Located in the Côte de Chalonnaise, Mercurey is renowned for both its reds and its whites, the latter of which are Chardonnays known for their hazelnut and almond notes with just a touch of flint. The Brintet history in Mercurey begins with the arrival of Jéhan Briétat from Italy in 1340, when he gained employment as a page at the Chateau de Montaigu. At the end of the 15th century, the name was transformed to Brintet and 100 years later, the family became owners of some vines in Mercurey. Flash forward several centuries and we find Luc Brintet and his wife Veronique heading their own 11.5-hectare domaine since 1984. The majority of their production is Pinot Noir, although they do make small amounts of excellent Chardonnay. The Vieilles Vignes wine comes from 65-year old vines grown on clay and limestone soils. The nose is full of golden fruits while additional notes of vanilla and spice coat the palate. The wine is approachable at a young age and with its finely tannic finish, will certainly age gracefully.

ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE: The Mercurey Vieilles Vignes from the Domaine Brintet is an excellent example of white Mercurey. It displays an attractive nose of spices and star anise and a mouth filled with spices intermingled with touches of coconut and oak. This silky textured, medium-to-full-bodied wine has a nice long finish and will last for 4-5 years