Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Avaux', Jane Eyre, 2021
Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Avaux', Jane Eyre, 2021
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2035
About Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Avaux', Jane Eyre, 2021
Jane observes that "a year in a barrel does amazing things". The very concentrated 2020s ("like Barossa shiraz" she quips) have softened and developed brighter perfumes and elegance, and the lighter 2021s have fleshed out, increasing in intensity and are "matier" or more substantial. "They needed time to grow" which provides even more excitement for this tight and fragrant 2021 vintage.
Jane draws the comparison with 2007, a lighter weight vintage which initially went under the radar but has aged extremely well and rather longer than was expected, now providing very fine and harmonious drinking across a number of domaines.
Currently showing its graceful maturity after Jane's patient barrel ageing, this 2021 is drinking beautifully now with its fruit and earthy complexity in harmony. Over the next 2-3 years, expect the cherry fruit to integrate further while the savoury, mushroomy character becomes more pronounced.
What the critics say:
"Dried flowers, cloves, porcini and wild, dark berries on the nose of this savory, mossy red. It’s medium-bodied with excellent tension, framed by tight, fine-grained tannins. Elegant. Drink or hold."
"The crop has been matured in 3 x 228 and 1 x 350 litre barrels, the latter one year old. A palish crimson colour. The nose is really perfumed, this is a fine discreet Beaune with nonetheless a bit of fruit weight beneath. Pure and pretty with attractive cherry notes. Good but not trenchant acidity. Drink from 2025-2030. Tasted: October 2022."
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale crimson with bright clarity and a delicate rim.
NosePerfumed and discreet with dried flowers, cloves, and porcini mushrooms emerging first. Wild dark berries and cherry develop with air, alongside subtle mossy earthiness that speaks to the premier cru terroir.
PalateMedium-bodied with excellent tension and fine-grained tannins that frame rather than dominate. Pure cherry fruit shows attractive weight beneath the elegant structure, while savoury elements add complexity without overwhelming the delicate fruit core.
FinishClean and harmonious with gentle persistence and a final flourish of spice.
Overall impressionA wine that rewards the producer's patience with its transformation from lightweight to genuinely substantial.
Food Pairings
In Beaune, this would traditionally accompany coq au vin made with the local Pinot Noir, the wine's earthy undertones complementing the rich, wine-braised chicken. Escargots de Bourgogne with garlic and parsley butter would highlight the wine's mineral backbone, while a classic boeuf bourguignon would match its savoury complexity. The local Chaource cheese, with its creamy texture and mushroomy rind, would echo the wine's porcini character beautifully.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to preserve the wine's delicate perfume and elegant structure. No need to decant – this wine shows its character immediately and benefits from being served in large Burgundy glasses that concentrate the subtle aromatics. Open 30 minutes before serving to allow the earthy complexity to emerge fully.
Les Avaux is one of Beaune's most respected premier cru vineyards, located on the gentle slopes above the town. The limestone-rich soils with good drainage help produce wines with natural elegance and mineral backbone. The slightly cooler microclimate of this site particularly suits lighter vintages like 2021, allowing the grapes to retain freshness while developing complexity.
Beaune Premier Cru represents some of Burgundy's most reliable and food-friendly wines, sitting between the accessibility of village Beaune and the power of grand cru sites. The appellation encompasses numerous premier cru vineyards around the historic wine town, each offering subtle variations on Pinot Noir's theme. Beaune premier crus are prized for their elegance and ability to age gracefully without the premium prices of neighbouring Pommard or Volnay.
The 2021 growing season in Burgundy started badly and got worse before pulling off one of wine's great escapes. Spring frost in April devastated vineyards across the Côte d'Or, followed by a summer that alternated between biblical downpours and scorching heat. Many producers lost 50% or more of their crop to the frost alone, then watched hail batter what remained in some unlucky villages. By August, with rot creeping through rain-soaked vineyards, even the most optimistic vignerons were writing off the vintage.
What emerged from this chaos surprised everyone: wines with remarkable freshness and purity, if you can find them. The tiny yields meant those grapes that survived were intensely concentrated, while the September sunshine saved the day with perfect ripening conditions. We find the reds show beautiful fruit clarity without heaviness, drinking with an immediacy that makes them irresistible now but promising a decade or more of evolution. The whites are particularly stunning, with a mineral intensity that cuts through their richness. Yes, there's not much 2021 Burgundy about, and yes, it's expensive, but this is one of those vintages where disaster bred greatness.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Elegant and perfumed with dried flowers, wild berries, and earthy mushroom undertones, framed by fine tannins and excellent tension.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking beautifully now and will continue to develop gracefully until around 2035, following the pattern of other successful lighter Burgundian vintages.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Classic Burgundian dishes like coq au vin or boeuf bourguignon, roasted game birds, mushroom risotto, or soft cheeses with earthy rinds.
Should I decant this wine?
No need to decant – serve at 16-17°C in large Burgundy glasses and open 30 minutes before serving to let the aromatics develop.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Yes, this has the structure and balance to age gracefully for several more years, potentially surprising with its longevity like other lighter Burgundian vintages.
How does this compare to other Beaune premier crus?
This represents the elegant, food-friendly style that makes Beaune premier cru so reliable, with more finesse than power but genuine premier cru complexity and ageing potential.
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