# Beaune Premier Cru Boucherottes (2023)

- **Producer:** Le Grappin
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €55
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–17 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** strawberry, raspberry, cherry, rose, violet, cedar

## About this wine

Le Grappin was founded in 2011 by Australian winemaker Andrew Nielsen and his wife Emma. After leaving an advertising career to pursue oenology, Andrew gained hands-on experience in California, Australia, New Zealand, and under Patrick Bize in Savigny-les-Beaune. Operating as a micro-négociant in the Côte de Beaune, he seeks out underappreciated, high-quality parcels. Les Boucherottes is an 8.54-hectare Premier Cru site situated on Beaune's southern border, directly adjacent to Pommard, combining regional power and elegance.

## Interesting facts

- Winemaker Andrew Nielsen was affectionately nicknamed 'Obelix' by local Burgundian vignerons.
- Les Boucherottes directly borders Pommard, marrying Pommard's structure with Beaune's floral perfumed aromatic character.
- Andrew Nielsen was named one of the 'Top 25 Négociant Winemakers in Burgundy' by Tim Atkin MW.

## Food pairing

The structured, fine-grained tannins and bright, fresh acidity of this Premier Cru Pinot Noir effortlessly cut through rich proteins and savory fats. The earthy, dark-fruit depth pairs seamlessly with game birds, braised beef, and mushroom-driven dishes.

## Wine making process

Hand-harvested Pinot Noir from ~50-year-old vines is vinified with 95% whole clusters in open wooden vats using 100% indigenous yeasts, without sulfur additions during maceration. Following 13 days of skin contact, the wine undergoes gentle basket pressing. Maturation takes place over 21 months in older neutral oak casks (350L and 500L) to preserve varietal and terroir expression. Bottled unfined and unfiltered with a minimal dose of sulfur added only prior to bottling.