2021 Hautes-Côtes de Nuits En Gregoire Rouge 375mL

Label: Emmanuel Giboulet
Vintage: 2021
Fruit: Pinot Noir
Region: Beaune, Burgundy, France
ABV: 13.5%

organic / biodynamic

small luxuries / treating yourself / its not the size that counts

The Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, whose vineyards lie on the forested plateau above some of Burgundy’s most exalted red wine terroirs, is an exciting, dynamic place these days. While much of the energy in the area comes from young upstarts, Giboulot has been biodynamically farming this plot of Pinot Noir vines above Nuits-Saint-Georges. for nearly 40 years. The grapes were destemmed, fermented in open-top wooden tanks, and aged 18 months in used oak barrels. The wine shows spicy dark red fruit, blood orange, and a touch of earthy truffle with a few years in bottle. It has a juicy and refreshing palate with a solid structure of acid and tannin beneath the fruit.

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Emmanuel Giboulot is a true pioneer of organic farming in Burgundy, and a champion of some wonderful but little-known Burgundy appellations. In 1985, long before organic viticulture was mainstream, he purchased his own small plot of vines and immediately converted them to organic practices. At the time it was difficult for him to lease or purchase vineyards as locals were suspicious of the non-chemical farming he practiced, but he slowly grew the domaine to cover 12 hectares. Among his most prized vineyards are those in the tiny (and confusingly named!) Côte de Beaune appellation; distinct from the generic Côte de Beaune-Villages appellation, it covers just 33 hectares of vines on the slopes above Beaune. The winemaking is patient and traditional, with slow natural fermentations, patient aging, and no new oak for whites or reds. These wines are vibrant and oozing with character, and offer quality on par with much more famous and expensive appellations.

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