Tasting

Rich purple colour. Floral bouquet on the nose, then a generous finely tuned fruit right across the palate, balanced by subte tannins, almost etheral.

Food matching

Sophisticated aperitif, good meal with friends and home-made cooking (duck parmentier, beef stew)

History

Traditionally, this fine Cuvée of Beaune Premier Cru opens the sale. It is named for the lady nurses who have tended the sick of the Hospices since its foundation in 1443. Furthermore, several nurses left important legacies. These sisters originated from Saint-Omer, in northern France, and did their training at the Hospice of Valenciennes, which lies just within France’s border today with Belgium. The wine is made entirely from Premiers Crus vineyards, mainly Les Bressandes (no vines being younger than 1985), La Mignotte and Les Teurons.

Terroirs

Tasting

Nice bright red hue. Nose both powerful and subtle, with a mix of red fruits followed by toasty aromas. Good length and density, with racy tannins

Food matching

Enjoy with open-fire grilled red meats (T-bone) or strong cheese.

History

Guigone de Salins was the wife of Nicolas Rolin, founder of the Hospices de Beaune. After his death in 1461, she moved from Autun to Beaune to take over the direction of the Hôtel-Dieu. She devoted much of her fortune to this cause, while helping to care for the sick and enfeebled, until her death aged 67. The steep slopes of Les Bressandes – planted in 1980, 1977 or the 1960s – constitute virtually half this famous Cuvée, which is one of the longest living Beaunes.

Terroirs

Tasting

Clear bright red colour. Elegant bouquet followed by ripe fruits in (raspberry) infusing the whole mouth.

Food matching

Mixed salads, sausages, duck breast filets.

History

This historic charity sale commemorates five centuries of generous benefaction, and many members of the Brunet family, dating back to the 1600s (5 of whom were Mayors of Beaune), are in the roll of honour. These vineyards are all Premiers Crus and superbly placed – in Bressandes, Bas des Teurons and Cent-Vignes. 15% of the Cuvée was planted in 1999, all the rest from 1976 back to 1954.

Terroirs

Tasting

Intense colour for a generous wine coming from famous Clos des Avaux. Vibrant dark fruit on the nose. Balanced acidity make for an impressive cuvée with firm structure at the finish.

Food matching

Caraway risotto or lightly spiced risotto. Lamb skewers or Brie de Meaux creamy cheese.

History

The name Les Avaux derives from the place names Vaux or Val, designating a depression in the hillside at this spot. Before the French Revolution, these vines belonged to the Hospice de la Charité. Vineyards planted in the 1980’s or older, make up 42% of the Cuvée.

Terroirs

Tasting

The wine is well structured, with a granular, tannic undertow and a nice structure with good cellaring potential.

Food matching

Winter soup with wild mushrooms. Butcher’s special (steak, porterhouse) grilled.

History

The Cyrot-Chaudron married couple gave this vineyard in 1979. It is entirely situated in a little-known, well-situated Premier Cru called Les Montrevenots, which lies high on a hillside near the Pommard boundary, close to Beaune Clos des Mouches.

Terroirs