Louis Latour Mercurey

Louis Latour Mercurey is a 100% Pinot Noir red Burgundy from the Côte Chalonnaise appellation, bottled at 13–13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2020 vintage earned 92 points from Wine Enthusiast, and the wine has received a Gold Medal at the USA Wine Ratings (2018 vintage), reinforcing Mercurey's reputation as one of the Côte Chalonnaise's most compelling village appellations.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13–13.5%  |  Origin: Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France  |  Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir  |  Winery: Maison Louis Latour

Production & Heritage

Maison Louis Latour, founded in 1797, is one of the oldest and most respected family-owned négociant-éleveur houses in Burgundy. Fermentation takes place in traditional open vats with full malolactic conversion, followed by 10–12 months of aging in stainless steel vats — a deliberate choice that preserves the purity of Pinot Noir fruit rather than layering in oak influence. At their historic Château Corton Grancey facility — the first purpose-built cuverie in France and the oldest still functioning — a unique railway and elevator system allows the entire winemaking process to be achieved by gravity alone, eliminating the risk of oxidation from unnecessary pumping of the must.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose is powerful and concentrated, opening with cherry skin and raspberry before revealing deeper layers of blackcurrant, violets, and undergrowth. Subtle herbal tones of thyme and sandalwood add complexity as the wine breathes.

Taste: The entry is round and generous, immediately delivering ripe red fruits — cherry and wild strawberry dominate the mid-palate. As it develops, spiced notes of liquorice emerge alongside earthy, mushroom-like depth. Silky tannins provide structure without harshness, and a fresh acidity keeps the wine balanced and lively.

Finish: The finish is medium to long, with lingering spice and a gentle echo of red fruit. Soft tannins and a clean mineral thread carry the wine to a satisfying close.

How to Drink Latour Mercurey

This Mercurey drinks beautifully at cellar temperature (14–16°C / 57–61°F), served neat in a Burgundy glass to allow the layered aromatics room to open. It benefits from 20–30 minutes of decanting but does not require it. As a food-friendly Burgundy, it also works well in these classic wine-forward contexts: a Coq au Vin, where the cherry and spice notes echo the braising liquid; a Boeuf Bourguignon, where its silky tannins match the slow-cooked richness; and alongside a cheese course featuring Époisses or Comté, where its earthy character finds a natural companion.

Best For

• Introducing a curious drinker to village-level Burgundy without the Côte d'Or price tag
• Pairing with a French bistro-style dinner party centered around roasted poultry or braised meats
• Gifting to a Pinot Noir enthusiast exploring Côte Chalonnaise appellations
• Building a Burgundy cellar collection with a reliable, vintage-to-vintage producer

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Latour Mercurey taste like? It delivers ripe cherry, wild strawberry, and blackcurrant fruit on a silky, medium-bodied frame, accented by liquorice, thyme, and earthy mushroom undertones. The tannins are fine-grained and the finish carries lingering spice.

How does Latour Mercurey compare to wines from Givry? Both are Côte Chalonnaise Pinot Noirs and frequently cited together as top-value Burgundy alternatives, but Mercurey tends to show slightly more body and concentration, while Givry often leans lighter and more floral. Louis Latour's stainless-steel aging and gravity-flow production give this bottling a particularly fruit-forward, clean expression compared to many oak-aged Givry wines.

Is Latour Mercurey good for Burgundy beginners? Yes — its approachable fruit purity, silky tannins, and moderate price tier make it an excellent entry point into red Burgundy from a historically trusted producer. The absence of oak aging means the Pinot Noir character is transparent and easy to appreciate.

Where is Latour Mercurey made? The grapes are sourced from the village appellation of Mercurey in the Côte Chalonnaise, a sub-region of Burgundy in eastern France. Vinification takes place at Maison Louis Latour's facilities, which include the historic Château Corton Grancey cuverie.

What foods pair well with Latour Mercurey? Roasted duck breast pairs well, as the wine's cherry fruit and soft tannins complement the richness of the meat. Grilled salmon works thanks to the wine's fresh acidity. Mushroom risotto mirrors the earthy, undergrowth notes on the nose. Aged Comté cheese echoes the wine's spice and depth, while charcuterie boards with saucisson sec offer a classic regional match.

What sizes does Latour Mercurey come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Latour Mercurey worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Burgundy that consistently over-delivers relative to its appellation tier — village-level Mercurey sits well below the cost of comparable Côte de Beaune or Côte de Nuits Pinot Noirs, and the 92-point Wine Enthusiast score on the 2020 vintage confirms strong critical validation for the investment.

Why Latour Mercurey?

What separates this bottling from much of the Mercurey field is the gravity-fed winemaking at one of France's oldest functioning cuveries, a process that protects the wine from oxidation at every stage. The decision to age entirely in stainless steel — unusual for red Burgundy at this level — strips away the oak mask and lets the terroir and fruit speak directly. A 92-point score from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold Medal from USA Wine Ratings place it among the most critically recognized wines in its appellation. For anyone seeking authentic Pinot Noir character from Burgundy's Côte Chalonnaise without the premium of the Côte d'Or, this is one of the most dependable bottles in the category.