Santenay 1er Cru - Gravières 2023

Founded in 1880 in Burgundy, Maison Joseph Drouhin is today one of the region’s emblematic names, with vineyards spread across the Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits, Chablis, and Côte Chalonnaise, alongside its négociant-winemaker activities.

The Santenay 1er Cru Gravières comes from one of the Premier Cru–classified climats of the Santenay appellation, located east of the village of Santenay, in the southern Côte de Beaune. This red wine is made from the local Pinot Noir grape and reflects Drouhin’s philosophy: respect for the soil (the clay-limestone terroir typical of Gravières), manual harvesting, precise vinification and ageing in oak barrels — all contributing to a wine that combines elegance, finesse, and a true sense of place.

Appearance: Deep ruby colour with bright highlights, typical of fine Pinot Noir from the Côte de Beaune. The hue tends to evolve toward garnet with age.

Nose: Expressive bouquet combining fresh red fruits (raspberry, cherry, strawberry) with floral notes (peony, dried rose). Over time, more complex aromas appear — undergrowth, mild spices, or hints of leather.

Palate: Smooth attack, silky texture and fine tannins. The palate is well-balanced, both elegant and structured. Red fruit flavours dominate, supported by beautiful minerality. The finish is long and fresh, with subtle spicy or liquorice notes depending on the vintage.

Food Pairing: Ideal with duck breast, roasted veal fillet, herb-crusted lamb, or noble poultry such as pigeon or guinea fowl. Also pairs beautifully with soft-ripened cheeses like truffled Brillat-Savarin or Chaource.

Serving Temperature: Serve at around 16 °C, ideally after brief aeration or light decanting in its youth.