Region: Santenay Clos de Tavannes, Burgundy, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Tasting Notes: 100% destemmed, and one-quarter new oak. This is a supple expression of the Pinot grape. Pure, focused crunchy red cherry and berry fruits. Ethereal and fresh silkiness. Very bright and elegant, showing great detail and precision.
Pairing: This bottle wants to be enjoyed with leaner cuts of red meat, mushroom sauces, and light umami flavors. One of my favorite dishes to enjoy with this style is a Japanese dashi with noodles and beef. This Niku Udon (Japanese Beef Noodle Soup) by J. Kenji López-Alt is a perfect example, and can be built upon with several other ingredients!
About: Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard is a Burgundy wine producer based in the village of Chassagne-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune. It produces a single grand cru wine made from Chardonnay from a 0.4 hectare (one acre) holding in the Bâtard-Montrachet vineyard, as well as a large number of (predominantly white) premier cru wines from vineyard holdings across Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay.
The domaine is named after Jean-Noël Gagnard, who managed the domaine from 1960 until 1989. Caroline Lestimé took over from her father in 1989, though Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard still retains his name. The estate’s modern reputation has very much been built by Caroline, who has made it her responsibility to develop the many expressions of Chassagne Montrachet terroirs across her range.
She has implemented several significant developments in the vineyards – most notably planting new Chardonnay clones and abandoning the use of chemical fertilizers and herbicides.
Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard makes two premier cru wines from Pinot Noir grapes cultivated on plots situated in the Premier Cru vineyards of Clos Saint-Jean and Morgeot. A numer of village-level wines and a pair of Hautes Côte de Beaune labels are produced.
