Vincent Girardin : Saint-Aubin 1er cru "Murgers des Dents de Chien" 2023

The Mineral Expression of a Saint-Aubin Premier Cru

The Estate
Founded in 1980 by Vincent Girardin in Santenay, Burgundy, the estate began with just a few hectares of vines before expanding and establishing a wine merchant business in 1992. Now based in Meursault, the vineyard covers around thirty hectares. Since 2012, the estate has been led by Jean-Pierre Nié, with Eric Germain overseeing technical direction. The estate stands out for its biodynamic approach and philosophy of minimal intervention, aiming to express the authenticity of each terroir.

The Vineyard
The "Murgers des Dents de Chien" climat is a Premier Cru located at the highest point of the Saint-Aubin appellation, on a limestone plateau overlooking the region. Facing south and southeast, the vines, over twenty-five years old, thrive on very stony soils rich in white clay and limestone. This unique geological composition encourages slow ripening and gives the grapes a pronounced mineral character.

The Vintage
The year 2023 began with a mild, dry winter, leading to bud break in early April that spared the vines from frost. The warm spring allowed for a quick and even flowering. Summer brought average rainfall, ensuring healthy development. However, an unexpected heatwave in early September made it necessary to bring the harvest forward to preserve the balance and freshness of the grapes.

Winemaking and Aging
A philosophy of minimal intervention guides the making of this Saint-Aubin 1er Cru "Murgers des Dents de Chien" 2023. Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts. To preserve aromatic purity and mineral precision, the wine is aged in custom-made 456-litre barrels, limiting the impact of the wood on the wine. The use of inputs is strictly limited.

Grape Variety
Chardonnay (100%).

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Saint-Aubin 1er Cru "Murgers des Dents de Chien" 2023 by Vincent Girardin

Tasting

Colour
This French white wine displays a pale straw hue of moderate intensity, reflecting a lovely visual freshness.

Nose
The bouquet opens with floral aromas of honeysuckle and white flowers, underpinned by a minerality reminiscent of flint. With aeration, subtle notes of white peach and citrus emerge with precision.

Palate
The attack reveals a mineral tension characteristic of its limestone terroir. The mid-palate offers a lovely textural richness where citrus and stone fruit flavours intertwine, carried by well-integrated acidity. The finish stands out for its persistence and distinctly stony imprint.

Food and Wine Pairing
This wine pairs beautifully with rich seafood such as lobster in butter sauce, scallops in cream sauce or grilled fish. It also goes wonderfully with cow's milk cheeses such as Époisses or Brie, as well as vegetarian dishes like a creamy risotto.

Service and Storage
To fully appreciate this Saint-Aubin 1er Cru "Murgers des Dents de Chien" 2023, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 13°C, after opening it thirty minutes in advance. This vintage can be enjoyed now, but its structure will allow it to age favourably in the cellar until around 2036.