# Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune "Les Belles Roches"

- **Producer:** Paul Aegerter
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €20
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** griotte cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant, licorice, spice, undergrowth, earth

## About this wine

Les Belles Roches is a red wine from the Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune appellation in Burgundy, France, produced by Paul Aegerter. It is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes grown on clay-limestone soils. The Aegerter family estate, founded in 1988, is now managed by Paul Aegerter, who is dedicated to expressing the unique terroir of Burgundy. This particular wine is part of their 'Les Grands Classiques' collection, emphasizing an authentic reflection of its origin. A distinctive aspect of its production is the aging process, which takes place entirely in stainless steel tanks. This method is intentionally chosen to preserve the wine's natural freshness and the pure, fruit-forward character of the Pinot Noir, setting it apart from wines that undergo oak aging.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Les Belles Roches' translates to 'The Beautiful Rocks', hinting at the stony terroir.
- This wine is part of the 'Les Grands Classiques' collection, aiming for terroir authenticity.
- Aging in stainless steel is a deliberate choice to highlight pure fruit, not oak influence.
- The appellation covers nearly 780 hectares across 29 communes.

## Food pairing

The medium body and ripe tannins of this Pinot Noir make it versatile. Its bright acidity cuts through richer dishes, while its fruit notes complement earthy flavors and complement the protein in meats. It pairs well with dishes that have balanced flavors, avoiding overly heavy or spicy elements.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Les Belles Roches begins with hand-harvested and sorted Pinot Noir grapes. A pre-fermentation maceration is carried out in stainless steel tanks for two to four days. Alcoholic fermentation is then initiated using native yeasts, a method that respects the natural character of the grapes and terroir. After fermentation, malolactic fermentation and aging also take place exclusively in stainless steel tanks. This approach is a conscious decision to maintain the wine's freshness and emphasize its pure fruit-forward profile, avoiding any oak influence.