Bourgogne Rouge, Cuvée Esus 2020, Domaine Normand

2020 Rich, silky simplicity, polished, fruit driven, noticable oak but not the bity kind, giving a nice roundness. 14,5% abv alcohol but well integrated, nothing sharp or unripe. Summer ripe cherries, raspberry and jammy strawberries and chocolate/roasted coffee. Smooth vanilla and warm spice. Mild earthy notes, not the common green earthiness from down south, but really subtle. Great acidity, clean finish. Friendly flavour profile and really nice at this price point. A really really really nice wine on it's own. Recent change of Tonnelier, oak levels are more subtle then previous vintages. Hard to keep but very suitable for aging I reckon. Harvested by hand – long vatting period. Barrel ageing.

Vines are over 40 years of age from a hilltop on the border of La Roche Vineuse (Googlemaps). Cordon de Royat Pruning. Managed natural grass cover in the vineyard. Goes well with charcuterie, boeuf bourguignon, burgers, bbq, chicken, turkey or stew. Serve between 12°C – 16°C. Bio conversion.

The Celtic God Esus Explained. Modern scholars believe Esus may have been the god of vegetation. To honor him, human sacrifices were made by lashing people to trees and flogging them to death. (Celtic: “Lord,” or “Master”).