Saint-Romain rouge "Combe Bazin" AOC 2022

A Pinot Noir with clear contour: medium, slightly translucent carmine red, a tonic nose of sweet and sour cherry, raspberry, cranberry, along with juice and zest of blood orange. Beneath lie blossom, stone, a touch of iron, tobacco and undergrowth.

The Combe Bazin site lies in the southeastern part of the Saint-Romain appellation, towards Auxey-Duresses, also facing southeast, at 375 to 385 metres. The soil is white limestone, calcosol on Saint-Romain marl. The Buisson family farms its 13 hectares in Saint-Romain, Santenay and Beaune biodynamically; Henri introduced this approach as early as 1990.

Pinot Noir from 30-year-old vines, hand-harvested and partly destemmed. Fermentation starts spontaneously in stainless-steel tanks, with the cap punched down by pigeage and doused by pump-over. Malolactic fermentation takes place spontaneously in barrel. Ageing lasts ten to twelve months in 228-, 350- and 500-litre barriques as well as in tonneaux, of which at most 10% are replaced each year; racking happens only when Frédéric Buisson deems it useful. Fining is done with bentonite, filtration is only very light, and sulphur is added only at bottling, at a maximum of 40 to 50 mg/l total sulphite.

Serious, dry, firm and driven, with a fine balance between fruit, acidity and tannin. The tannin stays lightly grainy, the texture still showing the influence of the lees. Warmth and cool notes sit side by side; the wine becomes more sensual with air.

With oxtail and butter beans, a suckling pig terrine with apricots, rosemary and mashed potatoes, or, for a vegetarian option, braised peppers with beans and orzo.

The estate is Biodyvin-certified. 13.0% vol., dry.