Domaine Violot-Guillemard Hautes-Côtes de Beaune 2021

The Hautes-Cotes de Beaune covers the higher, cooler ground behind the famous slope of the Cote de Beaune in Burgundy, and this red comes from Domaine Violot-Guillemard, a Pommard family estate farming organically since 1999 and now in its sixth generation. The Pinot Noir grows on limestone and clay soils at altitude, where the cooler air and the wide swing between warm days and cold nights ripen the grape slowly and keep the wine fresh and red-fruited rather than heavy. The free-draining soils lend a mineral lift and fine structure. Organic farming keeps the fruit clear and expressive, and the wine is raised in oak barrels, a small proportion of them new, so the wood adds gentle structure and a little spice through slow oxygen exchange without masking the fruit. The colour is bright ruby. The nose shows ripe cherry, raspberry and red currant, rose and a touch of turned earth. The palate is medium to light bodied with crisp acidity, supple tannins and a clean, fresh finish. Serve at 15 to 16C. It suits roast chicken, duck and mushrooms.