Horizon de Bichot Pinot Noir

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 forgrands 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.

Limoux is located due south of Carcassonne in the Languedoc region of south-west France, close to the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. Pinot Noir, as a single varietal, has to be labelled as a "Vin de France" and the fruit is sourced from 4 different climatic areas giving notable characteristics to the wine. Seeking out wines with dense fruitiness as well as structure to allow for longer ageing periods led us to the Upper Valley (south of Limoux) terroirs for the finesse and freshness of their grapes, which are complemented by grapes from the Mediterranean and Autan terroirs for added intensity and body.

The colour is a bright and deep red ruby. The nose initially is quite floral with notes of violet and roses after a light aeration, a hint of red berries starts to appear, with wild strawberryand red cherry, a few moments later, light spicy notes complete this picture with cinnamon, liquorice and black pepper. In the mouth, the first taste is smooth thanks to round and rich tannins. The mid-palate is marked by a light touch of refreshing acidity which enhances a beautiful freshness, along with good length to the finish with spice and red fruit flavours combining together well.