Based in Chorey-Les-Beaune, the Arnoux family has tended the soils of Burgundy for generations. The storyline is so classic, it’s almost cliché. The grandfather sold wine in barrel to negociants. The uncles began bottling wine in-house and a great Burgundian domaine was born. Today, Pascal Arnoux is at the helm of the ship and has contributed consistency coupled with a traditional approach in the cellar, passed-down knowledge of oak usage (his father was a cooper) and dedicated sustainability in the field. After studying at the esteemed Lycée Viticole in Beaune, Pascal first joined the family business in 1990 then took full control in 2008. Under his guidance, the wines have never been better and continue to achieve greater levels of quality. It is domaines like this, full of history and family teamwork, that I turn to when searching for great Burgundian wines. 

Domaine Arnoux Père et Fils now farms just under 22 hectares over numerous appellations; they own 12 and rent another 10. Pascal has implemented lutte raisonnèe farming methods, which is a term that translates to, “reasoned fight.” He farms organically until there is no other option, nurturing the soils to promote healthy roots and vines. His primary focus is to produce energetic, living soil as well as a thriving ecosystem to allow the varied terroir of each parcel to speak clearly though his wines. This Bourgogne Rouge is derived from 15-25 year old vines sourced from just three hectares on the lower slopes of the Chorey-Les-Beaune appellation in the Côte de Beaune. The limestone and marl soil in this parcel delivers the trademark minerality that lovers of Pinot Noir from Burgundy lust after. The fruit is hand-harvested then entirely de-stemmed prior to fermentation in steel. The wine is aged in neutral Burgundian oak, which delivers a clear snapshot of the pure fruit and the distinct terroir. When elevage is complete, the wine undergoes gravity clarification and is bottled without fining or filtration. The result is a meticulously crafted, textbook example of red Burgundy at a fantastic value.