Domaine Justin Girardin, Santenay Rouge Vielles Vignes, Burgundy, France, 2022

Producer Profile

Domaine Justin Girardin is very much a family affair, with a winemaking heritage that stretches back to the beginning of the 19th Century. Jacques (brother of Vincent) handed over the running of the 17ha family domaine to his son Justin in 2012. Whilst not being officially certified, Justin uses many organic techniques, as he is passionate about producing wines that express terroir. The results are superbly perfumed, multi-layered wines.

Domaine Justin Girardin is very much a family affair, with a winemaking heritage that stretches back to the beginning of the 19th Century. Jacques (brother of Vincent) handed over the running of the 17ha family domaine to his son Justin in 2012. Whilst not being officially certified, Justin uses many organic techniques, as he is passionate about producing wines that express terroir. The results are superbly perfumed, multi-layered wines.

Viticulture

Pruning style is Cordon de Royat and Guyot simple, manual harvest, green work (de-budding, leaf-thinning,.) Triple sorting, first in the vineyard (twice) and in the winery on sorting table.

Winemaking

Grapes are destemmed, put into vat at 12°c for 5 days for a cold pre-fermentation to extract the primary aromas. Indigenous yeasts, and a smooth extraction respecting the grape variety, terroir and vintage. Fermentation lasts around 20 days. French oak barrels (Allier and Vosges) 15% of new oak. Wine remained for 12 months in barrels.

Tasting Note

This is a surprisingly delicate red wine which is marked by dominant red fruit notes of raspberry and blackcurrant.

Food Matching

A little cliché but white meats such as poultry, pork as well as game. Avoid rich sauces which will mask the delicate flavours.