2022 Bourgogne Rouge, Camille Giroud

The Bourgogne Rouge is completely de-stemmed with no new oak. It has a pastille-like purity on the nose: blackcurrant and raspberry. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent dark cherries and a simple but refreshing finish. Fine.

It is always a pleasure to chat with Carel Voorhuis, one of the most candid winemakers in the Côte d’Or. “It was easy,” he tells me in his relaxed manner as I roll up my sleeves to tackle 40-odd cuvées, almost entirely from purchased fruit. “There were fewer issues than in other years, and we had rain at key moments. It appears drier than 2018 and 2020, yet the vines did not suffer as much. Maybe the root system is deeper, plus there is less leaf cover? Maybe the stomata are closing faster? 

We picked from August 31 in Puligny and finished September 9 with Chambertin, Hautes-Côtes and the Mercurey Blanc. There was hardly any sorting, just a few leaves to take out, and the vinification was straightforward. I used around 20% more whole bunch in 2022 because, at the beginning of maceration, I really liked the aromas the stems were imparting, so I decided to increase the percentage. We are trialling different levels of whole cluster in our Savigny vineyards.”

Drink 2024 - 2027

Bright crimson ruby colour. Excellent energy to the nose in a vivid fresh red fruit style. Not quite so concentrated on the palate but with an agreeable red fruit, minor tannins and fair length.

Drink 2025 - 2028