Fixin, La Place, Domaine Jean Tardy et Fils, 2021
Fixin, La Place, Domaine Jean Tardy et Fils, 2021
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2034
Fixin sits just north of Gevrey-Chambertin and gets rather overlooked for it, which suits those of us who know it well just fine. Domaine Jean Tardy et Fils, based in Vosne-Romanée and now in the capable hands of Guillaume Tardy, brings the same fastidious, low-intervention approach here that has made their grander appellations so sought after. This Fixin 'La Place' is Pinot Noir with a firm handshake: cherry and redcurrant fruit, but with the structure and savoury grip that marks out this underrated corner of the Côte de Nuits.
"Ripe, fresh and cool aromas include those of spiced plum, newly turned earth and a whiff of the sauvage. The rich, succulent and generous medium weight flavors exude a subtle minerality that provides a sense of lift to the youthfully austere, refreshing and inviting finale that exhibits just a bit more depth."
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Drink it with something on the table rather than alone. There's real substance here for the price.
At the time of writing, in 2026, the fruit is still quite forward, with the tannins doing most of the talking. Over the next two to three years expect the cherry and redcurrant to recede slightly as earthier, more savoury notes take over, a typical Fixin transformation. By 2029 or so it should hit a lovely mid-life stride, all the components knitted together, and it will hold comfortably there until around 2034.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceMedium ruby with a bright, youthful rim.
NoseRed cherry and redcurrant sit alongside a savoury, earthy undertow, with a faint whisper of clove from careful oak handling.
PalateBright acidity and fine but assertive tannins frame the red fruit, with a stony, mineral edge that marks this out from softer village Burgundies.
FinishFirm and savoury, with lingering dried herb and a touch of grip.
Overall impressionAn honest, structured Côte de Nuits red that rewards a little patience.
Food Pairings
In the villages around Fixin, this would land on the table with coq au vin or a simple roast guinea fowl, the wine's savoury grip cutting through the richness of the sauce. Jambon persillé, that cold parsleyed ham so beloved of Burgundian bistros, is a classic match. A wedge of Époisses, if you can stand the smell, also does wonders alongside a glass of this. Think rustic, slow-cooked, and unapologetically regional.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C, cooler than you might a Bordeaux, to keep that cherry fruit fresh against the firmer tannins. Decant for 30-45 minutes if drinking now, which helps soften the youthful grip. A classic Burgundy glass, wide-bowled, will do the aromatics every favour.
Fixin's vineyards lie on the same limestone and clay backbone as Gevrey-Chambertin, just a stone's throw to the north, with soils that are often stonier and better draining at this elevation on the slope. The cooler, more exposed sites here tend to produce wines with a slightly firmer, more linear character than their famous neighbour. It's terroir that rewards patience in the cellar rather than instant gratification in the glass.
Fixin is a village appellation in the Côte de Nuits, tucked between Dijon and Gevrey-Chambertin, and has long lived in the shadow of its grander neighbours despite sharing much of the same geological backbone. The wines are typically sturdier and more rustic than Gevrey, with firmer tannins and less immediate charm, but they offer genuine Côte de Nuits character at a fraction of the price. It's one of Burgundy's better-kept secrets for those willing to wait a little.
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?
Crunchy red cherry and redcurrant fruit with a savoury, earthy edge and firm, grippy tannins typical of the Côte de Nuits.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking well now but will be even better from 2028, and should hold its character until 2034.
What food should I pair it with?
Classic Burgundian fare works best: coq au vin, roast guinea fowl, or a good charcuterie board with jambon persillé.
How should I serve it?
Serve at 16-17°C and decant for half an hour if opening young. A Burgundy glass helps show off the aromatics.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Yes, Fixin from a producer this careful has real structure and will reward a few years in the cellar rather than being drunk on release.
How does this compare to Gevrey-Chambertin?
Fixin shares the same geological backbone but tends to be firmer and less immediately charming, offering genuine Côte de Nuits character at a friendlier price.
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