2020 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune`Sous Eguisons`, Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard

Caroline Lestimé, winemaker at Jean-Noël Gagnard, decided to plant Chardonnay vines on this plot of the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, back in 2007. The vineyard is in La Rochepot, on an embankment overlooking and bordering the western part of the Saint-Aubin appellation Le Ban. The name “Sous Éguisons” refers to the cliff above the vineyard. The cliff offers protection from the north winds, which is a significant advantage given how harsh the climate is and how bitter the spring frosts are at this altitude. The natural growth cycle of the vines is also slower and the grapes mature a full week later than at lower levels.

The wine itself is a revelation, pure, pristine and delicious.  The matchstick mineral nose shows pure lemony fruit with a hint of florality. The palate is linear and precise with taut lemony fruit and a fine tangy, stony mineral quality. There’s just the faintest hint of spicy, toasty oak, but the real theme here is pure, vital lemon fruit with great precision and lovely integrated acidity.