2021 Domaine Goisot Bourgogne Côtes d'Auxerre Corps de Garde Rouge
WINEMAKER: Guilhem Goisot
REGION: Burgundy, FR
VARIETY: Pinot Noir
VITICULTURE: Certified Biodynamic
Goisot’s Corps de Garde Pinot is drawn from three mature plots (40 to 70 years old) in Côte de la Ronce/Haut de la Ronce, Côte de Tue Chien and Gueules de Loup. These vineyards are on Kimmeridgian limestone slopes mixed with red-brown and white clays. All the grapes were destemmed, and there was no pigeage as Goisot prefers to extract tannins gently and only from the grape’s skins rather than the pips. Macerated and vinified in open wood fermenters, this wine was transferred to 300-litre Burgundian barriques (20% new, with the remainder between one and five years old) for 12 months. Reflecting the cooler year, the new fabulously bright and crunchy with a swathe of red fruited elegance underlined by super, powdery tannins. tannins. Exceptional value.
Goisot’s vineyards are planted to 10,000 vines per acre as opposed to the regional average of roughly half this density. The viticulture is certified biodynamic, and yields are kept very low. They use only homeopathic, natural treatments in the vineyard and harvests are done exclusively by hand, with several passes through the vineyard. In the winery, the philosophy is classic ‘minimalist’ with natural yeasts, a long, slow élevage, minimal fining and/or filtration only if required. Very few, if any, Chablis producers can match these exacting viticulture standards.
The wines of Domaine Goisot are for those open-minded drinkers who don’t drink vineyard names but rather are more concerned with the quality and integrity they find in the glass – in this case, they will find a great deal of both. These are intense, textural yet racy, mineral wines with a rich, stony, earthy complexity that speaks loudly of the chalky soils that typify the greater Chablis area. Think of everything you would want from a great Chablis producer (i.e, more richness, complexity and breed than you typically find) and you will be on the right track.