Côte de Beaune "Clos des Topes Bizot" rouge 2022 Chantal Lescure | Burgundy

Among the estate's mosaic of crus, Chantal Lescure 's Côte de Beaune rouge Clos des Topes Bizot stands out as the standard-bearer of an almost secret terroir. Nestled on the top of the Beaune mountain, just above the 1er Cru L'Écu, this east-facing monopole vineyard rests on a very stony clay-limestone soil, the guarantee of a rare mineral tension. The old vines, planted in 1960, reach deep into the soil to produce a racy Pinot Noir, while the organic viticulture begun in the early 2000s by Chantal Lescure's sons bears witness to a pioneering commitment in Burgundy. Hand harvesting, de-stemmed and uncrushed grapes, gravity-fed vatting, fermentation with indigenous yeasts and careful ageing in barrels: these are the precise gestures that sculpt the silky texture of this wine.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: This Côte de Beaune rouge Clos des Topes Bizot from Domaine Chantal Lescure reveals the typical finesse of a Beaune 1er Cru. Thanks to its skilful ageing, this cuvée displays a unique aromatic depth, well beyond the standards of its appellation. Serve chilled to fully grasp its salivating length and typicity.

The nose opens with an intense bouquet of morello cherry, wild strawberry and blackcurrant. A touch of violet underlines the floral delicacy of the grape variety, while a hint of sweet spices, pink pepper and cloves, add depth and relief to the bouquet. On aeration, a deep framework of undergrowth and smoke brings remarkable depth to the whole.

On the palate, juicy red fruits combine with hints of licorice and violets. Silky-grained tannins caress the palate before stretching to a sensation of fresh chalk and sweet pepper. The richness of the fruit returns on the finish, whose persistent, harmonious minerality leaves us with the memory of a veritable digest of the Côte de Beaune's singular character.