Jacques Girardin Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes 2015

Jacques Girardin consistently fashions authentic, elegant red Burgundy, but his latest release, the 2015 Domaine Jacques Girardin Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes, may be the finest value in all red Burgundy. Born during the exceptional 2015 vintage, the 2015 Jacques Girardin Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes is fresh, supple, and downright seductive. Elegance and finesse are this wine’s calling cards, as it offers up an enticing bouquet of red and black currants, cherries, and wild woodland berries. Although lithe and delicate in structure, it never lacks for character or flavor. Pure fruit and berry flavors mingle with subtle touches of spice and Burgundian earth to satisfy the palate. In short, this Vieilles Vignes Burgundy Pinot Noir from 50+ year old vines exemplifies the delicacy and finesse inherent in authentic Burgundian Pinot Noir. It should appeal especially to those who are looking for purity, elegance and a sense of terroir in their Pinot Noir. Light, lovely and pleasing from the moment the cork exits the bottle, we see every reason to drink this finely crafted red Burgundy from now through 2020. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest at least 10-15 minutes of aeration prior to serving at cool room temperature. If you have a wedding, anniversary or any occasion that requires a crowd pleaser, this is the wine to serve. Enjoy!

Jacques Girardin’s 2015 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes provides the ideal companion to many of Burgundy’s classic dishes, each of which makes a wonderful tableau upon which to craft a successful dinner party. Coq au Vin immediately springs to mind. Yet, for our taste, almost any chicken or turkey dish prepared with mushrooms or stuffing will pair superbly with Jacques Girardin’s supple, savory old vines Bourgogne Pinot Noir. The savory aspects inherent in the wine and the food play beautifully off one another, which will no doubt cause the bottle to empty quickly. An Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin makes for another splendid dinner companion. The succulent tenderness of the pork wonderfully complements the elegant savory flavors of Girardin’s 2015 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes. Serve the pork with a dried cherry sauce and sides of roasted shallot mashed potatoes and haricot verts for additional gastronomic pleasure. For those who look to the sea for sustenance, we will attest to the wisdom of pairing Girardin’s 2015 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes with salmon, prepared a myriad of ways. Elegant, refined cheeses also shine in the company of this wine. Enjoy!

Domaine Jacques Girardin is the archetypal Burgundy grower and producer, which means winemaking is a true family affair. Everyone in the family is involved. Jacques, his father Jean, and his brother Vincent are all well-known winemakers, and Jacques’ son Justin has now joined their ranks. At Domaine Jacques Girardin, Jacques tends the vineyards, works the cellar, and makes the wines with son Justin, while Jacques’ wife Valerie keeps the books, handles all the sales, and sees to the mounting pile of export regulations that make it increasingly difficult for small family owned wineries to export their wares. For generations, the Girardin family has been well represented among the finest names in Burgundy. Jacques has been producing fine estate bottled offerings at his domaine since 1978, but most importantly, no one consistently offers better quality and value in white and red Burgundy in Santenay than Jacques Girardin.

Domaine Jacques Girardin lies in the south of Burgundy in the commune of Santenay, the most southerly area of the fabled Côte d’Or. It comprises 17 hectares. From this hallowed ground, the domaine produces a range of exceptional red and white wines, featuring Premier Cru sites in Santenay, Savigny-lès-Beaune and Chassagne-Montrachet, and an exceptional Vieilles Vignes (Old Vines) Bourgogne Pinot Noir (this month’s feature). Domaine Jacques Girardin’s red wine Premier Cru sites include Beauregard, La Maladière, and the much heralded Clos Rousseau vineyard in Santenay. Jacques Girardin also fashions tiny quantities of excellent Santenay Blanc Les Terrasses de Bievaux and Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot. All of Girardin’s wines spend time in barriques, of which 20-30% of the barrels are new. The result is supple, beautifully wrought red and white Burgundies that drink extremely well when young. Santé!