Joli Vin imports

Domaine Philippe Garrey - Mercurey

Long regarded as the address for the most serious red wines in the Côte Chalonnaise, wines with depth, character and complexity, the commune of Mercurey has both benefited but also been defined by some of the large négociant houses which have dominated most consumer’s knowledge of this commune for many years. Small production domaines, committed to organic winemaking is not what the appellation is known for. At least not yet anyway!

Located in the hamlet of Saint Martin-sous-Montaigu, just south of the village of Mercurey, Philippe Garrey took over production at the family domaine from his father in 2002, and began converting parcels which had been in the family name for generations, in the direction of biodynamic viticulture and winemaking. Blessed to have inherited some fantastic south facing parcels, dotted with varying amounts of pebbled limestone, he has since added two 1er Cru parcels of Pinot Noir bringing the total production to 3.5 hectares.

As with most of the producers focused on organic production, the hard work takes place in the vineyard. No amount of cellar magic will correct inattention in the vineyard and great labor in the vineyard year round, makes for relatively straightforward cellar work, especially when the goal is to intervene as little as possible and let the fruit speak for itself. From his diligent work managing the natural biodiversity in the vineyard which serves to keep yields low and the grapes from ballooning to excess, he produces ripe fruit giving his wines an impressive structure and depth of character. He neither fines nor filters his wines, and works only with the natural yeasts that live in the vineyards. Exercising restraint with the application of new wood in the ageing of his wines, the results are not flashy nor “made up” but rather, express themselves honestly, with transparency and precision, placing the emphasis on fruit and terroir.

Resisting the temptation to grow his operation beyond what he is capable of managing himself, Mr. Garrey is determined to keep his domaine at a size where he can personally oversee all aspects of his production and turn out first class wines equal to anything produced in the appellation if not to those of the celebrated villages of the Côte de Beaune to the north.

www.philippegarrey.com