Côte de Beaune 2018

Clos de la Chatenière is a south-facing parcel surrounded by a wall, with 65 year old vines. There’s richness with notes of ginger and saffron, and plenty of focus and spice. This is beautifully precise, with plenty of texture.

En Remilly is considered the finest vineyard in St-Aubin by many - it’s the continuation of the Montrachet hillside. Notes of grapefruit and seville oranges, with remarkable drive and focus. The purity of fruit here is astonishing; as is the length.

In the very heart of the village of Santenay, surrounded by premiers crus, a 19th century owner of this vineyard, M. Duvault-Blochet, also owned Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. With 50% whole bunch, this is crunchy and very saline, with a beautifully creamy finish. There’s lovely fruit here. A red not to be missed.

Politically the last village of the Côte d’Or, Santenay’s wines were once held in higher regard. This shows why it still should be. 50 year old vines in part, but some are seven years old. There’s a brilliant balance between ripe, intense fruit and cool minerality in 2018.

Les Frionnes is the vineyard behind Olivier’s winery. Vines are as old as 80 years old but some 50 and 30% 10 years old. Flowers and delicate spearmint in 2018, there’s wonderful energy here. This is very pretty.