2013 Vincent Girardin, Bourgogne Rouge “Cuvee Saint-Vincent” France.
After creating his own top Burgundy negotiant company from scratch with great parcels and wines throughout the Cote d’Or including many Grand Crus, the Santenay born Vincent Girardin sold his company in 2012 and has gone into semi-retirement, but long time winemaker Eric Germain continues to produce gems for the Maison Vincent Girardin and the company keeps moving forward and remains a top value label for high quality Burgundy in all price ranges. I was a huge fan in the early years and was a happy customer until about the mid 2,000’s, so after a long spell it was nice to taste a new vintage and have it taste so lovely, elegant and fresh in detail. Imported by Vineyard Brands, Vincent Girardin excels in small lot wines, especially Cru white Burgundy, their old vine parcels in Corton and Batard-Montrachet are always stunning, but also their value priced reds are worth searching out, in particular the Cuvee Saint-Vincent Bourgogne Rouge offers a lot of style for the price and this 2013, a so-so vintage, is showing good form and is drinking very well. Light and spiced, the 2013 Vincent Girardin Saint-Vincent is what you think of when you think AC Burgundy, it shines in the glass with a translucent ruby/red hue in the glass and aromas of strawberry, crushed roses and peppery spices entice before a light/medium palate of tangy cherry, plum and briar laced raspberry fruits with subtle herb and mineral notes along with a hint of oak, earth and cranberry. Certainly this won’t thrill in depth or suddenly turn into a Premier or Grand Cru, but it does please and without a doubt it makes for a bargain in Pinot Noir, let alone Burgundy! Delicate and textured, it goes on and lingers on the finish with brightness and class, best slightly chilled and with food, it is not complicated or overly complex, but will be a fine and easy companion for another few years, perfect for newbies to the region and a super party wine.
($24 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive

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