2023 Thierry Pillot, Meursault, Les Narvaux

Thierry Pillot, a fourth-generation vigneron, champions a terroir-first philosophy at his family domaine, meticulously practicing organic viticulture and managing vine canopies to encourage optimal physiological ripeness. His Meursault 'Les Narvaux' originates from a high-altitude, 300m site featuring 45+ year-old Chardonnay vines, rooted in soils that impart a distinctive mineral core. Vinified with minimal intervention, the wine undergoes native yeast fermentation and extended élevage for 18 months, primarily in 350L oak barrels with a judicious 10-15% new wood, followed by stainless steel maturation to preserve purity and avoid lees stirring. The 2023 vintage, characterized by a warm growing season and generous yields, resulted in a Chardonnay that balances ripeness and density with surprising tartaric acidity and tension, offering a firm structure and a refined, opulent profile without excess. This approach yields a wine of precise balance, expressing both the vineyard's inherent character and the nuanced conditions of the vintage.