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Burgundy represents, for many, the epitome of world-class winemaking. Standing amongst the most historic Burgundian houses of this famed French region is Labouré-Roi. Established in 1832, this forward-thinking winery is today one of the appellation’s most successful and prolific producers with wines distributed to over thirty countries worldwide and annual sales revenues in excess of $70 million.

On each bottle of Labouré-Roi is the regal fleur-de-lys, the emblem of the French King Louis VII. While this house respects its remarkable heritage, it has embraced the future like few other Burgundian producers. Labouré-Roi’s winemaking facility is indeed one of the more technically-advanced within the region, with a cellaring capacity of 1,300 barrels. This supplements an impressive 16th century cellar, which is still used for storage and aging of select bottles.

Located in Nuits-Saint-George, Labouré-Roi has long been committed to making world-class wine accessible to all. To that end, it currently works with an impressive one hundred growers throughout nearly every major winemaking region of France, from regional appellations and the most celebrated Burgundy villages, to superlative Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. Labouré-Roi’s fine wines have over the years received numerous international awards and accolades.

Production Area
Meursault’s appellation of origin status dates from 1937, although vines were planted by the monks of Citeaux as early as 1098. Nowhere in the Côte de Beaune does the Chardonnay grape do better than it does here. The best soils have exposures along an arc between east and south. They consist of Jurassic marls, marly limestone, and patches of magnesium limestone. The vineyards for this wine are located at the top of the hills behind Volnay and Meursault, on the route taken by the “Chevaliers” (knights) in the Middle Ages to go from Beaune to Autun, where they met up with the pilgrimage route to Saint James of Compostello. The average age of the vines is 40 years.

Grape Varieties
100% Chardonnay

Vinification
Grapes are harvested and a very slow fermentation – average length 6 weeks – takes place to preserve the fruit. It is followed by 50% malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged 12 months in barrels (1/3 Allier new oak, 1/3 in 1-year-old oak, 1/3 in older barrels) before bottling.

Color
Green-gold, tending towards bronze as it ages. Brilliant, with silvery highlights

Bouquet
Ripe grapes, toasted almonds and hazelnuts in a floral (mayflower, elder, bracken, lime, verbena) and mineral (flint) setting. Butter, honey, and citrus fruits are also present.

Taste
On the palate it is rich with an appealing taste of hazelnut. Unctuous and fresh with a silky balance. Long and structured, it is a great wine for aging.

Alcohol
13%

Serving Suggestions
This wine has a natural affinity with fine-textured fish, meat, veal, poultry in white sauce, shellfish and blue cheeses.