Joseph Drouhin Santenay 2021

Joseph Drouhin Santenay is a Pinot Noir from the far southern end of the Côte de Beaune, made by the family house founded in 1880 and now in its fourth generation. The estate draws on around ninety Burgundy appellations and farms organically and biodynamically to keep its wines balanced and true to site. Santenay sits on limestone and marl slopes with stony clay, often with a higher iron content, a free-draining base that gives its Pinot Noir red-fruited freshness, gentle structure and an earthy, mineral length. The aspect and the cool nights of this corner of the Côte preserve acidity through ripening. The 2021 was a cooler, classically styled vintage. Fermentation runs with native yeasts and the wine ages in French oak, the slow oxygen ingress rounding the tannins and adding subtle spice without masking the fruit. The colour is a bright ruby. The nose offers red cherry, red currant, wild strawberry and rose, with damp earth beneath. The palate is light to medium, fresh and sapid, the tannins fine and the finish savoury and clean. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees. Good with roast chicken, duck or pork.