Winemaker Notes
Every wine Francois Lumpp makes is from Givry, from vineyards that he planted and nurtured himself–something that is exceedingly rare in Burgundy today, and will become more and more so over time. An acknowledged leader of the appellation, his greatest achievement is harnessing the finesse we look for in Burgundian Pinot Noir.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Generally the most tannic and backward of François Lumpp's superb line-up of reds, this comes from a parcel on red and white clays. There's plenty of texture and weight here, but it's supported by freshness, fine oak and layers of red plum and strawberry fruit.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The best candidate for cellaring this year is the 2017 Givry 1er Cru A Vigne Rouge, a serious wine that unwinds in the glass with notes of cherries, red berries and potpourri. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with good concentration, tangy acids and an elegantly powdery tannic chassis, concluding with a long, precise finish. Rating: 92+
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Noted as the preferred wine of King Henry IV of the late 1500s—though maybe because his mistress came from here!—Givry is a top red wine-producing village in the Côte Chalonnaise.
Its firmly structured reds, made exclusively from Pinot Noir, also boast plenty of blackberry and strawberry fruit with supple tannins that benefit from about two to five years in the bottle. The robust fruit and firmness on the palate in a Givry red begs for dishes such as mixed charcuterie, braised veal, stewed poultry or roasted duck.
Typical Givry whites have a fresh bouquet of lemon, lime, white flower licorice and can benefit and become softer with age.