2016 Mercurey Vieilles Vignes

Tupinier-Bautista has long been one of my favourite Côte Chalonnaise producers based down in Mercurey. “Manu” Bautista took over from his father Jacques Tupinier in 1997 and ratcheted up the quality across the Domaine’s 10 hectares of vine. With a brand new modern winery built in 2016, there is no doubt that Tupinier-Bautista will continue producing some of the finest Mercurey wines. There is an attention to detail here that sets them apart from other producers and, contrary to Manu’s ursine appearance (he looks like the kind of guy you wouldn’t want to pick a fight with), the wines are intense and built to last, yet are often more graceful and broad-shouldered than their peers. Along with Domaine François Raquillet, this Domaine demonstrates that Mercurey can produce excellent, well-priced wines.