Georges Noellat Beaune Les Tuvilains 1er Cru 2016

100% Pinot Noir. Georges Noëllat was the nephew of Charles Noëllat, who was once the proprietor of one of Vosne’s greatest domaines—a domaine who made important contributions to Domaines Jean-Jacques Confuron and Hudelot Noëllat, and even formed the vast majority of Domaine Leroy. As of 1990, Domaine Georges Noëllat sold its production to Jadot and Drouhin for 20 years. Enter 20-year-old Maxime Cheurlin in 2010, who consequently took over the management of the estate from his grandmother. Cheurlin grew up in Champagne, but it seems Burgundy wine is truly in his blood as he is a nephew of the Jayer family and a cousin of Emmanuel Rouget’s sons. Thus, he complemented his winemaking studies at the Lycée du Viticole in Beaune with stages at Domaine Emmanuel Rouget and Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur in 2009. Even so early into his winemaking career, Maxime has already earned a reputation for his elegant style. Grapes are hand-harvested, 100% de-stemmed (except in a few rare cases where up to 30% of stems may be included), and cool macerated for a few days before fermentation begins (native yeasts only). Maxime prefers the term “infusion” to extraction, so punch downs are rare and gentle. The Beaune Les Tuvilains 1er Cru is a sleeping giant of a vineyard. Located in southern Beaune on brown clay soil on marl the vines are over 35 years old and give fantastic fruit. After fermentation with native yeasts, the wine is aged in French barriques (about 30% new) for 18-20 months. A superb wine it is no wonder notable wine critic, Neal Martin, wrote, "Maxime seems to be a driven young vigneron whose tenets have been instilled from an early age, but wow – what potential!”