VALLET FRÈRES SANTENAY 1ER CRU 'LES GRAVIERES'

Tasting notes:

This delivers attractively ripe Pinot flavours - lightly smoky with plump red fruits, vegetal earthiness and a twist of acidity on the finish.

About the wine:

One of a handful of producers in the Cote d'Or who continue to use ultra-traditional winemaking techniques. Grapes are selected from vines of a minimum 15 years of age; whole bunches are fermented in open top wooden vats using only natural yeasts and no temperature control; the grapes are left on their skins for at least 20 days and the 'cap' is trodden down by the oldest method - by feet! All this extracts as much colour, tannins and fruit as possible but in relation to ripeness and quality of the appellation. The wine is then put into French oak barrels where it matures for a minimum of two years with racking off two or three times a year (to gently remove natural deposits). They don't have a fancy bottling line here - usually a pipe is inserted into each barrel which is joined to four taps, and the wine flows by gravity straight from barrel into the bottles without any filtration and just a candle to check that it's clear!

About the producer:

Vallet Frères was established in 1864. The Vallet family (also known as Bouree Pere et Fils) own holdings in Gevrey Chambertin, Beaune Epenottes (Premier Cru), Charmes-Chambertin (Grand Cru) and the entire single vineyard of Clos de la Justice.

The Vallet family are also negociants, sourcing the best grapes from growers in other areas with whom they have worked for many years. The winery represents the pinnacle of attention to detail, delicate grape selection and a passion for making superb wines. 

Food match:

Delicious with duck served in a fruity, reduced sauce such as orange, red wine or cherry, and equally good with a classic wild mushroom risotto.