Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge 2023 Domaine Rollin

The Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge 2023 from Domaine Rollin is the ideal entry point into the world of Rémi and Simon Rollin, and a door that already speaks volumes about the ambition and talent of this family domaine in Pernand-Vergelesses. A crisp, suave and fleshy Pinot Noir, unanimously recognised as one of the finest quality-to-pleasure ratios on the Côte de Beaune, which far surpasses its appellation through its elegance, freshness and the precision of its fruit.

Terroir and vineyard

This Hautes Côtes de Beaune comes from parcels planted exclusively on the commune of Pernand-Vergelesses, mid-slope, on poor, well-draining clay-limestone soils. That poverty is richness here: it naturally disciplines the vines, concentrates the aromatic expression of Pinot Noir and gives the wine a minerality and tension that far exceed what one might expect from a regional appellation. All parcels face east and occupy a well-ventilated combe, a natural configuration that ensures permanent freshness, precisely at the origin of the vivacity and energy characteristic of this cuvée. The vines, around twenty years old, sit alongside parcels of village Pernand-Vergelesses, on terrain of fine geological coherence. Vinification is precise and minimalist: manual harvest in small crates, careful sorting on arrival, complete destemming, gravity transfer to preserve grape integrity. A five to six day cold maceration at 10°C precedes natural alcohol fermentation at controlled temperature, with pumpovers and délestages adjusted daily by tasting, a sensory approach that is the domaine's hallmark. After two weeks in vat, ageing runs for eight to ten months in oak without new wood, followed by assembly in vat, light filtration and bottling the following summer.

Tasting profile

The colour is a brilliant, luminous ruby with violet reflections, lively and appetising. The nose is fine, open and shows immediate fruity concentration: aromas of fresh raspberry, cherry and crisp red fruits assert themselves with natural precision, accompanied by notes of peony, discreet fine herbs and a light peppery touch that marks the clay-limestone imprint of the terroir. On the palate, crispness is the first sensation: a fresh, fruity attack, fine silky tannins of delicate beauty, and a lively acidity well integrated that brings drive and drinkability to a suave, fleshy substance. The palate is sappy, concentrated and impeccably balanced between fruit, minerality and freshness. The finish is clean, persistent and lightly spiced, with that return of juicy red fruits that immediately invites the next glass. Pure pleasure wine, accessible now and capable of fine evolution over three to five years.

The domaine

Domaine Rollin is a family address established in Pernand-Vergelesses since 1932, today run by Rémi and Simon Rollin, the fourth generation, who have raised the 14-hectare domaine among the most reliable and precise references on the Côte de Beaune. Their range, which extends from this Hautes Côtes de Beaune to Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, passing through Pernand-Vergelesses, Aloxe-Corton and their Premiers Crus, is unanimously praised for its consistency, precision and excellent quality-to-price ratio at every level. The philosophy is constant: let the terroir express itself without artifice, vinify with precision and minimal intervention, and leave time to reveal the complexity of each cuvée.

Food pairings

This Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge will pair beautifully with white or red meat simply grilled, herb-roasted chicken, rabbit with mustard, fresh pasta with wild mushrooms or fine pâté de campagne. It will also be delicious lightly chilled as an aperitif, served alongside Burgundian charcuterie. Served between 14 and 16°C, it will reveal all the fruity freshness and natural elegance of a Côte de Beaune Pinot Noir signed by one of the appellation's most serious and consistent families.