Domaine Pillot - En Sazenay 2005 Tasting Notes

Mercurey rouge Premier Cru En Sazenay 2002
Mercurey rouge 2003

This year’s Premier Cru En Sazenay is from the outstanding 2002 vintage that was particularly successful here in the Côte Chalonnaise.  A long, hard winter eventually gave way to a warm spring and a cool, dry summer.  A small amount of rain fell at the beginning of September before clear skies returned for the harvest.  The resulting crop had high levels of natural alcohol (12-13%) and very good concentrations of natural sugar.  This wine’s dark cherry and spice flavours will develop extra complexity in bottle over the next five years - definitely a vintage to keep if you can resist temptation.  

This year’s Mercurey Village is from the canicule (heatwave) vintage of 2003 - and is ready to drink now.  The exceptionally hot, dry weather following some late spring frosts resulted in a very low yield, which in turn led to a high concentration of natural sugars and flavours coupled with low acidity in both the red and white grapes - hardly typical of burgundy.  Despite the fact that 2003 is completely different from the ‘classic’ Burgundy vintage of 2002, it is nevertheless outstanding - albeit for relatively early drinking over the next 2-3 years rather than cellaring.