From: Beaune, Burgundy
Varietal: Pinot Noir
This wine. “Brisk pink purple, rather an elegant nose. The fruit is mostly in the cherry register, with a touch of zestful pepper, balanced and fresh. Those who hanker for cooler times should buy this!” - Jasper Morris
Taste: Lovely and lifted, this red-fruit forward Pinot is charming and refreshing with notes of red cherries, currant, raspberry, rhubarb and baking spices - cinnamon and a dash of pepper in particular, taking the lead. On the palate, those red berry fruits plus spice persist along with a note of red apple skin and a bright, textural spine that keeps the wine balanced and elegant. Seriously pretty, you’ll want another glass before you know it.
Pairing: A charcuterie and fromage board, Aosta Valley ham, veal chops or cutlet, poult roti served with sautéed mushrooms, roast duck, coq au vin, mushroom and farro or risotto, a French rolled omelet with mushrooms and fromage blanc or poached eggs, like Oafs en Meurette (check out the omelet recipe below! You’ll have to add the
mushrooms on the side; (recipe below the omelet) it’s worth it).
Fines Herbes OmeletRecipe from Jacques Pépin
Adapted by Jacques Pepin
About. Maison Camille Giroud ranks among the most venerable as well as the most dynamic of the boutique négociants in Burgundy. Founded in 1865, Giroud earned an impeccable reputation over the last 150 years as a specialist in traditional vins de garde. They had a few hectares of their own vines, but the vast majority of their wines were purchased from top-ranked growers across the region. They’d then age these wines in their cellars until they reached peak maturity; sometimes decades later.
In 2001, Giroud was acquired by a group of investment bankers led by wine collector Joe Wender and his wife, Napa cult vintner Ann Colgin. They hired wunderkind David Croix not only to manage the distinguished cellar but also to begin acquiring grapes and making first-class wines. Croix accomplished this goal with flying colors and has now been succeeded by the highly-talented Carel Voorhuis who is crafting similarly pure, seductive and terroir-driven wines; and is continuing to manage the valuable cellar.
During the tenure of winemaker David Croix, all wines were made from purchased grapes, with the exception of three cuvées: Beaune Les Avaux and Aux Cras, and Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Au Crêtot (this wine). Most of the grapes purchased come from old vines – up to 90 years old in some cases – and all come from producers with whom the maison has longstanding personal relationships.
This Maison occupies a singular niche in Burgundy: it is at the same time among the most dependable and exciting sources of fully mature, traditional Burgundy, and one of the best sources for transparent, terroir-driven current-vintage Burgundy.
Located in the middle of Beaune, a diversity of terroir allows for delicious variety within Maison Camille Giroud. From perfumed, plush reds to perfumed whites; their precise wines are made from plots all across the famed Côte d’Or – what unites each parcel is a signature precision and character.
Winemaking. All grapes are sorted twice. Reds are partially or fully de-stemmed depending on the vintage, and vinified in stainless steel. Whites are vinified in 228- to 600-litre casks; the choice of barrels for ageing is carefully matched to the appellation, and only 15-30% of maturation involves new oak. All wines are fermented with natural yeasts, bottled without fining and with only coarse filtration.