Domaine Chanson Beaune Premier Cru Bastion Rouge 2018

Winery Background and History

Maison Chanson, founded in 1750, has long combined négociant operations with estate holdings across Burgundy. Over centuries, it built reputation for sourcing prime vineyards as well as owning premier plots itself. As Chanson expanded its domaine arm (Chanson Père & Fils), it committed to renewing vine stocks, improving viticulture, and modernizing its cellars—seeking wines that marry tradition with expressive terroir. Bastion is one of Chanson’s top Beaune premier cru reds, reflecting its confidence in Côte de Beaune terroirs.

Producer and Wine Maker

The wine is produced by Chanson Père & Fils, Chanson’s Burgundy division. The winemaking team directs vineyard decisions (pruning, thinning, harvest timing), sorting, fermentation, blending and barrel aging. Their philosophy is restraint: minimal intervention to allow purity of fruit and soil, with extraction calibrated to avoid harshness. The cellar attention includes gentle cap management, precise temperature control, and maturation planning to reveal complexity without over-oaking.

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The Bastion plot is a premier cru climat in Beaune, planted to Pinot Noir. Its soils are a mix of clay and limestone, with good drainage and mid-slope exposure—ideal for Burgundian reds. The microclimate benefits from Burgundy’s continental influence: warm days encourage ripening; cooler nights preserve acidity and freshness. The location benefits from air circulation off surrounding slopes, reducing disease pressure and aiding balanced ripening.

Vinification & Aging Methods

After hand harvest and sorting, grapes undergo destemming (or partial whole cluster) and fermentation in small vats with moderate cap work. Temperature is controlled to preserve aromatics while allowing phenolic extraction. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel or tank. The wine is matured 14–18 months in French oak barrels, with a portion (roughly 25-35 %) new oak, the rest used barrels, to integrate structure without dominating the fruit.

Tasting notes

Bright ruby red. On the nose: aromas of black cherry, raspberry, red plum, violet, soft spice and subtle forest floor. On the palate: silky texture, red and black fruit flavors, fine-grained tannins, refreshing acidity, some underlying minerality and touch of oak spice. The finish lingers with red fruit echoes and gentle spice notes.

Food & Wine Pairing

Excellent with roast duck, game birds, lamb, pork loin with herbs, mushroom dishes, herbaceous sauces, and aged cheeses. Also goes well with dishes combining mushrooms or truffles, or rich poultry in reduction sauces.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve at 15–17 °C. Use a large Burgundy Pinot Noir glass. Decant 20–30 minutes (or more if the wine was recently stored) to allow aromas to open and tannins to soften. Pour gently to avoid disturbing sediment after aging.

Storage and Aging Potential

With proper cellaring (12–14 °C, stable humidity and darkness), this wine should develop gracefully over 8 to 12 years, gaining tertiary notes of earth, leather, dried berries, and forest floor, while maintaining balance and freshness.

Grape Varietals & percentage used

100 % Pinot Noir

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

~ 13.5 %