Fixin Le Rozier 2023 Domaine Charles Audoin

Fixin Le Rozier 2023, Domaine Charles Audoin is a Pinot Noir of remarkable elegance and precision, sourced from a quiet lieu-dit in one of the most authentic and undervalued appellations of the Côte de Nuits. Praised by James Suckling as "lithe and racy, with wonderful freshness, radical stony and graphitic minerality and a long, straight finish," this wine from 70-year-old certified organic vines embodies the essence of Domaine Charles Audoin: elegance, refinement, and absolute fidelity to terroir.

The Rozier terroir

Le Rozier lies south of Fixin, bordering the hamlet of Couchey, on the argilo-calcareous and marly soils typical of the Côte de Nuits piedmont. The vines, planted in the 1960s and now over 60 years old, benefit from the appellation's characteristic exposure and from this chalky, marly soil that gives wines density, character, and an immediately recognizable stony minerality. Fixin, pronounced "Fissin," is one of the northernmost appellations of the Côte de Nuits, wedged between Marsannay to the north and the prestigious Gevrey-Chambertin to the south. Long overshadowed by more famous neighbours, it produces what Burgundians call "winter wines," deeply coloured and structured, often tannic in youth but softening beautifully with age to reveal a complex aromatic palette of violet, peony, morello cherry, blackcurrant, spice, and animalistic notes. The village's Premier Cru vineyards, cultivated by the monks of Cîteaux since the Middle Ages, once rivalled Chambertin itself. Le Rozier, at village level, fully participates in this tradition of excellence.

Tasting profile

Deep ruby robe with violet glints, bright and clear. The nose is refined and expressive, with aromas of red and black fruit, cherry, ripe raspberry, blackcurrant, lifted by floral touches of violet and peony, a light spice note, and chalky, graphitic minerality that marks the limestone signature of the terroir. On the palate, freshness strikes immediately, carried by lively, well-integrated acidity that structures an elegant and supple body. Tannins are fine and silky, the texture precise and refined, and the finish long and straight, lingering on persistent mineral and fruity notes. Bottled without fining or filtration, to preserve the complete integrity of fruit and terroir.

The domaine

Domaine Charles Audoin is a cornerstone of the northern Côte de Nuits, widely recognised as the architect of Marsannay's reputation. Founded on carefully selected parcels in the 1970s by Charles Audoin, the domaine is now run by his son Cyril, fifth generation, who has continued and deepened his father's demands. Organic certification was obtained in 2018, crowning work begun long before. Winemaking is traditional and non-interventionist, with 25 per cent whole-bunch fruit, maceration of 14 to 18 days, ageing of 12 months in oak casks of which 20 per cent is new wood, followed by six months in vat before bottling without fining or filtration. Finesse and elegance are the watchwords of this domaine, which has made rigour and patience its signature.

Food pairing

This Fixin Le Rozier pairs beautifully with beef fillet with wild mushrooms, roasted lamb leg with herbs, traditional coq au vin, rabbit in cocotte with black olives, or veal chop with truffle jus. It also harmonises well with soft-ripened cheeses such as Époisses, Soumaintrain, or Brillat-Savarin. Served between 15 and 17 °C, with light decanting recommended in its first years, it will reveal the full precision and minerality of its Côte de Nuits terroir.