtle floral, earthy and spice notes.
The palate is supple and energetic, with bright acidity, fine tannins and restrained oak.
An approachable Burgundy designed primarily around fresh Pinot Noir fruit, balance and immediate drinking pleasure.
Region: Burgundy, France
Subregion: Côte Chalonnaise
Appellation: Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise
Vintage: 2024
Producer: Domaine Theulot-Juillot
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Vine Age: Approximately 30 Years
Harvest: Hand-Harvested
Destemming: 100%
Ageing: 11 Months
Tank Ageing: Approximately 15–20%
Barrel Ageing: Approximately 80–85%
New Oak: Maximum 10%
Style: Dry Red Burgundy
The Pinot Noir comes from approximately 30-year-old vines planted at the foot of the slopes surrounding Mercurey.
Here, the soils are dense, deep and relatively fertile, providing a different expression of Pinot Noir from the thinner, more mineral soils found higher on the Premier Cru slopes.
Domaine Theulot-Juillot manages the vineyards without herbicides, cultivating the soils mechanically.
Yields are controlled through careful disbudding and, when necessary, green harvesting.
The intention is to produce healthy, ripe Pinot Noir while retaining the freshness that defines the variety.
The grapes are harvested entirely by hand into small crates and sorted at the winery.
They are then 100% destemmed.
A short cold pre-fermentation maceration of approximately one to three days is followed by around 11 days of fermentation and maceration, with pigeage and remontage used for gentle extraction.
Ageing lasts approximately 11 months.
Around 15–20% of the wine remains in tank, while the balance matures in French oak barrels.
Importantly, new oak is limited to a maximum of approximately 10%.
This restrained use of new oak allows the fresh Pinot Noir fruit to remain the dominant characteristic.
After ageing, the components are blended in tank and allowed to clarify naturally before bottling.
Nose:
Fresh strawberry, red cherry and raspberry, accompanied by subtle violet, gentle spice and a restrained earthy note.
Palate:
Juicy and immediately approachable, with strawberry and cherry leading into raspberry and subtle savoury notes.
Fresh acidity gives the wine energy, while fine tannins provide gentle structure.
Structure:
Light to medium-bodied, with bright acidity and supple tannins. Oak influence is deliberately restrained, keeping the emphasis firmly on fresh Pinot Noir fruit.
Finish:
Clean and refreshing, with lingering cherry, strawberry and gentle spice.
Domaine Theulot-Juillot Bourgogne Rouge Côte Chalonnaise 2024 is an excellent introduction to the domaine's Pinot Noir.
The wine is produced with essentially the same attention to detail found further up the estate's hierarchy: hand harvesting, sorting, complete destemming and careful maturation.
The difference lies primarily in the terroir and intended style.
The deeper soils at the foot of the slopes produce a Pinot Noir centred on fresh fruit and accessibility rather than concentration and long-term ageing.
Strawberry and cherry dominate, accompanied by raspberry, subtle floral notes and gentle spice.
The restrained use of new oak—no more than approximately 10%—is particularly important, allowing the purity of the Pinot Noir to remain clearly visible.
The result is a genuine everyday red Burgundy: fresh, supple, versatile and immediately recognizable as Pinot Noir.
The 2024 Burgundy vintage was challenging and produced substantially smaller yields than the generous 2022 and 2023 vintages.
For red Burgundy, the vintage generally places greater emphasis on freshness, aromatic clarity and moderate weight rather than the concentration associated with warmer years.
That profile suits this Bourgogne Rouge particularly well.
The wine's natural role is not to provide power or extended cellaring potential, but rather to showcase fresh strawberry and cherry fruit, acidity and Pinot Noir finesse.
Drink: Now–2030
Preferred Window: 2026–2029
The 2024 is ready to drink now.
There is no particular advantage in waiting several years before opening it.
In its youth, the wine should emphasize fresh strawberry, cherry and raspberry, with lively acidity and gentle tannins.
Over the next two to three years, the fruit should become slightly softer and more integrated.
With further development, subtle notes of dried cherry, forest floor, mushroom and gentle spice may begin to emerge.
The domaine itself recommends approximately 3–5 years of cellaring, reinforcing the idea that this is a Burgundy to enjoy for its freshness rather than hold for extended maturation.
Serving Temperature: 14–16°C
Open approximately 15–30 minutes before serving.
No decanting is necessary.
During warmer months, I would happily serve this wine slightly cool, around 14–15°C, allowing it to warm naturally in the glass.
The combination of fresh Pinot Noir fruit, acidity and gentle tannins makes this an exceptionally versatile food wine.
Recommended Pairings:
Charcuterie · Pâté · Roast Chicken · Grilled Chicken · Duck · Pork Tenderloin · Veal · Steak Frites · Beef Bourguignon · Mushroom Risotto · Grilled Mushrooms · Gruyère · Comté
Pair with charcuterie, roast chicken or pork tenderloin.
The wine's strawberry and cherry fruit works naturally with poultry and pork, while its fresh acidity makes it particularly useful alongside richer sauces.
It would also be excellent served slightly chilled with a charcuterie and cheese board.
This is not a bottle that needs ceremony.
Open it, serve it slightly cool and enjoy the freshness of the Pinot Noir.
Since you now have both wines, I would keep their positioning clearly separated.
Bourgogne Rouge Côte Chalonnaise 2024
Strawberry · Cherry · Fresh · Light · Classic · Everyday Burgundy
Mercurey “Simplement” 2024
Cherry · Raspberry · Juicier · Rounder · Slightly More Structured
The Bourgogne Rouge is the more straightforward regional expression—fresh, delicate and centred on pure Pinot Noir fruit.
Simplement moves into the Mercurey appellation and offers somewhat greater roundness and depth.
From there, the progression into Mercurey Vieilles Vignes and the individual Premier Crus allows guests to explore progressively greater concentration, terroir definition and ageing potential.
For an entry point into the Theulot-Juillot range, the Bourgogne Rouge performs exactly the role it should: an authentic, approachable and food-friendly Pinot Noir from the Côte Chalonnaise.
