2017 Albert Bichot Santenay Les Charmes Rouge

Maison Albert Bichot is one of Burgundy’s largest and most important negociants. It was founded by Bernard Bichot in 1831 as a wine brokerage and by the early 20th century the maison was exporting throughout Europe and to the U.S. In 1912 it moved its headquarters to Beaune. Today the estate is run by Alberic Bichot, the sixth generation of the founding family. In 2004 Albert Bichot was named “Red Winemaker of the Year” by the International Wine Challenge and in 2011 the maison won the “White Winemaker of the Year” honor from the same organization. Albert Bichot owns four estates, one each in Chablis, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pommard and Mercurey. It is also produces wine from Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnnaise, Beaujolais, Maconnais and regional appellations. Altogether the maison owns a total of more than 250 acres of vineyards.

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.