Domaine Theulot-Juillot Mercurey 1er Cru Les Saumonts Blanc 2022

Theulot Juillot’s is one of the rare whites from Les Saumonts, which abuts Les Puillets but is exposed a little more to the south. This 1er Cru is surrounded by forest and occupies a high position on the hillside (between 300 and 325 meters above sea level) that dominates the northwestern part of the village. The reddish clay-limestone soils on the steep hill below the hilltop (sous-mont) are dotted with small fossils; here is a white from a red terroir. The mass selection vines were planted in 1998, and Nathalie Theulot raised this wine in one-third new oak barrels. There’s more body here (than in the Les Champs Martin) and a similar tight weave of texture and linear freshness. There’s a wonderful interplay of layered, fleshy texture—with notes of citrus peel, stone fruits and brown spices—salty freshness and mouthwatering acidity.