This is a 17 hectare estate in Santenay, with holdings stretching north to Pommard and Savigny.
We have worked with Justin Girardin since his first solo year at the helm of this family domaine, the 2015 vintage.
The Girardin family traces its Burgundian roots back to 1570, with Justin being the 13th generation. Justin returned to the domaine in 2010, working alongside his parents, Valérie and Jacques, who had bought the domaine from his uncle, Vincent Girardin.
Of the three premiers crus Santenays, Clos Rousseau has the greatest ageing potential and substance, whilst Beauregard is approachable younger, with Maladière sitting somewhere in between. The wines are 100% destemmed.
This is a 17 hectare estate in Santenay, with holdings stretching north to Pommard and Savigny.
We have worked with Justin Girardin since his first solo year at the helm of this family domaine, the 2015 vintage.
The Girardin family traces its Burgundian roots back to 1570, with Justin being the 13th generation. Justin returned to the domaine in 2010, working alongside his parents, Valérie and Jacques, who had bought the domaine from his uncle, Vincent Girardin.
Of the three premiers crus Santenays, Clos Rousseau has the greatest ageing potential and substance, whilst Beauregard is approachable younger, with Maladière sitting somewhere in between. The wines are 100% destemmed.
SANTENAY 1ER CRU BEAUREGARD
Beauregard, with its distinctive windmill, the Moulin de Santenay, is the highest of Justin Girardin’s Santenay holdings, around 50 metres above the others, on the Chassagne side of the appellation. The soils here are the poorest of the three sites. This tends to be the most immediately attractive. Mid-ruby colour in the glass, it has intense cranberry and red cherry aromas, with dark peppery spice. The palate is succulent and remarkably open, with supple raspberry fruit and a hint of undergrowth. The tannins lend body without imposing, as does 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 17
Recommended drinking from 2024-2030
£145.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
SANTENAY 1ER CRU MALADIÈRE
The name Maladière comes from the nearby Maladière of Chagny hospital. This is a sunny, warm site, its wines typically spicier, with darker berries. It is a south-east facing vineyard, with deeper soils, located in the centre of the appellation. Justin has 0.7 hectares here. Mid-ruby colour, with lovely pure raspberry fruit on the nose and that trademark darker streak which, for me, sets Maladière apart. The palate is perfumed and supple, with a saline line picking out the fruit flavours beautifully. 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5
Recommended drinking from 2023-2029
£135.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
SANTENAY 1ER CRU CLOS ROUSSEAU
Clos Rousseau has deeper, heavier clay soils and its vines’ roots have dug further, which seems to confer a greater profundity, concentration and age-worthiness on the resulting wine. Justin has almost one hectare here. This is the most concentrated and intense of the three, with an additional layer of raspberry ripeness over the fine tannins. Succulent, with a sense of presence and great ageing potential. Sumptuous Burgundian Pinot Noir need not come with a crazy price tag. Buy this!! 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2025-2031+
£135.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
POMMARD
The domaine’s Pommard is made from four parcels, two in Les Vignots, one in Les Cras and another in Les Combes. A dark-fruited nose, peppery and with a bitter chocolate decadence. The palate’s rich blackberry fruit is set off against a fresh acidic backbone. The most imposing vintage of this wine I have seen, seriously impressive from Justin Girardin, who aims for an approachable, elegant style of Pommard. So there is no pigeage, just regular pumping over at the beginning of vinification. 25% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5-18
Recommended drinking from 2023-2029
£195.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
SANTENAY 1ER CRU BEAUREGARD
Beauregard, with its distinctive windmill, the Moulin de Santenay, is the highest of Justin Girardin’s Santenay holdings, around 50 metres above the others, on the Chassagne side of the appellation. The soils here are the poorest of the three sites. This tends to be the most immediately attractive. Mid-ruby colour in the glass, it has intense cranberry and red cherry aromas, with dark peppery spice. The palate is succulent and remarkably open, with supple raspberry fruit and a hint of undergrowth. The tannins lend body without imposing, as does 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 17
Recommended drinking from 2024-2030
£145.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
SANTENAY 1ER CRU MALADIÈRE
The name Maladière comes from the nearby Maladière of Chagny hospital. This is a sunny, warm site, its wines typically spicier, with darker berries. It is a south-east facing vineyard, with deeper soils, located in the centre of the appellation. Justin has 0.7 hectares here. Mid-ruby colour, with lovely pure raspberry fruit on the nose and that trademark darker streak which, for me, sets Maladière apart. The palate is perfumed and supple, with a saline line picking out the fruit flavours beautifully. 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5
Recommended drinking from 2023-2029
£135.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
SANTENAY 1ER CRU CLOS ROUSSEAU
Clos Rousseau has deeper, heavier clay soils and its vines’ roots have dug further, which seems to confer a greater profundity, concentration and age-worthiness on the resulting wine. Justin has almost one hectare here. This is the most concentrated and intense of the three, with an additional layer of raspberry ripeness over the fine tannins. Succulent, with a sense of presence and great ageing potential. Sumptuous Burgundian Pinot Noir need not come with a crazy price tag. Buy this!! 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2025-2031+
£135.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
POMMARD
The domaine’s Pommard is made from four parcels, two in Les Vignots, one in Les Cras and another in Les Combes. A dark-fruited nose, peppery and with a bitter chocolate decadence. The palate’s rich blackberry fruit is set off against a fresh acidic backbone. The most imposing vintage of this wine I have seen, seriously impressive from Justin Girardin, who aims for an approachable, elegant style of Pommard. So there is no pigeage, just regular pumping over at the beginning of vinification. 25% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5-18
Recommended drinking from 2023-2029
£195.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK