2020 Justin Girardin Santenay "Les Terrasses de Bievaux" (White) Burgundy France

WHY WE LOVE IT
In old French ‘bievaux’ means ‘beautiful valley’.
Historically this land was reputed to produce excellent white wines but, after the destruction of the vineyards by the Phylloxera pest, this hillside was left abandoned.
In the 1960s a number of vines were replanted and in view of the quality of the resulting wine, the entire hillside was replanted between 1970 and 1986.
The clay-limestone soil gives elegance to the perfectly-ripe Chardonnay.
Less than 20% of Santenay production is white wine.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay

Elaboration: Hand picked grapes, 12 months in oak barrels ( 15% new barrels)

Tasting Notes: This is a mineral-driven wine; both well-structured and balanced, with abundant flavors of ripe trees fruits, juicy lemons, and hints of vanilla. Rich and nutty in the long finish; this beautiful wine is reminiscent of a Chassagne-Montrachet.

PRESS
Rated 91 Points Decanter

PRODUCER BACKGROUND
The Girardin name has been synonymous with elite level Burgundy for 700 years, most recently through the wines of Justin’s uncle, Vincent Girardin, and his father, Jacques Girardin. With the provenance of this family’s holdings and the talent seemingly entrenched in this bloodline, Justin is more than a name to watch – He is without question one of the most exciting young names in the region, farming 17 hectares of vines in Pommard, Chassagne Montrachet, and Savigny-lès-Beaune using organic and biodynamic practices.

Transparency is the name of the game – Only native yeast is used here, and it is rare to experience the influence of new oak in any of Justin’s bottlings. The family believes in clonal diversity as both a way to preserve culture and a way to increase complexity of finished wines – You’ll see a dizzying number of clonal selections in each of their vineyard holdings. These are Burgundies of precision, and also wines that deliver tremendous value.