While renowned for their whites, the Matrot family has proven adept at crafting sumptuous reds with the potential for graceful aging, such as Domaine Matrot Monthelie, a single-varietal Pinot Noir that undergoes a dual maturation process.
Domaine Matrot Monthelie is a wine named after Monthelie, the village located a mere five minutes from Meursault, where some of the vineyards this family tends in the heart of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy's Côte d'Or are situated. However, the family's holdings extend beyond this area, with the 22 hectares of Domaine Matrot also spread across Puligny-Montrachet, Auxey-Duresses, and Blagny. These vineyards, planted on a diverse array of soils, are cultivated with meticulous care, honoring the legacy and constantly striving for quality. Perhaps this is why, since 1976, Domaine Matrot has been committed to sustainable agriculture, eschewing the chemicals that once saturated these fields in the previous century. This is complemented by other practices such as green pruning, early harvesting, and the use of organic fertilizers.
No effort is spared in preserving the quality of the wines. In the case of Domaine Matrot Monthelie, the Pinot Noir thrives in ancient vineyards, over 60 years old, nestled between Meursault and Volnay on a steep, shallow slope with a southeast exposure. Here, the harvest is conducted by hand and transported to the winery to create this exquisite red. As a general rule, all red wines from Domaine Matrot begin their vinification with complete destemming of the grapes, and Domaine Matrot Monthelie is no exception. Once all the grapes have been processed, the must is placed in stainless steel tanks at a low temperature (around 10°C), where it will macerate for 3 to 6 days. After this period, Domaine Matrot Monthelie commences fermentation, a process lasting between 12 and 18 days. During this time, pump-overs and punch-downs are crucial for extracting the fullest color possible. Once transformed into wine, Domaine Matrot Monthelie undergoes a dual aging process: first, it matures on its lees in oak barrels (newer or older depending on the vintage); and finally, in stainless steel tanks before bottling.
With Domaine Matrot Monthelie, this family showcases the full extent of their winemaking prowess.