Chavy Chouet Bourgogne La Taupe Rouge 2020

Winery Background and History: Domaine Chavy‑Chouet was founded in 1982 and is now led by Romaric Chavy, the eighth generation from a historic Puligny‑Meursault family. The estate covers approximately 15 ha across Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits, with both reds and whites gaining praise for clarity, finesse, and value. Though best known for its whites, its modestly‑labelled reds like La Taupe consistently deliver exceptional quality given their origins near Pommard  .

Producer and Wine Maker: Romaric Chavy oversees viticulture and vinification. Fruit for La Taupe comes from old‑vine plots (approx. 70 years old) adjacent to Pommard. Vinification employs natural yeast fermentation, low intervention, and aging for 10 months in oak (about 10 % new barrels, 90 % used)  .

Vineyards and Micro Climate: The vineyard La Taupe was once part of the Pommard AOC. The 70‑year‑old Pinot Noir vines are planted at high density on clay‑rich soils near Pommard, benefitting from a cool, balanced Côte de Beaune climate which imparts structure and aromatics  .

Vinification & Aging Methods: Harvested by hand, grapes undergo natural yeast fermentation with gentle extraction (light pigeage, some remontage), destemmed, and aged ~10 months in barrels (≈10 % new oak). Bottled unfined, lightly filtered for texture preservation  .

Tasting Notes: Aromas of red cherry, raspberry, strawberry, with subtle spice, tobacco and earth undertones. On the palate it is medium‑bodied, juicy and perfumed, with fine, rounded tannins and a structure reminiscent of Pommard’s depth and balance. Elegant, approachable, yet with real presence  .

Food & Wine Pairing: Enjoy with roast duck, chicken or turkey, pork, mushroom risotto, venison stew, mixed charcuterie, or lamb. Its fruit‑driven style and gentle structure match well with richer poultry and earthy dishes  .

Service Methods and Temperatures: Serve chilled to 15–17 °C in a medium‑large Burgundy glass. A short decant (20–30 minutes) helps open aromatics and soften tannins.

Storage and Aging Potential: Drinkable immediately, yet capable of evolving over time. Best consumed from 2023 up to around 2028–2030, depending on cellar conditions (~12–14 °C, 70 % humidity). It will gradually develop secondary earth and leather notes while retaining fresh fruit vibrancy  .

Grape Varietals & Percentage Used: 100 ％ Pinot Noir, in line with Bourgogne Rouge AOC regulations  .

ABV (Alcohol by Volume): Approximately 13%