Tessier

History of Domaine Arnaud Tessier

The history of Domaine Tessier takes a decisive turn in 2006, when Arnaud Tessier, then just 21 years old, finds himself at the head of the 3.5-hectare family domaine under brutal circumstances imposed by life. Deprived of his father's support by force of events, this passionate young winegrower was armed above all by his feel for work in the vines, without yet any in-depth knowledge of winemaking. He then learned on the job, collaborating with his uncle for his first winemaking endeavours, keeping his first vintage for himself in order to observe, test and get to know his terroirs.

Over the years, Arnaud Tessier has become an experienced and talented winegrower, assisted by his wife Catherine Guillin. Fate has not been kind to the domaine, however, which has suffered hail, frost and millerandage on almost every vintage between 2012 and 2017, with the exception of 2015. It is through difficulty that Arnaud's experience was forged, from learning the winemaking to renovating his winery. The domaine, which now extends over 7.5 hectares, is seeing its reputation grow among discerning enthusiasts, its standing being built vintage after vintage as one of the gems to watch on the Côte de Beaune — still discreet in terms of fame, yet compared by some to the finest signatures of Meursault.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Arnaud Tessier

The vineyard of Domaine Arnaud Tessier now covers 7.5 hectares, entirely located within the commune of Meursault and its surroundings, in the Côte de Beaune. The plot portfolio embraces some of the finest climats of the appellation: Les Charmes Dessus as a Premier Cru, where the oldest plot of the domaine is found (vines planted in 1948), Le Poruzot Dessus as a Premier Cru, Les Genevrières as a Premier Cru, and several prestigious village lieu-dits such as Les Casse-Tête, Les Grands Charrons, Les Corbins and Les Millerands. To these are added a few plots in Bourgogne Côte d'Or, notably Champ Perrier (0.5 hectare, Arnaud's first sentimental purchase) and Les Herbeux.

The climat Les Casse-Tête deserves special mention: the vines there grow directly on bedrock, which gives rise to the latest-ripening grapes in the domaine. The name of the climat is said to come from the tools that break on the head of the rock, a testament to a particularly austere and mineral terroir. Arnaud Tessier operates on the principle that 99% of the wine is made in the vineyard and devotes the greater part of his energy to it: regular ploughing, organic farming as far as possible, and care of each individual vine on a case-by-case basis. The harvest date is decided by the winegrower alone, guided by his experience and the occasional assistance of oenologists who analyse his grapes and wines.

Winemaking at Domaine Arnaud Tessier

In the cellar, Arnaud Tessier conducts the winemaking with particular rigour, having progressively learned to master this aspect of the craft. Harvesting is entirely manual, at perfect ripeness. For the Chardonnays, pressing is gentle, followed by careful settling, then fermentation and a first ageing in French oak barrels, with a proportion of new wood adapted to each cuvée.

The singularity of the domaine lies in the duration of the ageing: the wines are first aged in barrels (until the eve of the following harvest for the Bourgogne and village wines, longer for the Premiers Crus), then transferred back to tank for a further six months of bulk ageing, or even longer. This technique allows the wines to be refined, their expression stabilised and a precise and harmonious texture imparted to them. The result is expressed in structured, elegant and saline Meursaults, endowed with a beautiful mineral tension and a generous substance, with a remarkable capacity for ageing. A unique signature, at once faithful to Meursault and marked by the personal touch of Arnaud Tessier.

The Cuvées of Domaine Arnaud Tessier

Bourgogne Côte d'Or Chardonnay Champ Perrier: a regional cuvée from the first plot purchased by Arnaud (0.5 hectare), of particular sentimental significance. The wine offers an expressive nose of coconut water, spices and pineapple, supported by a harmonious foundation. A fine Bourgogne Blanc with an excellent quality-to-price ratio.

Bourgogne Côte d'Or Chardonnay Les Herbeux: another regional cuvée from the domaine, this Bourgogne Blanc presents a surprising substance for its appellation level, closer to a Meursault village than a simple Bourgogne. Notes of yellow and white fruits on the nose, a hint of flint, a taut palate that is more tonic than rounded.

Meursault (village blend): a classic village cuvée, from a blend of several climats such as Les Corbins, Les Millerands and Les Grands Charrons. The wine offers a complete expression of the Meursault style, with a generous substance, aromas of white fruits and a beautiful minerality.

Meursault Les Grands Charrons: a single-climat village cuvée from this renowned climat. The wine stands out for its classic roundness, its generous substance, its aromas of yellow fruits and its beautiful length.

Meursault Les Casse-Tête: a village cuvée of assertive character, from a climat where the vines grow directly on bedrock. Previously farmed by the celebrated Domaine Coche, these plots yield particularly late-ripening grapes. The wine offers volume, remarkable vivacity, a stony and saline substance, in a vertical and mouth-watering style. A very fine village wine, with a singular mineral signature.

Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes Dessus: An emblematic Premier Cru of the domaine, from the oldest plot planted in 1948. Pale gold colour with green highlights, an intense nose of white flowers, pear and peach, with delicate nuances of vanilla, toasted hazelnut and chalky minerality. The palate unfolds with beautiful amplitude, a balance between richness and elegance, with flavours of white-fleshed fruits, citrus touches and a beautiful minerality, supported by well-integrated acidity. Long and aromatic finish. Smoky and iodine notes.

Meursault 1er Cru Le Poruzot Dessus: a great Premier Cru of the domaine, this elegant Chardonnay offers a great harmony between the aromatic richness of yellow fruits and mineral finesse. A brilliant golden colour with green highlights, an intense nose of white flowers (jasmine, honeysuckle), followed by indulgent notes of white peach, apricot and a subtle touch of vanilla. A powerful and elegant palate, a long, mineral and lightly toasted finish, testament to a finely mastered barrel ageing.

Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrières: A prestigious Premier Cru of Meursault, neighbouring Charmes and Perrières. The wine offers a taut palate, a generous substance carried by yellow and white fruits, a hint of flint, in a style that is more tonic than rounded for this usually more opulent climat. A mini Perrières with an interesting quality-to-price ratio.