My journey into Burgundy continues, wine #2! Part of a pack of four I picked to start with at a ~$40 price point – included Arlaud Roncevie (my first), Sarrazan Givry, and a Gagnard Chassagne Montrachet. Reading a review of another Irancy recently on this sub, plus the cold weather spell right now, convinced me to open this wine. One of the northernmost red wine regions, about the same latitude as Quebec, I'll admit I didn't even know the region existed! Regarding the producer, they're a pair of brothers who manage 18 hectares biodynamically – manually harvesting the Pinot Noir. Over two years aging – one in stainless steel, and a bit over a year in oak barrels, so a September harvest became an April 2022 bottling. Paired with roasted pork chops. Stored at 55, opened up and decanted while I cooked.
Visually, a very light ruby in the glass.
On the nose, baking spice and pastry notes at the rim, followed by strong red fruit – strawberries and cherries. As the wine warms and breathes, the earthy notes I hoped for emerge – a brisk walk along a dirt path after fresh rainfall. Wet soil and mushroom, and the fruit moves candied, think a pie filling.
On the palate, itโs smooth & fresh, very light bodied, almost Beaujolais-esque. Tannins are barely perceptible, fine-grained and gentle. Decent acidity, and the 13% alc doesnโt call attention to itself. Look, this is relatively simple and straightforward, just all red fruit flavors with a bit of garden soil in a decent finish. Its an easy crowd-pleaser, plenty of fruit and a straightforward structure.
Compared to that Arlaud Roncevie I had a few weeks ago, I lean toward the greater complexity of the former. This is a wine Iโd be happy to open on a sunny day outdoors or in a social setting. What saves it for me are the earthy notes and the acidity, but Iโd hope for more. The Givry is next!
by JJxiv15