Philippe Bouzereau Meursault Clos de la Croix Noire 2023
An elegant and charming Meursault, with subtle buttery notes and delicate floral aromas. Creamy and smooth, underpinned by marked minerality and an explosion of floral notes on the palate, through to a long, buttery finish.
Clos de la Croix Noire is a distinguished ‘climat’ located within the Meursault appellation. Its name, referencing a historic black cross, marks a site steeped in winemaking history, dating back to the 12th century when Cistercian monks first recognised its potential for viticulture. The soil is predominantly limestone-rich, and the vineyard has a southeastern exposure. This terroir, combined with meticulous vineyard management, contributes to the depth, complexity, and ageing potential of the cuvée, which typically displays a balance of minerality and rich fruit flavours. The vineyard's location near the top of an escarpment is thought to contribute to the wine’s natural freshness. The vineyard is currently in conversion to organic status and is cultivated using new agro-ecological practices and without the use of synthetic preparations. The vines are hand-harvested.
The Chardonnay grapes were hand-picked into 25 kg cases to preserve the quality of the fruit. A rapid pressing was followed by static settling. The juice was then transferred to barrels, comprising 30% in a selection of 228-litre barrels, 30% in 310-litre barrels, and 30% in one 1,200-litre cask, with selected lees and without the addition of sulphur. Fermentation, both alcoholic and malolactic, occurred spontaneously with wild yeasts in barrel. After ageing, the wine was racked and then spent a further five months maturing in tank.
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Alcoholic strength | 14% |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| Subregion | Meursault |
| Grapes | Chardonnay 100% |
| Dry/Sweet value | 1 |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | In Conversion |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Diam |
The Bouzereau family has been growing vines in Meursault for nine generations, dating back to the 18th century. The current Château de Cîteaux was established by Philippe Bouzereau (senior) in the 1960s. His son Philippe (junior) took over the running of the estate in 2006, having completed his studies in Beaune and worked vintages in Beaujolais, Australia and New Zealand and has now been joined by his brother Charles. The 18 hectares of vines are cultivated according to the principles of la ‘Lutte Raisonnée’, or sustainable farming. Philippe passionately believes in letting the wine express its terroir, through minimum intervention in the winery and a judicious use of oak. He has certainly achieved this, as the resulting wines are rich, concentrated and showcase the terroir beautifully.
