2023 Vincent Girardin Beaune 1er Cru Clos Des Aigrots, Burgundy

Tucked just above the town on the Beaune side, Clos des Aigrots is a walled Premier Cru that often shows a more structured, slightly darker expression of Pinot Noir, and Vincent Girardin brings a polished, modern touch to it. Having moved toward a more terroir focused, lower intervention style in recent years, Girardin now lets sites like this speak with greater clarity.

The wine opens with a deeper red fruit profile, cherry, raspberry and a hint of plum, layered with rose petal and a gentle spice note. There is a savoury thread building underneath, earth, a touch of forest floor and subtle oak adding a bit of grip and warmth.

On the palate it sits in the medium bodied range, with fine but present tannins giving the wine structure and shape. The fruit is concentrated without being heavy, supported by a line of freshness that keeps everything balanced. Flavours move into more savoury territory, spice, dried herbs and a faint mineral edge, finishing long with a lightly earthy, persistent note.

Girardin’s winemaking here is measured, careful extraction and thoughtful oak use building texture and depth while preserving the vineyard character.

This is a great match for dishes with a bit of savoury weight. Duck with a cherry glaze works beautifully, but it also shines with something like roast quail with spices, grilled tuna with sesame, or even a charred pork dish with herbs. For vegetarian options, think a mushroom and thyme tart, lentil and herb dishes, or roasted root vegetables, the wine’s structure and savoury notes handling those flavours with ease.

Drinking well now with some air, it will continue to evolve over the next eight to twelve years, gaining more earthy, complex layers while softening its edges.