Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Sous Eguisons 2020

Domaine Jean-Noel Gagnard Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Sous Eguisons 

Region: Hautes Cotes de Beaune, Burgundy, France

Vintage: 2020

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%

Notes: certified organic

Sous Eguisons displays a lively citrus character with notes of bright grapefruit and lemon. Poised on the palate with a slight creaminess, balanced by pithy citrus acidity and a long mineral finish.

The name "Sous Eguison" refers to a cliff that overlooks the vineyard. This cliff protects the vines from northerly winds – a considerable advantage given the vineyard’s altitude where the climate is less propitious and spring frosts are much harsher. The shelter provided by the cliff also allows for a longer growing season that helps the grapes to fully ripen. The vineyard is located in the commune of La Rochepot on an embankment that overlooks and borders the western part of the Saint-Aubin appellation, with a south-easterly aspect.

This famous domaine has been run by Caroline Lestimé, Jean-Noël’s daughter, since 1989. Its 12.5 hectares of outstanding vineyards have been certified organic since 2014, and are now run biodynamically, though are not yet certified as such. Most of the estate’s vineyards are in the heart of Chassagne, with one vineyard in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune, which looks down on St. Aubin and was planted in 2015. The wines are, in the best sense of the phrase, ‘low intervention’ wines, with each expressing the character of its site.