Côte de Beaune 2021: New Releases

First introduced in 2020, this cuvée is a blend of old and young vines mostly coming from the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune. There's a precise, lean feel to the palate. This is classic Pinot Noir with juicy, bright, smooth red fruit that builds to a long, fresh finish.

Nicolas sees these vineyards, around Corgoloin just south of Nuits St Georges, as the future of his domaine. Land prices here aren’t impossibly high, yet the quality of terroir is terrific. It means he can make this enormously characterful and interesting wine for an outstanding price. The 2021 has a floral, peppery, cherry and damson character, both ripe and with a little crunchy tannic kick.Satisfyingly delicious.

These 3 parcels of vines are between 50-70 years old, and Nicolas has used 100% whole bunch on this wine, giving it a kirsch/cranberry fruit character. The tannins are really quite crunchy and energetic in their youth, but will stand it in good stead for ageing.

Nicolas has the oldest vines in this highly-rated premier cru. They were planted in 1904, and Nicolas plans to uproot them within the next year because the old vines have become so low-yielding. The wine has powerful and concentrated tannins, fantastic texture and elegant, floral,plummy aromatics to its fruit.