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The known origin of this domaine dates back to the French Revolution and the original holdings of the Latour family. In 1958 Pierre Latour married the only daughter of Charles Giraud, thus uniting the two family domaines. Pierre’s son, Jean-Pierre, has been managing the domaine since 1993 and is assisted by his sister Florence.
WINEMAKER: Jean-Pierre Latour
FARMING: Sustainable
VARIETIES: Chardonnay
VINEYARD/TERROIR NOTES: This very famous climate of 16 hectares is situated in the highest vineyards of the village (on top of the last 1er Crus). Produced on thin and poor soil and substratum (multiple rows of lava), the wine takes the best features of the soil
VINIFICATION NOTES: After a gentle pressing of whole clusters, fermentation is initiated in stainless steel vats using indigenous yeasts and once it is underway, the must is transferred to barrels. Batonnage and percentage of new oak both vary depending on the vintage and the cru. The wines are aged on the lees while in barrel and only racked in the fall just before the next vintages is harvested.
Tasting Notes: Cellar up to 7-10 years. Enjoy with food! Narvaux is known for its concentration and longevity on the palate, complemented by nutty minerality and razor sharp acidity.
Scores: 93 Points, Jasper Morris
From our 2023 Q2 Serious Inquiries Only Bottle Club:
Domaine Latour-Giraud, Meursault-Narvaux, Burgundy, France 2020
In the realm of exquisite wines, the name Latour-Giraud bears immense weight. With a rich and storied history dating back to the French Revolution, the estate has solidified its position as one of the leading producers of white Burgundy. Today, the estate is expertly managed by Jean-Pierre Latour and his sister Florence, the latest in a olong line of Latour family members to run the Domaine. In 1958, their father, Pierre Latour, married the only daughter of Charles Giraud, and the two family domaines were united. Since then, Latour-Giraud has flourished, earning universal acclaim for its wines, with critics hailing the exceptional quality of the grapes and winemaking techniques used to produce them. As Allen Meadows of Burghound notes, "this domaine is slowly but surely becoming a source of really first-class quality." Clive Coates, in his book The Wines of Burgundy, describes Latour-Giraud as "one of the best sources in the village for some time now."
The 2020 vintage for Meursault was generally great despite a difficult start to the growing season with a cold and wet spring. But the summer months were warm and dry, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly and fully. The Narvaux plot is set high on the rocky slope overlooking the village of Meursault, just above the premier cru of Genevrières, boasting calcareous and low-clay soil. The vineyard enjoys ample sunlight and a refreshing breeze, creating an ideal microclimate. The Narvaux vineyard is a lieu-dit, a named vineyard site in Burgundy that is renowned for producing wines of complexity and elegance that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any of the premier crus in the region.
One of the keys to the estate's success lies in its unwavering commitment to organic and sustainable viticulture. Without resorting to synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, Jean-Pierre Latour employs a strict de-budding technique that controls yields, forcing the vines to focus on limited grape clusters, ensuring a deep concentration of flavors in the finished wines. The harvest commences early in the season, preserving the grapes' freshness and acidity, and the grapes undergo gentle pressing before native yeasts spark a fermentation in stainless steel vats. Once fermentation starts, the grape must is transferred to barrels and aged on the lees, with the percentage of new oak and batonnage (lees stirring) varying with the vintage. In the fall, the wines are racked before the next vintage is harvested, resulting in wines that are lively, fresh, creamy, and bursting with flavor.
Pouring a pale gold hue, the young Meursault exudes an enticing bouquet of citrus fruits, white flowers, and a hint of minerality. On the palate, the wine is fresh and lively, with crisp notes of lemon, bosc pear, and subtle hints of honeycomb, river stones, and nutmeg. The wine culminates in a long and complex finish, rounding out with a rich mouthfeel marked by a subtle vanilla character and a lingering acidity. Top-quality Meursault Narvaux like this can age 10-15 years or even longer, developing rich aromas of honey, hazelnut, and dried fruit, while maintaining their acidity and minerality. Meursault is a versatile wine that pairs well with a range of foods, particularly those with rich, creamy, or earthy flavors, like a decadent lobster roll, wild mushroom risotto, or the perfect roast chicken, Zuni Cafe style. — Cara Patricia Scores: 93 Points, Jasper Morris
