Domaine Gruhier Bourgogne Épineuil Rouge 2023, Burgundy, Organic

Domaine Gruhier Bourgogne Épineuil Rouge is a certified organic Pinot Noir from the village of Épineuil in the Tonnerrois, northern Burgundy, where the vines grow on the same Kimmeridgian limestone as nearby Chablis. This is Dominique Gruhier’s estate red, blended from parcels across the appellation and made to be fruit-driven and easy to enjoy. Fermentation is with wild yeasts, and the wine is aged for around a year in 228- and 400-litre barrels, mostly older wood, with sulphur added only once, shortly before bottling.

In the glass it is a bright, light ruby. The nose is fresh and pure, with red cherry, raspberry and redcurrant, a touch of violet and a subtle earthy note. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with crunchy red fruit, lively acidity and fine, soft tannins, finishing clean and refreshing: a cool-climate Burgundy with real charm.

Serve slightly cool, at 14–16°C, with charcuterie, roast chicken, pork, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto or soft cheeses. Domaine Gruhier Épineuil Rouge is lovely now and will keep well for 3–5 years.

Domaine Dominique Gruhier lies in Épineuil, in the Tonnerrois of northern Burgundy, a short drive north-east of Chablis and on the same Kimmeridgian limestone. Dominique, who grew up in nearby Tonnerre, began buying vines here around 1990, and the domaine is housed in Le Petit Quincy, a monastic grange built in 1212 by the Cistercian monks of the Abbaye de Quincy. He started farming organically in 2003, and the estate, around 25 hectares of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a little Pinot Gris, is certified organic by Ecocert. Dominique vinifies parcels separately to bring out the best sites, uses wild yeasts, older and larger barrels and minimal sulphur, and handles Pinot Noir gently to keep its natural elegance.