Chorey Les Beaune 2023 Domaine Rapet

The Chorey-lès-Beaune 2023 from Domaine Rapet Père et Fils is the entry point into the domaine's red range, and one of the finest demonstrations that a Chorey-lès-Beaune, in the hands of a serious grower, can achieve a precision, naturalism and expressivity that far exceed the appellation's expectations. Of striking naturalness, with flavours of graphite, ink and pepper, the palate is firm and fleshy in equal measure, with a stunning finish. A delight to drink on its youthful fruit, confirming that since 2015, the red wines of Domaine Rapet have impressed as much as its whites of long-standing reputation.

The terroir and vineyards

The name Chorey-lès-Beaune itself is a lesson in history: it derives from the Latin Canus, meaning "cart, chariot", recalling that this village sat on the great Roman road from Autun to Besançon, which countless horses and two and four-wheeled carts traversed from around 20 BC. Domaine Rapet works 2 hectares of old Pinot Noir vines on a soil of marly-calcareous alluviums with a stony base and rusty tones, alluviums that descended from the slopes of Savigny and Aloxe-Corton over millennia, bringing with them iron oxides and limestone that give the wines their structure, mineral depth and characteristic notes of graphite and ink. This plain terroir, sandier and stonier than the neighbouring hillsides, ensures remarkable drainage that naturally limits vine vigour and concentrates the aromatic expression of Pinot Noir. The winemaking reflects the domaine's constant philosophy: grapes are brought in small crates for meticulous sorting at the cellar, fermentation lasts fifteen days with regular punchdowns to extract richness and colour from the grape skins, and ageing of twelve to fifteen months in oak barrels with 20 to 30% new wood brings structure and complexity without ever masking the fruit.

Tasting profile

The colour is a brilliant ruby with violet reflections, vivid and luminous. The nose displays disarming naturalness and directness: aromas of small red fruits, raspberry, cherry, redcurrant dominate with crisp spontaneity, adorned with subtle floral touches of violet, a light note of graphite and a peppery hint that bears the signature of the terroir's iron-rich character. On the palate, Pinot Noir expresses itself with roundness, finesse and character: the attack is fruity and generous, the tannins are silky and of fine delicacy (a mark of optimal grape ripeness and careful extraction), and the texture is both firm and fleshy, of remarkable balance. The finish is stunning in length for the appellation, fruity and lightly spiced, with that return of graphite and pepper inviting another glass. A versatile and generous Burgundy, immediately approachable yet capable of lovely evolution over three to five years.

The domaine

Domaine Rapet Père et Fils is one of Burgundy's oldest winemaking families, a silver tastevin engraved with "Rapet" dating from 1765 and passed down through generations bears witness. Today run by Vincent Rapet and his son Robin, the domaine spans 20 hectares across the prestigious appellations of the northern Côte de Beaune: Pernand-Vergelesses, Aloxe-Corton, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Beaune and Chorey-lès-Beaune, plus remarkable parcels of Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru and Corton Grand Cru. Certified at level 3 Haute Valeur Environnementale by the French Ministry of Agriculture, the domaine practises rigorous reasoned viticulture with careful shoot thinning, green harvest and minimal treatments, and has invested in modern facilities that allow precision winemaking. Since 2015, the domaine's red wines have impressed critics and collectors alike, joining in quality its whites of long-established reputation.

Food pairings

This Chorey-lès-Beaune will pair beautifully with farm-raised roasted poultry with herbs, duck à l'orange, fillet mignon with wild mushrooms, beef bourguignon or fine country terrine. It will also find harmony with soft cheeses such as young Époisses, Reblochon or Brillat-Savarin. Served lightly chilled at around 14–15 °C, it will reveal all the gourmandise and directness of a Pinot Noir from the Côte de Beaune, signed by one of Burgundy's most reliable houses.