Domaine de Suremain in Mercurey

More Mercurey: This time Domaine de Suremain 2018s in a quick tasting during a busy week with a lot of wines to sample.

Domaine de Suremain is one of the better-known Mercurey producers, located in a stately palace called Château Bourgneuf.

The estate has 18 hectares in total and a focus on pinot noir – at least cuvée wise. It does produce one white as well from the Mercurey appellation.

Expectations were high after tasting some 2019 Mercureys last week, although the 2018 vintage can be somewhat on the rich side.

As an aside, while it is important to keep an open mind, I would never pair 2018s with 2019s in a comparative tasting. This often shows the ’18s to be somewhat on the dense side and lacking energy compared with the 2019s.

Let’s taste!

Tasting the de Suremain 2018s was a slightly bumpy ride; the first wine was corked and the second put on a somewhat disappointing performance. That said, the two last wines were showing fine, so draw your own conclusions.

Domaine de Suremain Mercurey 2018

Corked…

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Domaine de Suremain Mercurey 1er cru La Bondue 2018

The nose is not exciting, with an almost unpleasant, astringent initial impression. On the palate it was quite dumb, with medium weight. Perhaps the 2018 vintage has been taken to its overly generous side in this case. Not really revealing the charms of pinot.

(Drink from 2021) – Average – Tasted 29/01/2021

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Domaine de Suremain Mercurey 1er cru Clos l’Eveque 2018

This is much better, and confirms the talent and seriousness of the estate. Fine, vivid fruit, perhaps with a slight astringency, but otherwise quite cool for the vintage, with good balance and freshness. This has good intensity and drinkability.

(Drink from 2024) – Very Good (88-89p) – Tasted 29/01/2021

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Domaine de Suremain Mercurey En Sazenay 2018

Clearly a bigger wine, and more serious, although slightly austere at the moment. This is a wine for the cellar. It has fine fruit and a clear mineral note while being a bit tannic. The fruit is perhaps a bit rich, but nonetheless vivid and quite enjoyable. I would like to try the 2019 version.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good (88-89p) – Tasted 29/01/2021