Francois Gaunoux Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches

Decanted for one hour. Nose of red cherry, red currant, damp earth and spice. Ripe red fruit, earth, spice and chamomile on the palate. Long, pure finish. Medium bodied. This really opened up after the decant. Will improve with age. Excellent purity and true to its terroir. Served with apple wood smoked chicken halves.

2019 François Gaunoux Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches ($54 in 2023). Light ruby, rim variation, amber edges; red fruit, gamey, tea leaves, cherry nose; low-mid acids; mid tannins; semi-long, balanced, red fruit, cherry, and wood finish. 16.5/91.

Opened and drank over two nights. Red fruit on the nose. The palate was plum and cherry with a touch of spice. The finish was moderately long and smooth.

Corked

Rich and on the darker end of the spectrum for a Pinot. All fruit; neither oak nor tannins. Buried beneath the fragrances there’s something subtle on the nose that is not quite for me, like grassy mud. Drinks beautifully after that though.

The best part is the nose. I could smell it as I was pouring it into the glass. Lovely mineral and truffled earth on the nose, even now at this young age. Light to medium bodied and the midpalate is a bit hollow. The finish is grippy with a slight peppery finish. I hope this puts on more weight with time in the bottle as it is a bit thin now.

Pale Ruby in glass. Medium intensity on nose with cherry, red currant and trace of sweet spice. Medium- body, medium+ tannin and medium+ acidity on palate. Cherry and sweet spice are the dominant factors in mouth. The wine offers medium finish with slight bitterness. This is what you expect from a Beaune Pinot Noir. Rated 15/20

More round, more malolactic tones than the Pommards and Volnay. The most accessible, ripe fruit, great length, great energy. Medium intense aromas of strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, red cherry, milk chocolate, green pepper, liquorice wood, bay leaf, gunpowder, salinity. Dry wine, high acidity, low and elegant tannins, medium body, pronounced flavour intensity, long finish. 13,5% - €53,95 @ Le Vineur