2020 Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Santenay 1er Cru Les Prarons Dessus

From the beautiful year 2020 with the very low yields due to the frost comes this delicious Pinot Noir. A place called Santenay that is not a 1er Cru... at least as far as its price is concerned, because if we talk about balance or aging potential, this structured Pinot Noir has a bright future. Les Prarons Dessus is one of the northernmost vineyards of Santenay, bordering Chassagne 1er Cru Morgeot and just below Clos de Tavannes. The chalky soils here are rich in red clay which, combined with the old vines, produces a darker, rounder Santenay with more flesh and finer tannins. This is a third whole bunch, and the wine was aged in traditional 228 liter barrels (20% new). This Bachelet-Monnot Les Prarons Dessus Santenay 1er Cru will delight any Burgundy lover because the wine is an example of class and finesse. In the nose we experience aromas of small red fruit that evolves nicely to some earthy notes as the glass is opened. The nicely integrated wood also provides a pleasant extra dimension. This wine can be perfectly drunk in its youth but can easily age a bit.

The Bachelet family is very well known in the Côte d'Or, they own plots on some of the most famous vineyards in Burgundy. Nevertheless, the family had some disagreements about the way things were going on at the estate. The youngest generation, brothers Marc and Alex, did not panic and studied viticulture at university and did internships elsewhere in France and America. When they returned to Burgundy, their grandfather decided not to give parts of his land to his own sons, but to his two grandsons. From day one, both boys threw themselves into their new work with great dedication. 2005 was the first harvest year that Marc and Alex Bachelet worked independently. The gentlemen have in common that they are both enormous perfectionists and also very eager to learn. They continuously try to improve and perfect things at the estate and with every visit things have changed, from the size of the barrels, the duration of the maturation, to the temperature of the cellar. In addition to the great wines they make in the prestigious villages of Puligny and Chassagne, Marc and Alexandre Bachelet also make exemplary wines in Maranges and Santenay.