2021 Nathalie Richez Auxey-Duresses

Aromas of bright cherry, plum, and wild strawberry integrate with hints of iron and damp earth. The palate is medium-bodied and strikingly transparent, featuring a firm but gentle tannic structure and a savory, mineral-driven finish that reflects the cooler microclimate of the valley.

Nathalie Richez, who built her estate from the ground up starting in 2011, utilizes sustainable farming and manual harvesting for her Pinot Noir. In the cellar, she employs a traditional vinification with 100% destemmed fruit and spontaneous fermentation using native yeasts. The wine matures for 18 months in French oak barrels, with 25% new oak used to add a subtle suaveness without overwhelming the pure fruit character.

The fruit is sourced from a tiny 0.15-hectare parcel in the commune of Auxey-Duresses, located in a side valley of the Côte de Beaune near Meursault and Volnay. This site is defined by its south-facing exposure and soils of iron-tinged marl and limestone. The high-altitude location and unique geology provide the wine with its characteristic structural power and persistent mineral core.