Domaine Roland Lavantureux - Bourgogne Epineuil - Les Fauconniers 2023
Domaine Roland Lavantureux is one of the most solid family signatures in the Chablis region, located in Lignorelles, north of Chablis. Long recognized for its precise, taut whites deeply marked by the region's limestone, the estate has expanded its horizon by taking over a maternal family heritage located in Épineuil and the Tonnerrois. Arnaud and David Lavantureux continue this adventure today with the same exacting standards as for their Chablis, applying specific attention to Pinot Noirs from the moment of grape reception. The first red bottles from these old vines appeared from the 2019 vintage, marking an important new stage in the estate's history. Les Fauconniers 2023 embodies this more confidential and still recent facet of Lavantureux, with an elegant, precise, and very expressive Burgundy red. The Bourgogne Épineuil appellation, located in the Yonne, shares with Chablis a strong limestone identity, which gives Pinot Noir remarkable freshness and tension. This is a cuvée with character, ideal for discovering the estate's talent in a red register.
The Bourgogne Épineuil Les Fauconniers 2023 cuvée is made exclusively from Pinot Noir, the emblematic grape variety of Burgundy's great reds. The grapes come from a vineyard of about 3.5 hectares, planted between 1969 and 1978 by Arnaud and David Lavantureux's grandfather. These old vines naturally bring depth, concentration, and beautiful aromatic complexity. The clay-limestone soils of Épineuil give the wine a fine structure, clear freshness, and a finish more mineral than sunny. In the winery, the grapes are carefully sorted then destemmed to preserve the purity of the fruit and the finesse of the tannic grain. The long maceration, conducted at controlled temperature, allows gentle extraction of the smooth texture and spicy relief typical of the terroir. The 15-month aging, mostly in barrels and complemented by some stainless steel vats, brings depth without masking the elegance of the Pinot Noir.
In the glass, Domaine Roland Lavantureux Bourgogne Épineuil Les Fauconniers 2023 reveals a bright ruby robe with young and luminous reflections. The nose opens on red cherry, raspberry, currant, and small wild berries, with a floral touch and a finely peppery nuance. The palate is supple, juicy, and delicate, supported by a smooth texture that recalls the care given to the estate's vinifications. The fruit remains pure, precise, and gourmand, while the limestone freshness lengthens the tasting with elegance. The finish reveals a spicy dimension, typical of Épineuil, accompanied by a discreet and persistent mineral sensation. This red can be enjoyed young after slight aeration, but it will gain harmony after a few years in the cellar. It will perfectly accompany roasted poultry, pork tenderloin, veal with mushrooms, duck with mild spices, a sauté of chanterelles, or a ripened soft cheese.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
