Vanessa

9.2

Here’s to exploring Fixin AOC, the northernmost appellation of the Côte de Nuits in the Côte d’Or of Burgundy!

Fixin is home to 6 premier cru climats including Clos Napoléon. It’s primarily known for its Pinot Noir (approx. 96%) but also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Fixin rouge wines are sometimes compared to its neighbor to the south, Gevrey Chambertin AOC, but with a lighter body and profile. It can be a great source of value in an increasingly expensive region.

Tonight, we’re enjoying the 2019 Pierre Gelin Fixin rouge 1er Cru Clos Napoléon.

Clos Napoléon is also a monopole, owned exclusively by Domaine Pierre Gelin today. It’s a small but prestigious vineyard, situated on a hillside slope, with old vines dating back 70 years!

This property used to be owned by Claude Noisot, the surgeon to Emperor Napoléon, and the vineyard was formerly called “Aux Cheuzots.”

Claude Noisot renamed the property “Clos Napoléon” in honor of his famous patient and hired a renowned sculptor to create "Le Réveil de (the awakening of) Napoléon” – a nearby statue, featured on this label.

As for this particular wine, it’s beautiful! It’s medium ruby in color. Its bouquet is perfumed and layered with notes of black cherry, mulberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, red plum, fennel seed, fennel fronds, chervil, licorice, clove, cooked morel mushroom, wet earth, vanilla, and saddle leather. The palate is lively with bright acidity and smooth, polished tannins. The alcohol has a delicate warming presence and the finish lingers. — a month ago

with Deked1

Aaron

9.5

Had it with Tony for thanksgiving 2022. “Maybe the best we’ve ever had!” — 2 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.1

Light & floral with bright cherries, violets, crushed red currants plus a whiff of spice & tree. Ram. There’s also a hint of dried Mandarine peel. Very enticing.
On the palate this is quite light, very juicy, wo the great energy & flow. The acidity is bright & lively, the tannins present but juicy and very fine. Nicely focused and with pure, fresh red fruit, crushed rock, brilliant drinkability.
Great value for money. The bottle empties dangerously fast! — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 2022 “Les Vieux Clos” pours a light golden color with medium+ viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with white tree flowers, mandarine oranges, ginger, lanolin and just a touch mousy. On the palate, the wine is slightly off-dry with high acid that’s balanced by the unquestionable quality of the fruit. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, wooly and rich. The alcohol is medium+ but should be at all be surprised? Say what you want about Joly’s methods; his wines are never boring. I, for one, adore them. Drink now through 2032 easy. — 5 months ago

Andre

9.5

Mandarine et autres agrumes, mais aussi pêche blanche. Texture soyeuse. Vraiment extraordinaire. — a year ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.1

Quite closed & shy on the nose upon opening, with a short decant shows ripe pear on sourdough toast, with a healthy pinch of salt. But also expands with time, showing nutmeg, dried mandarine peel, wet pebbles, limestone minerality.
Fresh & incredibly enticing. Quite subtle nonetheless.
On the palate this is a stunner. Intense, structured, with juicy acidity and a almost tannic frame. Ripe pears & apples and loads of minerality, saltiness, savoury edges. Rich yet with great flow, elegant yet with interesting edges. Only the alc (13.5%) could be integrated better, as it slightly sticks out towards the finish.
A brilliant PB and amazing value, too.
Just don’t overchill or it goes bland. — 2 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

8.9

Big and broad. Some tartness, meyer lemon, almond, hint mandarine. A little hot 14%. — 10 months ago

Sébastien F

9.3

Riesling espagnol, nez sur les agrumes citron mandarine, citron vert, qq notes florales, chèvrefeuille. La bouche révèle une belle acidité tranchante! — a year ago

Yaw Awuku

9.3

Nice, nice, nice! Decent fruit and citric minerality in the nose. Some pineapple, sweet mandarine, flower honey flow along the palate with a surprisingly creamy touch. Finishes with a tight and bone dry grip. More! — 2 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

Fantastic aromatics of Meyer Lemon, hint pineapple sage, mandarine zest and touch of Elderberry. Salty, plenty of minerals, touch tart. This is just so much fun to drink. — 3 years ago