Olivier Merlin

Domaine Olivier Merlin is owned by Corinne and Olivier Merlin, who settled in the Mâcon area in 1987. Today it extends over more than 15 hectares in the Mâconnais region and in the Moulin à Vent appellation, with 10,5 hectares owned and another 4,5 hectares worked under a tenancy agreement. Aware of the importance of ensuring a smooth succession on the domaine, they are delighted to announce that their two sons have now joined the family business. Winemakers, Paul and Théo Merlin, will be producing their first vintage on the Domaine in 2018. In January 1987, Corinne and Olivier Merlin decided to settle in the Mâcon area and they took over an old wine domaine in La Roche Vineuse, "This is where we decided to live and work, not due to a family inheritance, but because we like it here", says the couple. They were inspired by the domaine located in the Mâconnais wine region, where they were convinced they could produce great wines, respecting the fundamentals of good viticulture (ploughing the soil and harvesting by hand) and good winemaking (slow pressing of the grapes in whole bunches, fermentation and aging in oak barrels). Today, with their two sons joining them, they want to preserve the domaine’s family size and spirit and are taking the time to pass on their skills and expertise.

A rich, deep and balanced Chardonnay, showing the inherent power of older vines. There is buttered apple, integrated minerality and a lovely creamy texture to the finish. Steely acidity matches the ripe fruit, and there is a touch of sweet oak on the finish. Long, complex, more Cote d'Or than Maconnais!

Delicious with pan fried scallops with pancetta, sage and puy lentils.

Handpicked from vines of around 65-80 years old, gently pressed with a lot of free-run juice, the wine is 100% barrel fermented, 10% of which is new, and aged for a further one year in barrel.