On 4 July 2024, the iDealwine team swapped the office for Burgundy in their Grand Day Out. It just so happened to be the day that the Tour de France came through this part of the world, passing through the same appellations that we were visiting. We paid two of our partner producers in the Côte Chalonnaise a visit. First, we went to Domaine des Rois Mages in Rully, then Château de Chamirey in Mercurey, before heading off for a sporty afternoon, either playing mini-golf or conquering treetop obstacle courses (we missed a trick by not cheering on cyclists in the Tour de France). Here’s a look back at the day that delighted the senses!
After a very early start in Paris, the team arrived in Burgundy in 1 hour and 20 minutes thanks France’s high-speed train, the TGV. Then, it was on to a bus to our first visit. Guesses about where we were going were flying around before we ended up in Rully.
First stop, Domaine des Rois Mages in Rully
On leaving the bus, we could stretch our legs, walking through the vines to reach Domaine des Rois Mages.
We were welcomed to the magnificent terrace by the winemaker, Felix Debavelaere, who came back to the family estate in 2009, and his wife Amicie, who is none other than our Burgundy buyer. After a welcomed breakfast, it was time to taste!
We tried four wines:
- Rully 2022 (white), served from a Jeroboam, which is produced from young, 30-year-old vines, planted on white clay soil. From this fresh terroir, we discovered a round, mineral and persistent wine.
- Rully Les Cailloux 2022 (white). This wine produced from grapes grown on a limestone terroir spent two winters ageing in oak barrels. Complexity and ampleness come together here.
- Rully Clos du Moulin 2022 (white). The vines grow on poor soil that could be likened to the shrubland found in southern France. The grapes are the first to be harvest and go on to produce a rich, creamy wine with a persistent palate.
- Rully Cailloux 2022 (red). An extremely fresh wine with beautiful notes of red and forest fruits. It can be enjoyed from now on.
A group photo on the beautiful terrace and then…
On to the winery to find out more about this part of the estate’s process.
A huge thank you to Felix and Amicie for such a warm reception.
Shop Domaine des Rois Mages wines
Second stop, Château de Chamirey in Mercurey
We hopped back on the bus and headed to Mercurey, another splendid appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise. At Château de Chamirey, brother and sister Aurore and Amaury Devillard work side by side. And it was Aurore who greeted us that day.
After presenting the estate and the wine it produces, we went to the terrace which overlooks the property’s vines. And with this beautiful view as a backdrop, the tasting started.
- Bourgogne Aligoté 2023 from Domaine des Perdrix , which is also owned by the family. Aligoté is a variety that has come back in fashion in recent years, but the estate has always kept its vines as it likes what the variety has to offer. The wine has beautiful white fruit and floral notes which paired beautifully with the sun’s rays that decided to shine as we sipped it.
- Mercurey En Pierrelet from Château de Chamirey 2022 (white). This wine starts its life on a thin limestone soil with stones that reflect the sunlight onto the grapes helping them ripen. The wine ages on its lees which are stirred during maturation in new wooden barrels and vats. The initial palate is lively before revealing the wine’s richness and finishing on a mouthwatering note. Simply splendid!
- Mercurey Premier Cru Clos du Roi 2022 from Château de Chamirey (red). This vineyard is 13 hectares large, and the estate works three plots within it. It creates a juicy, flavourful, structured wine with delicious Morello cherry notes. And it’s ready to drink.
- Echézeaux Grand Cru from Domaine des Perdrix 2022 (red). It was the first time that many of us tasted a wine from this famous grand cru. And the memory of it will stay with us forever. Even if can be left for another 20 years before uncorking, this wine is silky and possesses an amazing depth. We all enjoyed the small red and black fruit flavours it offered.
After Cyrille gave a small speech and we’d enjoyed a lunch full of the flavours of Burgundy, there was just enough time for a group photo before leaving the property.
Thank you so much to Aurore for opening the doors of the estate to us.
Third stop: A sporty afternoon spent in treetops or on the mini-golf course
Instead of staying to watch the Tour de France go by, we embarked on some team-building activities.
Are you team treetop obstacle course?
Or more team mini golf?
After a full day, we headed back to Paris with heads and palates full of new memories and flavours. A huge thank you once again to Domaine des Rois Mages and Château de Chamirey for their wonderful hospitality!
