Beaune 1er Cru Aux Coucherias AOP 2022

A Pinot Noir that draws its power from its tannins. Dark ruby red with a black core, on the nose leather, tobacco and plenty of high-cocoa chocolate, underpinned by dark fruit of amarena cherry, dark mulberry and damson.

The name Coucherias comes from the sunset over the vineyards, which were planted in the 1960s. The parcel lies on a steep, west-facing slope on clay-limestone soil and is divided in two; the smaller section opens like an amphitheatre within an old quarry. The soil is extremely red and clay-rich, giving the tannins their dense texture. Walls and vegetation enclose the clos, including broom, a heat-loving plant rare in Burgundy. The site has been farmed biodynamically since 1983.

Pinot Noir, hand-harvested at optimal ripeness. This is followed by gentle extraction with 15% whole clusters in wooden vats, with maturation lasting on average 12 months, 50% of it in new barrels. 12.5% ABV, dry.

Firm grip and creamy richness, the tannins fine-grained and dense, with an attractively unruly astringency. Alongside this, extract-rich fruit with an almost sweet core. The structure remains medium-bodied and taut.

Roasted cauliflower with cacao nibs and tahini, pan-seared grey mullet on cauliflower couscous with cacao beurre blanc and bay-scented cherries or wild boar sausages with savoy cabbage.

Boris Champy took over the domaine in 2019, founded in 1984 by Didier Montchovet, today spanning twelve hectares. The estate was the first Demeter-certified winery in Burgundy; the Demeter logo appears on the label. Previously, the winemaker led operations such as Dominus in California, Louis Latour and Clos de Lambrays.