Winemaker Notes
Intense, appealing roasted coffee and chocolate covered espresso bean aromas invade the senses immediately, carrying through to the palate where ripe red fruit, cherries and rich tobacco are evident along with a vibrant acidity. Solid tannins and a hint of smoke round out the lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Philippe Colin farms two parcels of vines, averaging 50 years old, covering 1.68 acres on the Santenay hill. He destems the grapes and allows them a four-day cold soak before they start to ferment in stainless steel, then ages the wine for 12 months in barrels (25 percent new). And while this 2016 shows that new oak, there’s plenty of wine underneath to make a formidable impression. The structure is austere, and if you prefer a wine with more extract, go for the Gravières (also recommended here). But if you like earthy, spicy, wild-fruited Burgundy and can handle some burly grip, this wine has a lot to offer.
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Wine Spectator
This has depth and richness to the black cherry, earth and tar aromas and flavors. The firm structure gives this the potential for short-term aging. Drink now through 2027.
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.”
In the far southern end of the Côte de Beaune, Santenay forms a little notch that juts into the otherwise straight border with Côte Chalonnaise.
Santenay red wines show the true essence of red Burgundy at good price points and without demanding a lot of cellar time. Enticing aromas of rose-petal, violet, red fruits and licorice lead to sturdiness on the palate. With soils rich in oolitic limestone and marl, this is the home of well-constructed, hearty Pinot noir and represents a fantastic region to explore if you are just beginning your understanding of red Burgundy.
Reputable vineyards of Santenay include La Maladière, as well as the Premier Crus of La Comme, Clos de Tavannes, and Les Gravières.