Santenay Premier Cru Rouge, Les Gravières, Vincent Girardin, 2018 - Half-bottle

Vincent Girardin's 2018 'Les Gravières' shows the depth and structure this cooler southern Côte de Beaune site can deliver. Sourced from old-vine parcels on the famed Les Gravières slopes, where well-drained gravelly soils give wines both firm backbone and polished fruit, this wine sees careful élevage in French oak with restrained use of new barrels to support, not overwhelm, the terroir’s signature character.

Aromas of dark cherry, bramble and pomegranate are complemented by subtle earthy spice, dried herbs and a hint of sous-bois. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied yet concentrated, with fine-grained tannins and a lively thread of acidity that frames the fruit and leads to a long, poised finish.

Enjoy together with roasted duck breast with a cherry reduction, herb-crusted rack of lamb, boeuf bourguignon, or wild mushroom pâté - dishes with savoury richness that harmonise with the wine’s structure and nuanced fruit.

The 2018 vintage in Burgundy produced ripe, generous fruit with excellent phenolic maturity, and this Santenay reflects those qualities while retaining freshness and clarity.

• ❖ ABV: 13.5%