Mercurey Rouge 1er Cru, “Les Saumonts”

The 1er Cru “Saumonts” comes from a 1.1 hectare site.  The juice from this vineyard was first bottled as a separate cuvée in the 2000 vintage.  The vineyard is situated at the summit of a small amphitheatre with full southern exposure.  The vines are, on average, 40 years old and the red-tinted soil (salmon-colored, thus the name “Saumonts”) is composed largely of clay and sand.  This is a wine of great distinction and restraint with silky tannins and cherry-like fruit with an intriguing touch of rusticity.