Jacques Girardin Santenay 1er Cru 'Clos Rousseau' 2022

The 2022 Santenay 1er Cru Clos Rousseau opens with alluring aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and rose petal, accented by hints of clove, forest floor, and delicate oak. The palate is supple and graceful, showing vibrant red fruit framed by fine tannins and lifted acidity. Subtle notes of spice, mineral, and earth emerge with aeration, leading to a long, perfumed finish that captures the essence of southern Côte de Beaune elegance.

Quick Facts

• Region: Santenay Premier Cru, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
• Vineyard: Clos Rousseau 1er Cru
• Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2022
• Farming: Sustainable (lutte raisonnée)
• Winemaker: Jacques Girardin
• Aging: 14 months in French oak (20–25% new)
• ABV: 13%
• Production: Small family estate bottling

Tasting Profile

• Aromas: Red cherry, raspberry, rose petal, and baking spice
• Palate: Medium-bodied and elegant with fine tannins, bright fruit, and earthy depth
• Finish: Long, refined, and mineral with a lingering floral lift

Why We Love It at Petit Philippe

Jacques Girardin’s Clos Rousseau is a perfect example of why Santenay remains one of Burgundy’s best-kept secrets. The 2022 vintage brings generosity without losing finesse — a seamless balance of fruit, texture, and terroir. It’s a Premier Cru Burgundy that overdelivers in both pedigree and pleasure, ideal for collectors and Burgundy enthusiasts alike.

Winemaking

The Girardin family has been rooted in Santenay for generations, with Jacques continuing the tradition of crafting elegant, terroir-driven wines that express the character of each Premier Cru parcel.

• Fermentation: Hand-harvested fruit, 100% destemmed, fermented with native yeasts in temperature-controlled vats.

• Aging: 14 months in French oak barrels (20–25% new) to enhance texture and aromatic complexity.

• Soil: Limestone-clay with scattered marl, giving structure and fine minerality.

• Style: Polished and pure, with a balance of red fruit and savory nuance.

Aging Potential: 2025–2035. Refined and expressive now, yet capable of graceful development over a decade.

Vintage Notes: 2022 delivered a near-perfect growing season — warm days and cool nights yielded wines with ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and supple tannins, reflecting the modern golden age of Côte de Beaune Pinot Noir.

Serving & Pairing

Serve at 58–62°F after brief decanting. Pairs beautifully with roast duck, coq au vin, mushroom dishes, or seared salmon. The balance of fruit and earth also complements truffle pasta or aged cheeses like Époisses and Comté.

Drinking Window

2025–2035. Approachable in its youth for its charm and silkiness, yet built to evolve with secondary notes of forest floor and spice over time.

Estate Overview

Located in the southernmost reaches of the Côte de Beaune, Domaine Jacques Girardin is a family-run estate known for precise, terroir-driven wines that balance tradition and modernity. The Clos Rousseau vineyard, classified as Premier Cru, is considered the crown jewel of Santenay — its stony, southeast-facing slopes producing Pinot Noirs of aromatic lift and refined texture. Under Jacques Girardin’s careful stewardship, this cuvée exemplifies the estate’s dedication to purity, elegance, and the authentic expression of Burgundy’s southern terroirs.