Domaine Bachey-Legros, Santenay Rouge 'Clos des Hates' 2023

One of the oldest wineries in the village of Santenay and working with a astonishing array of old vines, there is little wonder as to why the wines of Bachey-Legros have made such an impact in recent years.

This delicious Pinot Noir is made from one single plot of old vines in the village of Santenay, right at the end of the run of villages in the Côte de Beaune. Flavours of red cherries, raspberry and blackberry with notes of forest floor, wet earth and savoury spices. A bright and supporting acidity is married with velvety tannins and a long finish. 

‘Les Hâtes’ is one of the best plots of land in the whole of the village of Santenay without it being a 1er Cru. The vines are protected from adverse weather elements suffering little soil erosion with excellent drainage from gently sloping limestone terroir. Some of these vines, planted in 1935, deliver fruit of incredible concentration and quality. There is a natural power that is enhanced by the winemaking philosophy that emphasises roundness and purity of fruit. 

Ageing takes place in French oak barrels for 14 months: 12 in small barriques with 25% new, before further aging with no racking for 2 months in large vats, enhancing richness and depth. 

In terms of value, this wine is, with its red and white neighbours in Maragnes and Santenay, one of the very best you'll find anywhere in the region. Burgundy prices are soaring and the wines of these two villages represent serious value, especially in the hands of a domaine like this. When compared to other Villages-level wines from the Cote d'Or, they're half the price of most of the others.

With 18 hectares of vineyard on prime sites within Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Maranges this domaine is skilled in both red and white disciplines. Their philosophy in the vineyard is simple, focusing on vine health and acknowledging the achievements of previous generations. Their abundance of old vines gives concentrated grapes that show a famed Burgundian "goût du terroir"

Both reds and whites are treated with minimum extraction that allows for the grapes to sing in the glass with character, flavour and finesse.