Domaine de la Choupette, 29th October

Thoughts and solidarity with the French at the moment. Bloody awful.

The journey continued...

We were slightly early for our appointment in Santenay so had a wander round. It really is a very pretty village with the hills rising in the background.

Then Perrine from Domaine de la Choupette appeared, along with her son (it was half term) and we tasted our way through the 2014s.

First were a pair of whites: the Santenay Saint-Jean had a very nice weight and texture and interesting flavours - Perrine mentioned lychee. The Chassagne 1er cru Morgeots was a beautiful pale gold colour and a bit heftier with good acidity and length, and citrussy flavours.

Then it was on to the reds. The Santenay Comme Dessus was a beautiful ruby colour and had lovely fruit and suppleness. The Santenay 1er cru la Comme was less immediately approachable, more serious and reserved but will no doubt show its full colours in time, while the Santenay 1er cru les Rousseaus was new this year. This vineyard is on the west side of the village while la Comme is on the east, and the wine had good structure and complexity.

The village Chassagne was silky with red fruit flavours and was tempting to drink already, while the 1er cru Morgeot was darker in colour with intense fruit on the nose and one could see the quality differential. This is the real deal and as usual, you pays your money and you takes your choice. There will be some difficult decisions to be made come January...