2020 Caroline Lestimé Cremant de Bourgogne "Grand Lys" Rosé, Burgundy, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

The Crémant de Bourgogne ‘Grand Lys’ is a Blanc de Noirs, made from 100% Pinot Noir, sourced from the ‘Clos Bortier’ site in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Aged for three years on its lees with a low dosage, this is a sparkling wine that embraces Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard’s signature richness and complexity. The domain also produces a Crémant de Bourgogne rosé: the ‘Lys’ Rosé. The Pinot Noir for this cuvee is sourced from the limestone marl slopes overlooking the village of Saint-Aubin. Made using the ‘saignée’ method, the final wine is aged on its lees for 12 months and displays vibrant acidity alongside delicate redcurrant and wild strawberry notes.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard has been run by Caroline Lestimé, Jean-Noël’s daughter, since 1989. Their 12.5 hectares of vineyards have been certified organic since 2014 and are also farmed using biodynamic principles. Most of Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard’s vineyards are in the heart of Chassagne, although they own one vineyard, ‘Clos Bortier’, in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Planted in 2015, this site is just above Saint-Aubin and produces particularly sought-after wines.

In the best sense of the phrase, Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard create ‘low intervention’ wines, each expressing its site's nuanced character. Their wines are defined by a touch of reduction, creating a lovely ‘struck match’ character alongside intense crystalline fruit that unfurls on the palate. Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard utilises whole-bunch pressing in their winemaking and ferment in oak, a maximum of 30% of which is new, with a very light toast. Their wines generally age for about 18 months in oak before bottling and display a lovely purity of fruit due to the low toast of the oak. These expressive wines reward patience and blossom with extended ageing in bottle.