Pierre Girardin Eclat de Calcaire Bourgogne Blanc Côte de Beaune 2021

Pierre Girardin is the 13th generation of his family to make wine in Burgundy. He grew up learning in the cellar of his revered father, Vincent Girardin, from a very young age. When the elder Girardin sold his domaine in 2011, he made sure to keep 4.5 hectares of his best sites to one day pass on to his son, the same thing his father did for him a generation before. In 2017, Pierre made his first vintage and immediately garnered the attention of Burgundy lovers everywhere. His father’s extensive contacts in Burgundy allowed Pierre to supplement his domaine vineyards through long term contracts with top growers who hold his meticulous viticultural philosophy. Together, it represents a portfolio of terroir rarely seen under one roof. To make white wines with the purity, cut and precision he desires, Pierre commissioned custom 456L barrels from Francois Freres to reduce the amount of new wood influence. 

As Pierre explains, he was learning from and helping his father in the cellar from the time he could walk. His best memories of childhood include chasing the tractor through the vineyards and being near the barrels as his father worked. Simply put, he knows Burgundy. It is in his blood. In just his third vintage of making wines under his own moniker, I am beyond awestruck by the extraordinary level of near perfection. These wines are just stunning… 100% Chardonnay coming from 80% Meursault and 20% Volnay. All organically farmed these vines are 45+ years old coming from the lieux-dits of Les Magny, Les Herbeux, and Monpoulain. Fermented and aged in 456L barrels (30% new) for nine months, then five months in stainless steel before bottling. A bright array of flashy citrus and stone fruits along with a flinty minerality and refreshing acidity.