Every serious Burgundy collector and enthusiast faces the same struggle: you want the soulful, terroir-driven complexity of the Côte d'Or, but you don't want to prematurely pop a three-figure Premier Cru that needs another decade in the cellar. The 2023 Justin Girardin Maranges "Vieilles Vignes" solves this dilemma perfectly, serving as the ultimate "drink-while-you-wait" bottle that delivers the precision and structural pedigree of elite-level Red Burgundy at a fraction of Premier Cru pricing. This vibrant Pinot Noir is in a spectacular place to enjoy over the next two to three years, allowing your higher-end acquisitions to quietly rest and mature while satisfying your immediate craving for authentic Red Burgundy character.

The Girardin name has been synonymous with elite Burgundy for centuries, and Justin represents the 13th generation of a family line heavily cemented by his uncle, Vincent Girardin, and his father, Jacques Girardin. Today, Justin is one of the most exciting young talents in the region, farming 17 hectares of pristine family holdings across Pommard, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Savigny-lès-Beaune. Operating out of the family headquarters in neighboring Santenay, this bottling utilizes 50-year-old vines sourced from parcels straddling right along Santenay's neighboring Premier Cru sites.

We recently tasted Justin Girardin’s lineup of Santenays and Pommards, and this old-vine Maranges stole the show—delivering absolute crowd-pleasing brilliance at an unbeatable price. In the glass, it bursts with fresh wild black cherries, crushed red plums, tea leaf, and a stony undercurrent; fanatics of the finest cool-climate, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills or California’s Sonoma Coast will deeply appreciate the wine’s energetic spice, juicy fruit core, and crunchy minerality.

Santé 

Why You’ll Love It

• Sourced from 50-year-old vines that straddle neighboring Santenay 1er Cru sites, it delivers elite Côte d'Or complexity at a fraction of the price.

• It offers immediate, high-toned Burgundy joy right now, allowing your heavy-hitting, expensive allocations to quietly rest and mature.

• With its combination of energetic spice, a juicy fruit core, and crunchy minerality, it is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that cool-climate Oregon and California Pinot fanatics will love.

How to Serve It

• Serve it slightly chilled—around 55–58°F (13–14°C)—to keep the bright red plum and cherry fruit tightly focused and refreshing.

• Pour it into a traditional, large-bowled Burgundy glass to allow the complex tea leaf and stony floral aromas to fully open up.

• Its vibrant acidity and juicy core make it incredibly versatile—pair it with roasted chicken, seared salmon, mushroom risotto, or an earthy charcuterie board.