Mercurey Rouge 1er Cru 'Vasées', Domaine François Raquillet, 2019

Who is the greatest under-the-radar producer in Burgundy? While there are several contenders in the Côte-d'Or, one standout Domaine further south in Mercurey is François Raquillet, known for crafting exceptional and thought-provoking wines. With scores that rival those of top Côte-d'Or Premier Crus, these wines are a must for any serious Burgundy enthusiast’s cellar.

Widely regarded as the finest producer in Mercurey and a leader in the region, François has been harvesting his 12 hectares—8 planted to red and 4 to white—of increasingly old vines, some over 70 years old, at the end of August for the past six years. This early harvest allows him to be less impacted by climate change than many growers to the north in the Côte-d'Or. In fact, the Chalonnais region has benefited from the hotter, drier weather, resulting in reduced yields and increased concentration and ripeness in the grapes, ultimately producing richer, more gourmand, and frankly superior wines.