At a glance

Producer

Arnaud Ente

Region

Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Chardonnay

Wine type

White

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$1200-$1800 (USD) per bottle (750ml)

Tasting profile

Complex tertiary aromas of roasted hazelnut, brioche, dried lemon peel, honeycomb, and subtle flinty minerality. Palate is rich yet vibrant, with harmonious acidity, lingering citrus-zest finish, subtle creaminess.

Evolution: Primary fruit (apple, pear) has mostly faded, replaced by nutty, honeyed, toasty and saline notes. Mineral and earthy character now prominent.

At peak: Peak complexity, finest aromatics, and precise balance have generally been achieved (2019-2024); further age leads to deeper nuttiness and earthy secondary/tertiary qualities.

Structure

Acidity

High (lively, supporting ageability)

Tannins

None (white wine)

Alcohol

13% ABV (typical)

Aging potential

12-15 years from vintage in proper cellar conditions

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2021 to 2038

Optimal window

2018 to 2041

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

In optimal condition if cellared well; starting to approach the end of peak for best freshness and complexity

This wine's optimal drinking window is driven by its naturally high acidity, sensitive Chardonnay fruit, low intervention style, and the oxidative risk inherent to older white Burgundies. The 2013 vintage offers an elegant, classic Meursault profile that was best between 2019 and 2024.

Food pairing

Lobster, seared scallops, turbot, roast chicken with morels, aged Comté, white truffle risotto.

Serving

Serving temperature

12-13°C / 54-55°F

Decant

Yes (30-45 minutes) — Gentle aeration opens tertiary bouquet without overexposing fragile aged notes.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Low-intervention viticulture, hand harvesting, strict yield control, traditional gravity-flow cellar, minimal new oak, natural vineyard biodiversity encouraged; minimal chemical input. Focus on energy and water conservation is above regional norm due to small-scale, precise operations.

Arnaud Ente is recognized for meticulous, sustainable vineyard practices (lutte raisonnée), eschewing herbicides/pesticides except where absolutely necessary and cultivating soil health. Small holdings, mainly hand work, low intervention, and careful winemaking are paired with above-average attention to energy and waste reduction in the winery. While no formal organic/biodynamic certification exists, the estate’s methods are on par with leading sustainable producers. International shipment does add footprint, but overall, practices are highly responsible for Burgundy.