“Jean-Marc Vincent is an inventive and dedicated, almost obsessional, grower.” - Curtis Charles, Master of Wine
Wine Snapshot: Jean-Marc Vincent - Santenay 1er Les Graviers 2013
Winemaker: Jean-Marc and his wife, Anne-Marie, Vincent - inherited vineyard sites from his grandfather
Region: Burgundy - Côte de Beaune - Santenay Premier Cru - Les Gravieres
Grape Varietal(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Viticulture: organic (practicing, not certified)
Method: partial whole-cluster fermentation for 20 days at cool temperatures, aged for 15 months in 25% new French Oak barrels, sulfur only added at bottling
Serving Suggestions: 60–65° F decanted with roasted lamb or pork with cherry sauce
Age: Drink now (decanting recommended) through 2028
About the Santenay Winegrowing Region
Santenay is a small village at the southernmost edge of Côte de Beaune, the lower half of the “golden slopes” of the Côte d’Or. The Côte d’Or is the home of the world’s most prominent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards and villages; and while the Côte de Beaune is primarily known for its Chardonnay, there are several villages that specialize in Pinot Noir production, including Santenay.
Map of Santenay Crus - check out a video of the vineyards of the Cote de Beaune here.
At the northeastern edge of Santenay lies the Premier Cru Les Gravieres. Les Gravieres is a 29 hectare (app. 70 acre) vineyard known for its sandy soils and gravelly composition. The name is derived from the Latin word for gravel and refers to its favorable terroir for grapegrowing. Small parcels of this vineyard were originally listed by Dr. Jules Lavall in his 1855 classification of Burgundy as expressing wines of the highest quality; however, in the 1861 official classification, Santenay only achieved Premier Crus statuses and no Grand Crus. (For a refresher on Burgundy classifications, check out the amazing graphic from WineFolly below.)
Learn more about Burgundy at WineFolly.com.
Courtesy of Bourgogne-Wines.com.
About Domaine Jean-Marc Vincent Santeney 1er Les Gravieres 2013
Label Shot courtesy of Curtis Charles, Master of Wine.
Jean-Marc works the vineyards inherited from his grandfather with help from his wife, Anne-Marie. From taking care of their organic-practicing vineyards, to operating their minimalistic cellar, to managing the tasting room, the two work in tandem, all the while raising their children! The total estate includes 6.51 hectares (app. 16 acres) is produces a maximum of 2,100 cases per year. They have created a very loyal clientele who eagerly snatches up their miniscule production each year.
Les Gravieres 2013 comes from a vineyard site known for its sandy/gravelly soil, and it shows immediately on the nose. Fresh strawberries, red cherries, and crushed rock pours out of the glass eagerly upon open. The texture of the wine has a noticeable energy with freshness on the tongue and length in the finish.
Jean-Marc and his wife, Anne-Marie, Vincent
From the Importer:
“The Vincent wines are characterized by rich, layered fruit, intense expression of individual terroir, and solid structure. All of their wines are a testament to the importance of vigneron talent in a given appellation. While a great vigneron can make over-achievers from any appellation, a great appellation will never be great in the hands of mediocrity.”