Santenay Blanc 'Vieilles Vignes' 2023, Vincent Girardin

At the southern tip of the Côte de Beaune, Vincent Girardin proves with this Santenay Blanc 'Vieilles Vignes' that Santenay produces exceptional white Burgundies boasting elegance, freshness, and minerality. The wine is sourced from old Chardonnay vines aged 40 to 50 years, planted on limestone-rich slopes.

The result is a vibrant, precise wine where crisp mineral acidity and a refined oak framework harmonize effortlessly. In the glass, it shows a bright pale-yellow color with green highlights. The nose is pure and subtle, offering aromas of lime, white flowers, ripe pear, and a distinct chalky salinity. On the palate, it opens fresh and crisp before revealing layers of citrus, Granny Smith apple, a touch of anise, and a subtle hint of toasted oak, leading into an energetic, dry finish.

Key Highlights

• Terroir: 100% Chardonnay from 40 to 50-year-old vines planted on clay and limestone slopes in Santenay (Côte de Beaune).
• Winemaking & Ageing: Hand-harvested with gentle pneumatic pressing. Barrel fermented in oak, followed by 10 to 12 months of ageing sur lie in French oak (approx. 15% new oak). Lightly filtered before bottling.
• Sustainability: Crafted using sustainable viticulture practices with minimal cellar intervention.
• Tasting Profile: Elegant, pure, and mineral-driven. Notes of citrus, lime, ripe pear, anise, subtle toast, and chalky salinity.
• Ageing Potential: Highly accessible and vibrant now, with the structure to develop over 3 to 5 years.

Food Pairing

• Fish & Seafood: Excellent alongside pan-seared sea bass with lemon butter or grilled turbot.
• Meat: A wonderful match for veal escalope with sage and a light cream sauce.
• Vegetarian: Pairs beautifully with fennel risotto topped with Parmesan.
• Cheese: Ideal with fresh goat cheese such as Crottin de Chavignol or Chaource.
• Serving Suggestion: Best served chilled between 11°C and 13°C to showcase its freshness and minerality.

The Terroir of Santenay Blanc

Santenay marks the southern boundary of the renowned Côte de Beaune. Its steep slopes of clay and limestone provide an ideal environment for Chardonnay. The old vines root deeply into the limestone subsoil, granting the wine natural mineral tension, crisp acidity, and a distinctive saline finish.

About Domaine Vincent Girardin

A native of Santenay, Vincent Girardin established an international reputation for producing pristine white and red Burgundies. The estate prioritizes sustainable farming, manual harvesting, and judicious oak integration. The core objective remains unchanged: allowing the authentic identity of each Burgundian terroir to shine clearly in every bottle.