DOMAINE MICHELE & PATRICE RION Vielles Vignes, Chambolle-Musigny

Our old vines are over 35 years old and produce an exceptionally intense and aromatic wine that reflects the unique character of its terroir. With its deep, clear ruby red hue, it reveals notes of black fruits and excellent strength and concentration. As with all Gevrey-Chambertin, it requires a few years of patience before reaching its full potential. Based in Nuits-St-Georges, the famous Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825 and in more recent times, the domaine has greatly expanded its vineyards across the entire Côte d'Or. The grapes are entirely destemmed and fermented in a mix of new wooden vats for the top end wines and stainless steel for the lesser cuvees. Once notorious for being fairly austere, there has been less emphasis on extraction over the last ten years and the wines show increased freshness, purity of fruit and more judicious use of oak. A contender for one of the most improved domaines in Burgundy over the last decade.

JEAN-NOEL GAGNARD Cuvee L'Estimee , Chassagne-Montrachet

This 20ha vineyard was planted on red clay loam soil at Woori Yallock in 2001 by Lou Primavera, with whom Giant Steps has a long-standing grape-supply relationship. Pinot Noir (114, MV6 and G8V3 clones) grown here on the north and north east facing slopes at 230m is noted for its complex structure and pronounced perfume. The 114 and MV6 are fermented as whole bunches in open vats, while the G8V3 is destemmed, given a long cold-soak and fermented separately to enhance its aromatic contribution. All ferments use indigenous yeasts and the whole-bunch components are periodically foot-stomped to release additional juice. The wines are pressed to 228 litre, French barriques (about 8% new) for 11 months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

Domaine Lamy-Pillot 1er Cru Boudriotte, Chassagne-Montrachet Domaine Lamy-Pillot is a small family-run winery, established in 1973, which counts as relatively youthful for the region. The wines of Lamy-Pillot are consistent and drinkable in the very best sense. The 1er Cru Boudriotte is a Pinot Noir with cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant on its nose. On the palate, there is more of that berry explosion, with strawberries and dark cherries grounded by earthy aniseed and light spice. A hint of oak and fine tannins.

2014 is the inaugural release of Colleens Paddock Pinot Noir. It features a restrained, brooding and beguiling nose with hints of cranberry, sour cherry, wild raspberry, earth, stalks and charry oak. The aristocratic palate weaves an uncommon melange of toffee fruits, herbal flavours and savoury elements through fine, integrated tannins and delivers an elegant, luscious, velvety mouth feel. It combines lightness with richness and density with great length and persistence of flavour.

JEAN-NOEL GAGNARD Santenay 1er Cru Clos de Tavennes , Santenay

Made with fruit grown on 60+ year old vines, the Côte de Nuits Villages Vieilles Vignes is a light, bright Pinot with aromas of light spice, pot pourri and red berries. Grapes are grown in limestone soil using biodynamic viticulture. The wine is 25-30% whole bunch, fermented with indigenous yeast with minimal added sulphur. As with all Galeyrand wines, this example is certified organic. It is aged in oak barrels, a maximum of 20% new.