Fixin “Champ-Perdrix” AOC 2023

Wine Description for Fixin “Champ-Perdrix” AOC 2023 by Bruno Clair

Character

Fixin is the northernmost village of the Côte de Nuits – and often the most underestimated. Whilst Gevrey-Chambertin next door draws the spotlight, Fixin maintains a peculiar, almost stoic dignity. Bruno Clair’s “Champ-Perdrix” – roughly “partridge field” in English – embodies precisely this attitude: a serious, structured Pinot Noir that prioritises depth over accessibility and rewards patience. With 14.0% alcohol, the 2023 vintage displays the warmth of an exceptional Burgundy year without robbing the wine of its provenance.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site “Champ-Perdrix” lies at the heart of the Fixin AOC appellation, on calcareous-clay soils that lend the wine grip and minerality. The village shares the geological DNA of the great Côte de Nuits, without its fame – which means the terroir here has remained relatively unspoilt and affordable. The 2023 vintage was characterised in Burgundy by warmth and early ripeness, yet where winemakers worked with consistency, it produced wines of considerable substance and ripe fruit whilst maintaining freshness.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Bruno Clair ranks among Burgundy’s quiet greats. His estate, based in Marsannay, cultivates a signature style built on precision and restraint – no over-extraction, no showiness. The Pinot Noir is vinified traditionally, with careful extraction and oak ageing that supports the fruit profile without dominating it. The result is a wine with clear structure, silky tannins and the characteristic earthiness that distinguishes Fixin from its more glamorous neighbours.

Food Pairing Suggestions

This wine demands the table and time. It harmonises beautifully with Coq au Vin, braised lamb shoulder or a classic Bœuf bourguignon. It also reveals its Burgundian soul alongside aged Comté or Époisses. Those drinking it young should decant it – those who wait will be rewarded.