Tasting Notes
Fresh, light in colour, with wild fruit nose and flavour, like raspberry or strawberry. Fine fruit taste aided by underlying acid and lower alcohol (12%), would welcome duck or barbecued chicken. And of course give it a little while to open-out the fruit. - Michael L
This AOC Bourgogne introduces us with no appologies into the world of Pinot Noir by Jean-Claude Rateau. Fruit, we quickly realise, is what inspires. Great, healthy old vines, treated with all the biodynamic respect of the best in his Domaine, but on a simple sandy terroir, results in a wine of almost chewable crisp red acidulated fruit. The nose smells of sour cherries and wild strawberries. The pallet is fresh, acidulated and long, with no make-up or heavy oak to mask the true star, fresh fruit. Too many Pinot Noirs fail to deliver this level of enjoyment because they try to do more than is necessary; let the fruit speak.
In the 1970s, Jean-Claude first started exploring biodynamic farming in his back garden, growing food. So when he decided to become a winegrower in 1979, taking over the family holdings, there was no question about it, everything began with biodynamic production. Jean-Claude has, therefore, the honour of being the very first wine grower in Burgundy to work under biodynamic principles. His part of the walled vineyard 'Clos des Mariages " is the firs t and oldest biodynamic parcel of vines in all of the Cote d'Or.
The 2 ha of family vineyards have been completed with a further 6 ha under long-term rental. The domaine makes wines predominantly within AOC Beaune, with some Hautes Cotes and one parcel in Gevrey Chambertin. Jean-Claude also bottles a 100% Pinot Blanc (authorised in the AOC but rarely practiced) and blends small amounts of the Pinot cousins (Blanc/Beurot/Gris) into some reds and whites. The AOC Beaune and 1er Cru red wines of Jean-Claude are of stunning fruit purity, typical of this appellation, which marries perfectly the feminine and masculine qualities of great pinot noir.
Certified Organic/Biodynamic, Member of Renaissance des Apellations ('Return to Terroir "). - Importer Note
| Product Type | Wine Red Pinot Noir |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| Sub Region | Bourgogne |
| Winemaking Practices | Natural |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |