2019 Vincent Girardin Les Vieilles Vignes Meursault

The Vincent Girardin House and the Modern Style

Vincent Girardin is an established name in Meursault and the wider Côte de Beaune region. The house began in the 1980s as a small family business but has grown into a leading producer known for precision, terroir-driven expertise, and elegant style. Winemaker Eric Germain plays a key role in this, achieving a major leap in quality in the 2000s by completely overhauling the winemaking process. Less new oak, longer aging, subtle bâtonnage, and a greater focus on freshness and refinement have elevated the wines to a new level.

Today, Girardin's white wines are known for their clear structure, perfect balance, and distinct expression of origin. Despite their concentration and ripeness, they retain a characteristic tension, making them beloved by Burgundy enthusiasts and sommeliers alike.

Meursault and the character of the terroir

Meursault lies in the heart of the Côte de Beaune and is the benchmark for rich yet refined Chardonnay. The south- to southeast-facing slopes consist of limestone and clay. This combination produces wines with breadth and texture, as well as sufficient freshness and precision. Old vines add an extra dimension, as their deep roots bring out the minerality and complexity.

The village of Meursault boasts numerous microterroirs, each with subtle differences in tension, ripeness, and aromatic intensity. Les Vieilles Vignes is a selection from older parcels within the village, where the average age of the vines results in a concentrated, pure, and harmonious style.

The power of old vine Chardonnay

Chardonnay from old vines always yields more nuance and depth. The roots extend deep into the chalky subsoil, resulting in low yields and intense, compact aromas. In Meursault, this translates into wines with layers of yellow fruit, hazelnut, minerality, and subtle floral notes. Older vines also provide more structure and a longer, more refined finish.

In the warm and balanced 2019 vintage, the grapes matured perfectly. The concentration is high, yet the wine retains freshness and lively acidity. This makes the vintage expressive and rich, without becoming heavy or ponderous.

Vinification and maturation in the Girardin style

The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully pressed to ensure the juice remains clear and pure. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, with a limited amount of new wood. This provides subtle support without the wood dominating the wine. Maturation takes place on the lees, but without excessive bâtonnage, to preserve tension and precision.

As the wine matures, it's given time to develop its balance. Girardin's style is recognizable: rich but never heavy, aromatic but never overpowering, and always focused on length and finesse. The 2019 Les Vieilles Vignes is a classic example of this approach.

Color, smell and taste of Meursault Les Vieilles Vignes 2019

The color is bright golden yellow with faint green highlights, typical of Chardonnay from Meursault. The nose opens with aromas of ripe peach, pear, and citrus, followed by subtle notes of hazelnut, brioche, and a hint of vanilla. Floral nuances and a light minerality are also present.

On the palate, the wine is full, round, and layered. The texture is creamy yet tightly defined by vibrant acidity. Ripe stone fruit, almond, buttery notes, and a chalky tension alternate. The finish is long, precise, and mineral, with enough intensity to develop for years to come. The balance between maturity and elegance makes this 2019 particularly appealing.

Development and storage potential

The 2019 vintage is already drinking beautifully, but it has the potential to deepen in the coming years. The combination of old vines, low yields, and careful use of oak gives the wine a structure that will age well. Expect the aromas to develop further towards brioche, nuttiness, and subtle honey notes, while retaining minerality and tension.

Would you like to order Vincent Girardin wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you this information when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, right next to the A16 motorway, with ample parking.

You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others.

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Wine and food pairings

• Scallops with beurre blanc. The soft sweetness and creaminess complement the wine's rich texture.
• Supreme chicken with creamy mushroom sauce. The earthy notes enhance the depth of the Meursault.
• Cod with lemon butter and herbs. The fresh acidity balances the creamy ingredients.
• Risotto with asparagus and Parmesan. The creaminess complements the satin texture of the wine perfectly.
• Soft Brie with a light touch of honey. This combination enhances the elegant nuttiness and fruity roundness.