2018 Santenay Les Gravieres

Le Grappin is the brainchild of Andrew Nielsen, who was bitten by the wine-bug courtesy of a bottle of Dujac’s Clos de la Roche. His aim at Le Grappin is to “seek out special sites in the over-looked, under-appreciated reaches of Burgundy…. to ensure the wine reaches its true potential.” Thanks to his great connections with growers in the region, organic viticulture and meticulous selection of only the best fruit, the single-vineyard wines consistently show magnificently pure fruit, wonderful aromatics, a silky texture and a defining sense of delicate finesse and elegance. Although we absolutely adore both the whites and the reds, in 2018 we especially loved the red Les Gravieres – a new addition to the range in this vintage. The fruit hails from a site very close to the border with Chassagne-Montrachet, with 45 and 70-year-old vines grown on gravelly white soil. The Nielsens were so impressed with the quality of the fruit that they decided to make their first 100% whole cluster Pinot Noir which has resulted in a wine that has wonderful fruit purity and freshness. As Jamie Goode has observed, "Nielsen is very light on his extraction with the red wines, and the result is real elegance", and this is especially true of this wine. A really lovely wine, offering superb value for this level of care and attention to reflecting the very best and purest take on lesser-known Burgundy terroirs. Click 'Request To Buy' below, email wine@frw.co.uk or contact your Account Manager directly. This Santennay Les Gravieres is made with 100% whole clusters, such is the quality of the fruit in 2018. Aromas of black cherry, blossom and spice unfurl from the glass without much coaxing. Ultra-soft tannins work in tandem with a fine acidity to create a wine of measured delicacy, backed up by a core of cherries, blackberries and a melange of black fruit. A focussed finish rounds of this elegant and seductive wine.