Domaine Pierre Labet

This presents lemongrass and green apple on the nose. François does not believe in stirring, the fermentation process itself creating natural movement. This is something of a no-brainer - verging on decadence – but with just enough acidic backbone adding refreshment

François Labet is a perfectionist with a steely determination regarding what he wants to see in his red and white wines. “It’s easy to make whites, you just focus on the acids”, is his view allied to his goal for excellent ingredients. Well his vision reaps considerable rewards. Here we find stone fruit, with a hint of tropical exoticism, a dash of grapefruit and that all-important acidic backbone. 2015 presents a more flamboyant wine than in some vintages perhaps, but a little decadence doesn't hurt.

The Bourgogne Chardonnay comes from two plots in Chorey-lès-Beaune. The nose here shows ripe white peach and a little green melon, with a gratifying bite of flinty minerality. The palate is crunchy and precise – that all-important acidity – with a grippiness and a saltiness to the finish and an old vine fruit intensity which prevails throughout a long, poised finish.

2017, first and foremost, presents us with a delicious expression of Pinot Noir. François likes to stress that this wine is about the grape rather than the terroir as it comes from three different plots. They are all in Chorey-lès-Beaune, which has more clay than the Côte, being located at the beginning of the plain. Brightly red fruited, with a nice crunchiness of fruit and very crisp acidity. The Labet whole-bunch treatment adds a lovely upbeat approachability. 10% new oak, gives a roundness of texture - tremendous value.

As the name "dessus" suggests, this lies above Les Marconnets, on the border with Savigny and at the beginning of the wooded Montagne de Beaune. Green-gold in colour, this hints at lemon puff biscuits, citrus drizzle cake and tarte tatin. The palate follows with green apples, stony minerals and buttered shortcake – lovely balance. The finish is lively, upbeat and focused with terrific energy – a fine flag-bearer.

François Labet and his team have produced a characterful 2014 Coucherias - a fine standard bearer for the vineyards around Beaune. This offers a lifted, bitter cherry nose, creaminess and slightly raisined richness. It presents rather juicy, deep fruit, with saline hints on the palate, a touch of coffee and some smoky, savoury layers on the finish.

Beaune Blanc Clos du Dessus des Marconnets Domaine Pierre Labet 2015

2017, first and foremost, presents us with a delicious expression of Pinot Noir. Marconnets is located in the northern part of Beaune, on the boundary with Savigny. A bright nose of raspberry and red cherry, really vibrant, with a lot of exotic spice and a little lactic volume. The palate is actually more precise and mineral-driven than the nose suggests; François pointed out that his trademark 100% whole bunch vinification gives a saltiness to the wines also, making you salivate. Fabulous energy. 20% new oak adds texture