2020 Paul Pillot Santenay Vieilles Vignes Rouge

Paul Pillot is a a third generation winemaker in Chassagne-Montrachet, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. The 30-acre domaine has Premier Cru vineyards primarily in Chassagne-Montrachet, Saint-Aubin and Santenay. Of special note are the Premier Cru Chassagne-Montrachets La Romanee, Grandes Ruchottes, Les Caillerets, La Grande Montagne, Les Champs Gains and Clos Saint-Jean. Decanter has complimented many of the domaine’s wines, calling them “mouthwatering (with) impeccable balance.”

Santenay is the southernmost appellation in the Côte d’Or. The appellation includes the communes of Santenay and Remigny and it has 813 vineyard acres. Both red and white wines can be made within the Santenay appellation, though in practice about 85% of the wine produced here is red. Pinot Blanc may be used in white wines, though most white Santenays are 100% Chardonnay. Though there are no Grands Crus, Santenay boasts 12 Premiers Crus. Among the best Premiers Crus vineyards are Clos de Tavannes, La Comme, Les Gravières and Le Passe Temps. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that “good Santenays share a robust, tannic, earthy character with a bouquet that suggests cherry and strawberry fruit intertwined with the smell of sautéed almonds.” Clive Coates has noted that the white wines of Santenay “should be crisp, medium-bodied and fruity, less racy but fuller than Saint-Aubins, perhaps with a touch of spice…”

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.