Domaine René Lequin-Colin, Bourgogne Rouge 2022

The tiny 9ha plot of vineyards belonging to Domaine René Lequin-Colin has been in the same family since 1679. Based in the village of Santenay at the foot of Burgundy's southern Côte de Beaune, they only making wine in minuscule quantities, and have garnered a real reputation for top-quality, small-batch and very authentic Burgundy. Bourgogne Rouge 2022 is a Santenay 1er Cru in all but name. It comes from two parcels in Santenay: “Chassey-le-Camps” and “Lavau”; Lavau is planted half to chardonnay (which goes into the “Retour aux Racine” bottling) and half to Pinot Noir. For this Pinot Noir, the grapes are co-fermented 10% whole cluster with the rest being de-stemmed. Fermentation lasts approximately 2-3 weeks after which the wine is aged in barrel for 10 months, only 10% of which was new oak. It’s juicy, spicy and everything you’d want in a Burgundy which punches well above its weight.