# Beaune Premier Cru Les Vignes Franches (2018)

- **Producer:** Jean-Claude Boisset
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.4%
- **Average price:** €510
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–17 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red plum, black cherry, red cherry, vanilla, coffee, cloves, chocolate, tobacco, earth, mocha, forest floor

## About this wine

The Jean-Claude Boisset Beaune Premier Cru Les Vignes Franches 2018 originates from Burgundy's Côte de Beaune. The vineyard's name, 'Les Vignes Franches,' historically refers to land that was free from taxation. This Premier Cru site is located on the mid-slope of Beaune, near the border with Pommard, and is known for producing wines with significant aging potential. The producer, Jean-Claude Boisset, emphasizes a philosophy of 'origin, purity, elegance,' aiming to capture the essence of the terroir and vintage with minimal intervention. Winemaker Grégory Patriat champions the use of native yeasts and a hands-off approach to winemaking, allowing the natural character of the grapes and land to shine through.

## Interesting facts

- 'Vignes Franches' means 'free vines,' a historical nod to tax-exempt land.
- Vineyard is on the southern end of Beaune's Premier Cru sites.
- Uses native yeasts for fermentation, a core part of the producer's philosophy.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium body and silky tannins are well-suited to complement the protein in dishes like duck and lamb. Its firm acidity can cut through the richness of braised meats and creamy sauces, while its fruit notes can harmonize with fruit-based reductions or earthy mushrooms.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for this Beaune Premier Cru begins with a hand-picked harvest. Fermentation occurs traditionally in open vats, utilizing native yeasts to capture the essence of the terroir. Complete malolactic fermentation is carried out. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes aging for 10 to 12 months in French oak barrels, with 25% of these being new, sourced from the Louis Latour cooperage and medium toasted. The producer's philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, aiming to reflect the purity of the origin and the elegance of the vintage.