Introduction to French Wine From Chateau de Garnerot
Mar 10, 2024
At the initiative of Alexia Russo and Caroline Fyot, this beautiful residence in Mercurey is reconnecting with its wine-growing vocation. The two new winegrowers took over the Château in 2019 but also the vines, currently being converted to organic…
“A foolproof duo (…) at a crossroads of life”, this is how they describe their adventure in a few words. They are Alexia Russo and Caroline Fyot. In 2019, they took over the Château de Garnerot in Mercurey, a large bourgeois building, formerly the seat of a wine estate, which belonged to the municipality. At the same time, these two forty-year-olds took over the exploitation of 5 hectares of vines, allowing the castle to reconnect with its historical vocation (an old vertical press sits in the entrance).
The first, Italian, lived her first years in contact with olive trees. After completing an MBA in the world of luxury, she worked for the L'Occitane Group: “I needed to reconnect with nature,” she explains. A return to nature which finally ended up in Burgundy, the region of origin of his partner Caroline Fyot. The latter, from Dijon, initially made a career in insurance, without losing sight of her childhood dream: creating a wine estate. Dream fulfilled today.
They had the opportunity to take over vines in Côte Chalonnaise (Mercurey, Bouzeron, Rully) which were relatively affordable for Burgundy, but also in Côte Beaune (Chorey).
Alexia Russo and Caroline Fyot previously trained in vines and wine in Beaune. Their first vintage, 2018, was born in the “winemaking nursery” of Bligny-lès-Beaune .
The vines have been undergoing organic conversion since August 2019. A condition that they consider necessary to work in accordance with their convictions but also to respect their terroirs. “I admit that I didn't really believe in this approach to terroirs that we hear a lot in Burgundy. I see today that it is not just an idea,” concludes Alexia Russo.
We tasted the 2018 vintage at the estate. We were particularly seduced by the precision and harmony of Bourgogne Aligoté but also by the concentration and finesse of tannins of Bourgogne Côte d'Or in red.
Finally, the estate plans to make the reception at the Château one of its strong areas of development with the idea of “immersing” visitors in the world of wine.
Chai Garnerot Bourgogne Terres de Garnerot 2020 $59.90 (UP $79.90)
Cherry red color, with ruby red reflections. The nose evokes notes of raspberry, blackcurrant, licorice, with scents of violet. The palate is luscious with crunchy tannins. The fresh and saline finish is accompanied by aromas of licorice and pepper.
Chai Garnerot Beaune 1er Cru 'Vignes Franches' 2018 $88 (UP $108)
Cherry red color, with ruby red reflections. The nose evokes notes of raspberry, blackcurrant, licorice, black cherry. The palate is luscious with crunchy tannins. The fresh and saline finish is accompanied by aromas of tobacco and cocoa.
Chai Garnerot Côte Chalonnaise 'Sur Le Château' 2021 $49.90 (UP $69.90)
Pale yellow color, silvery reflections. Nose marked with notes of hawthorn flowers, lemon, fresh grapes, with nuances of honeysuckle, pepper, brioche, iodine. Fruity & fleshy on the palate, with a fresh, saline and slender finish, with aromas of liquorice.
Chai Garnerot Chateau de Garnerot Les Louères Bouzeron 2020 $49.90 (UP $69.90)
Gourmet white wine, with a beautiful golden color. Its nose evokes acacia, white flowers with a touch of exotic fruits. The mineral aromas blend perfectly with notes of citrus, honey and a slight touch of hazelnut. The richness of the terroir of this plot brings roundness and length.
