Benoit Cantin Irancy La Grande Cote 2018

 Irancy is one of the more difficult to find red Burgundy appellations on shelves here in the US - not surprising as the entire AOC is just about 200 hectares or 4x the size of Clos Vougeot - and that's primarily because most of it stays in France, particularly in Parisian restaurants where it's always been popular as a "local" wine, much like neighboring Chablis. There are just two great producers here (my opinion of course) and Benoit Cantin is one of them. It's also just about the best value in red Burgundy. 

Benoit Cantin is the fifth generation of Cantins to grow wine in Irancy and the family farm goes back several centuries, I'm not sure even the family knows how many. The terroir here is based on the same Kimmerdigian limestone as Chablis but only red grapes allowed with Pinot Noir virtually all of it. Benoit farms 16 hectares spread across 10 different lieux-dits, his top wine being this one, La Grande Côte, from what's considered the best hillside in Irancy.


Farming is essentially organic here, no chemicals or fertilizers, and all work done by hand. Wines are fermented in concrete and aged in 15% new wood, oak from the family's own land in the Les Bertranges forest. 

The 2018 La Grande Côte is a fantastic example of classic, cool climate Pinot Noir with its delicate crimson color and fresh red cherry and crushed strawberry nose. Medium bodied with good tension and fine tannins and a vibrant, complex finish. A good wine for the cellar but drinking beautifully right now. Very limited, just 24 bottles available.
 

 



Type: France

Vendor: Eno Fine Wine


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