Domaine Bachey-Legros
At the southern border of the Côte de Beaune, the village of Santenay is surrounded by a messy jigsaw of soils that are planted to both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Adjacent to Santenay, and the southernmost wine appellation of the Côte de Beaune, is Maranges. Both Santenay and Maranges are geologically more closely related to the Côte de Nuits than to the Côte de Beaune; the soil here contains more ferrous clay which sees a high percentage of Pinot Noir being planted. However, there was once a glacier here as well, and Chardonnay has been planted on the stony soil which is left behind.
For six generations this confusing climat has been home to Domaine Bachey-Legros, now one of the oldest domaines in Santenay. Lénaïc and Samuel Legros work tirelessly in the vineyard, then turn their high quality fruit, from often very old vines, into beautifully expressive, terroir-driven wines.
The villages of Santenay and Maranges are an ideal source of wines with a very good price/quality ratio, while Domaine Bachey-Legros was nominated in 2017 by the professional magazine ‘Bourgogne Aujourd’hui’ as Producer of the Year, and ‘Decanter’ magazine recently put them on the ‘Domaines to Watch’ list.
Wines Imported
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From Jasper Morris MW: “While labelled as a village Maranges, this is almost 100% single vineyard. The vineyard is Sous le Bois du Nord, not mentioned on the label, as another plot has just been planted in Sur la Rue des Pierres. Pale colour, smoky and warm up front, fresher and lively behind, still a smoky character, and a light bitterness. Minerals, despite the clay, though there are stones and flint too.”
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The ‘La Comme’ vineyard is perfectly located mid-slope at the northern edge of the Santenay commune, on the Chassagne side.
The Bachey-Legros parcel from ‘La Comme’ is in the middle of the appellation and was planted in 1955. It gives low yields of small grapes. Aged for 12 months in oak, 30% new, it produces a wine with an aromatic bouquet of sandalwood, vanilla, and floral notes.
Delicate, smooth, and juicy on the palate, with plenty of ripe cherry and raspberry, and accents of herbs and cracked pepper, this is a well structured, powerful and concentrated wine, with good ageing potential.
Cellar: 6-8 years.
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Planted in 1950, these old vines delve deep into the limestone resulting in rich, supple, silky tannins. ‘Les Charmes’ vineyard is located just below the ‘Clos Rousseau’ 1er cru in Santenay. A very round, naturally garnet red coloured wine, with aromas of fresh cherries and a dash of spice. Immediately accessible or suitable for short term ageing.
