Presentation
Located in Mercurey, in the heart of the Côte Chalonnaise, Domaine Tupinier Bautista is an essential reference for the appellation. Its recent history is marked by the passionate trajectory of Emmanuel Bautista, who took over and transformed the estate in 1997. Of Spanish origin, Emmanuel Bautista arrived in Burgundy in the 1980s, with a deep desire to integrate into this exceptional terroir. Coming from a family where the love of wine was omnipresent, he quickly developed a fascination for Pinot Noir and Burgundian rigor. Learning alongside the elders, he acquired a know-how that he combined with a modern and innovative approach, bringing new dynamism to the estate. Today, the vineyard covers 11 hectares, cultivated with almost obsessive precision. The harvest is exclusively manual, with meticulous sorting of the berries from the moment they are picked. In the cellar, the work is done gently: vinifications are carried out by gravity, avoiding any aggressive pumping. Aging takes place in natural cellars dug into the rock, ensuring a slow and harmonious evolution of the wines. The Mercurey reds, aged in French oak barrels, reveal a beautiful density and aromatic power, blending black fruits, spices, and undergrowth notes. The palate is ample, with silky tannins and a persistent finish, offering wines designed for aging. The distinctive feature of the estate lies in Emmanuel Bautista's vision, who has managed to marry Burgundian heritage with his Mediterranean roots to create wines with a strong identity, where the precision of the terroir is combined with a generosity of texture and depth.
Location
This wine comes from a 1.14-hectare vineyard plot, ideally located with a South-East exposure.
Terroir
Clay-limestone soil.
In the vineyard
The vineyard is carefully managed year-round with soil ploughing, sustainable viticultural practices, and precise yield control to ensure optimal ripeness and concentration. Depending on the vintage, harvest may be carried out by hand or machine, always with a focus on fruit quality.
Harvest
Grapes are hand-harvested and meticulously sorted directly in the vineyard.
Winemaking
100% destemmed. A 20-day vatting period includes both cold and warm maceration phases, followed by devatting and pressing.
Ageing
The wine is aged in 228L oak barrels for 13 to 14 months. 35% of the barrels are new (including barrels of one, two, and three wines). This approach ensures a balanced integration of oak influence.
Varietal
Pinot Noir : 100%
Specifications
Age of vines : 40 years old
Serving
14-15°C
Ageing potential
5 to 10 years
Tasting
This Mercurey Premier Cru Sazenay red opens with a classic Pinot Noir bouquet, showing ripe red fruits: black cherry, Morello cherry, and wild raspberry, lifted by light spicy notes (white pepper, clove) and a subtle floral touch of violet and peony. The oak ageing brings discreet toasted and cocoa nuances, enhancing but never overpowering the purity of the fruit. The palate is fresh and silky, driven by vibrant acidity. Mid-palate reveals structure and depth, supported by fine-grained tannins. As it lingers, the wine gains complexity, displaying earthy or slightly smoky undertones, typical of Mercurey’s clay-limestone soils. The finish is long and elegant, with a saline lift and a hint of licorice.
Food pairings
This elegant and characterful red wine offers a wide array of pairings:
Veal chop with wild mushrooms (ceps, chanterelles) and reduced jus: the wine’s fresh acidity and silky tannins match perfectly with the earthy depth of the dish.
Duck confit Parmentier: the rich, slightly fatty texture of the duck harmonizes beautifully with the wine’s refined structure and red fruit notes.
Braised lamb shoulder with Provençal herbs, served with root vegetable purée: a warm and elegant pairing, where the wine’s smooth texture balances the depth of the dish.
Gourmet white pizza (thin crust, caramelized onions, arugula, shaved parmesan): a simple, fresh option to pair with a wine of character without overwhelming the palate.
For a bolder choice, try a beef bo bun with fresh herbs: the wine offers a delightful contrast to the dish’s citrusy and spicy accents.