Fixin “Champs de Vosger” AOP 2023

Wine description for Fixin “Champs de Vosger” AOP 2023 by Jérôme Galeyrand

Anyone who believes Fixin is merely the rustic neighbour of Gevrey-Chambertin should take this Pinot Noir by Jérôme Galeyrand to heart. The former cheese seller from the Loire, who started out in 2002 with 0.05 hectares, proves here why he was awarded a star in the Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France in 2020.

Colour & appearance

Medium brick red, clear and lively in the glass – visually already an indication of the vintage’s ripeness.

Nose

Intensely spicy, distinctly earthier than the wines from the limestone-dominated soils nearby: tobacco, undergrowth and peat, beneath which lie ripe wild strawberries, some sloe, dark chocolate and the fine bitterness of orange zest. An aromatic profile reminiscent of a damp autumn forest – yet carried by fruit.

Palate

Juicy, approachable, inviting. The gentle sweetness of ripe berries and cherries meets liquorice and herbaceous-spicy notes that bring a good amaro to mind. Open and straightforwardly drawn, round and ripe, with silky tannins and finely integrated acidity – balanced in volume and length.

Finish

Long and calm, with lingering spice and dark berry fruit; the tannins remain fine right to the end.

Terroir & origin

The Les Champs de Vosger vineyard site lies below the village of Fixin at the northern end of the Côte de Nuits. Its light, sandy soils yield a different, more softly toned expression than the limestone-rich sites – which explains this wine’s spicy-earthy character. The vines were planted in the 1980s.

Grape variety & vinification

Pure Pinot Noir, 80 per cent destemmed and fermented in tanks – exclusively with indigenous yeasts. Ageing took place over twelve months in used 228-litre oak barrels with a low proportion of new wood. Without fining or enzymes, only lightly filtered (if necessary), with no to minimal sulphur addition – entirely in keeping with Galeyrand’s credo of vinifying fresh grape juice without technological intervention.

Food recommendations

The spicy depth calls for earthy cuisine: saddle of venison with juniper jus, duck breast, mushroom risotto or a ripe Époisses – a homage to Galeyrand’s past as a cheesemonger.

Special features

Certified organic, partly farmed biodynamically – a rare degree of consistency for this appellation. Add to that the remarkable ageing potential this Fixin has always shown: those who bring patience will be rewarded with even more undergrowth, truffle and silky depth. From a winemaker who began with one twentieth of a hectare – and today ranks among the most exciting on the Côte de Nuits.