Red dry
The F. Mikulski Monthélie Les Toisières AOC 2023 is a wine of remarkable charm and elegance, hailing from vines roughly 40 years old, planted on a southwest-facing slope at the entrance to Monthélie village. This particular plot, once a quarry extracting flat stones for roofing, benefits from a clay-limestone terroir that imparts its signature finesse, promising a wine of unparalleled purity and refined mineral character.
The nose is incredibly seductive, revealing the brightness and elegance of limestone rock. It offers tender aromas of raspberries, strawberries, and cherries, intertwined with smoky notes of a hearth fire and warm ashes. Pretty floral scents, including an abundance of roses with fine, tender, and sensual perfumes, along with blooming carnations, add to its allure.
On the palate, it delivers a fine mouthfeel with delicate notes of cherry, raspberry, and plum, all richly peppered with Sichuan and Espelette pepper. Fine herbs and cooked aromatic plants, including mint, coriander, and verbena, along with damson, add further complexity. The focused finish is very peppery and reveals a marked saline aspect and substantial length.
The cuvée is vinified in vats for about 15 days, then aged in barrels for at least 18 months, with approximately 20% new barrels used.
Served at 14-16 °C with grilled salmon with dill sauce, beef brisket, roast portobello mushrooms.
François Mikulski, the son of a Polish émigré, manages his winery in Chassagne-Montrachet and has turned his unusual surname for the region into an advantage. His wines stand out not only in taste but also in appearance – the winemaker's name, surname, and vineyard are simply written in white paint, like chalk, on a plain, monochromatic bottle. Since the family winery is located in the Meursault area, he primarily specializes in producing brightly flavored white wines bearing the village's name.
Aiming to preserve the inherent characteristics of the growing site and grape variety, François Mikulski employs organic winemaking methods. His wines are expressive, boast exceptional balance, and are enjoyable both fresh and aged.
The family currently manages 9 hectares of vineyards, three-quarters of which are dedicated to white grape varieties. The remaining just over 2 hectares are planted with ‘Pinot Noir’ grapes. Among them are also less famous but distinctive vineyards in Chassagne, Meursault, and Pommard.
After a meticulous sorting of bunches during harvest, grapes are destemmed and gently pressed using a pneumatic press. Natural yeasts are used for fermentation.
Aging in barrels lasts 10–12 months. To ensure the oak doesn't overshadow the vineyard's inherent flavor, François uses no more than 20% new barrels.