Albert Bichot Santenay 1er Cru Clos Rousseau 2019

Maison Albert Bichot was established in Beaune in 1831 by Bernard Bichot, grandfather of the first of a line of Albert Bichots.

The current managing director is Alberic Bichot (born 1964) who has revitalised the business which is now based around a series of domaines: Long-Depaquit in Chablis, Clos Frantin for the Côte de Nuits, du Pavillon for the Côte de Beaune and Domaine d’Adélie for Mercurey. Wines with one or other of these denominations will be from their own vineyards, while wines just bearing the name Albert Bichot will be from purchased grapes.

The company has separate vinification centres in Chablis, Pommard, Nuits-St-Georges and Beaune itself. Lupé-Cholet is an associated marque. Christophe Chavel has been looking after the vineyards since 2000, ensuring that they are all ploughed and no fertilisers are used. Alain Serveau, originally from a domaine in Morey-St-Denis, is technical director. Fermentation takes place in wooden vats of varying sizes depending on the specific plot of vines in question, using natural yeasts. Maturation is in oak barrels without too much new wood: 20 to 30 per cent for village wines, from 50 to 100 per cent for grands crus.

Bichot is now a serious player with some excellent red wines which avoid showing too much of a house style, and some fine whites

Located at the southern extremity of the Côte de Beaune, Santenay was known in Gallo-Roman times for its hot springs. The source "Santinae aquae" (healing waters) gave the village its name.

"Clos Rousseau" is located at the extreme southwest of the appellation, bordering on "Les Maranges. "Rousseau" is a common surname in Burgundy, even today, and is said to have been the original owner's name.

The grapes are hand picked before being fermented in oak vats for 28 days. The wine then ages for 14-16 months in 20-30% new oak barrels.

The nose reveals fresh notes of red fruit (cherry, raspberry...), flowers (peony, rose...) and spices. The fleshy, full-bodied palate is supported by bold yet round tannins. A wine with character, but that still boasts a great deal of elegance along with a long, highly aromatic finish.