Justin Girardin, Santenay 1er Cru 2017 Beauregard

Red and black fruits merge with a twist of oak. Soft tannins; a very mellow wine, already very drinkable.

Drinking Dates: 2021 to 2029

Cépagement: 100% Pinot Noir (45 years old, harvested at 42hl/ha)

Upbringing: Grapes are destemmed, then put into vats at 12°C for 5 days to extract the primary aromas. Indigenous yeasts are used. During fermentation, the temperature is monitored so that it is around 26 °C, never more than 30°C. Smooth extraction respecting the grape variety, terroir and vintage. Fermentation lasts around 20 days.

The wine is aged for 15 months in French oak barrels (Allier and Vosges, 20% new) - the malolactic fermentation is performed in barrels with ageing on fine lees Lightly filtered before bottling on favourable lunar days.

ABV: 13%

'Light to mid crimson. Pretty red-cherry aroma. Lovely scent. Succulent texture and more fruity on the palate after the Clos Rousseau. Dryish finish but the fruit is all there to give excellent balance already.' 16.5/20 (jancisrobinson.com)