Domaine Benoit Girardin

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The latest star in the famous Girardin family, Benoit spent nine years working at the family estate in before inheriting 8ha from his father Yves, which he farms and bottles under his own name. There have been many great names in the Girardin family, including his uncle Vincent, and rising star Benoit is arguably the most exciting yet, with a very bright future indeed.

Tasting at the Domaine for the first time was an eye-opening experience, with impressive transparency to terroir across the different cuvees. The vineyards are harvested by hand and the reds are all de-stemmed with no filtration. Stylistically the wines are supple, food-friendly and gourmandise, and it’s not surprising to see them well-regarded by sommeliers and regularly appearing on wine lists in Paris.

The Wine

Santenay is certainly one of Beaune’s rising appellations, and it is domaines like Benoit Girardin that are very much leading the charge, crafting wines that possess the classic boldness of the village yet with greater finesse and minerality.

Tasting across whites and reds at the domaine is a real pleasure, and the former are wonderfully floral with lovely fruit purity, whilst the latter have gorgeous red fruit with excellent tannic structure. From the village wines in Santenay, Chassagne and Savigny to the 1er Crus, each cuvee shows the terroir beautifully.

The cherry on top are the prices, which are well below what you would expect for wine of this quality. Each comes with our highest recommendation.