Denis Clair Cotes De Beaune Villages 09

This fine bourgogne rouge got my attention in a tasting earlier this year!

Most respected French critic, Michel Bettane wrote: “[Domaine Denis Clair] A very united, generous family: a family with good taste and beautiful vines on the best terroirs of Saint-Aubin and Santenay. All of this explains the success this domaine has achieved over some twenty years” Today Denis ( the mayor of Santenay) works closely with his son, Jean-Baptiste, who has had a major impact in improving both quality and style of the wines in recent years. This latest release, from the exceptional and much-praised 2009 vintage, is certainly the finest and most immediately delicious Denis Clair Côtes de Beaune we have seen. This is classic Pinot Noir, not to mention classic Côtes de Beaune, this time fully adorned with all the bells and whistles of a perfect Burgundian harvest.

This fine wine comprises several parcels from Côtes de Beaune Villages AOC. Around 90% of the fruit is de-stemmed and given a 10 day ‘cold soak’ maceration before completing fermentation in barrel, of which 10% is new. In short traditional methods are utilised to give terroir centre stage. Right now the wine is bright, intense and energetic; packed with lifted cherry fruit and hints of musk and redcurrant. It’s a very pretty wine, suave and pure with juicy acidity and suave tannins framing the lovely glowing fruit. With some age you will find it gaining more richness and opulence, more texture and body. Either way it is a wonderfully graceful, medium-bodied ‘gastronomic’ pinot noir that comes from the chalky slopes above Santenay. This volumptous wine has depth, balance and is a delight to drink! Sante RRP $44

Price: $36.99