UNDER THE RADAR BURG + A DURRMANN DROP📡

Heyy, Fionn today!

Straight into it with some incredibly limited Burgundy. Chris Santini has somehow been flying under the radar. How I’ll never know. Considering he is based in Beaune, working for a certain Kermit Lynch, you’d think he’d be the talk of the town. A negociant since 2013, alongside the day job, he sources organic fruit from unusual or ‘off the beaten track’ appellations. In 2016 he acquired his cellar in Auxey that would go on to become the critical incubator for the emerging expat talent in the area. Support was given to Jonathan Purcell of Vin Noe, Christian Knott of Dandelion, Bastien Wolber, and Arnaud Lopez to name but a few. I guess we owe Chris a big thank you. A few bottles recently trickled over here. I grabbed as much as I could. Sadly, that was F*** all. Lucky for you I stocked up whilst in France. Otherwise, the whole allocation would be coming home with me…

Firstly, a delightful blend of Pinot and Gamay. This is Burgs without the serious shackles, a pure-fruited, joyous thing that deserves a chill. Going up a gear with an ethereal Pinot, that is far from overworked/overpriced stuff. Finally, a Bourgogne Blanc that is racy, saline, and nutty.

New Durrmann ‘23s have also entered the chat. Easily, the best vintage in recent memory. A warm-ish year, but with rain in the right places so the fruit was in excellent nick. Happy, healthy ferments meant no sulphur across the board too.
God, I just adore these wines. They’re always so energetic and vibrant.

Here is an excellent Sylvaner that I cracked into last weekend. Herbal and citrus-laden. Stable over a few days, it was just getting better and better too.

With the Pinot Blanc, we’re met with a slight smoky reduction. It blows off quick to reveal gorgeous fruit and a chalky texture.

Krax is back with it’s wild aromatics, pithy citrus, and just enough grip.

Gaz de Schistes is giving big mango Rubicon energy this year.

As ever, the Gewurz is restrained, refined, and most importantly dry. Think more tropical than the usual bath bomb soapy thing.

Excellent year for the red too, this vintage is mineral and persistent. Reckon, it’ll age a right treat too!

Despite the current rain and temperature, I simply must mention this Rosé. Gamay over granite is a match made in heaven, yet rarely do we see it directly pressed for something pink. I don’t like to drink the same wines over and over again, especially note in short space of time. I take this wine thing serious, gotta search for new wines for you all and one can only drink so much whilst being responsible… That said, I’ve consumed this bottle at least three, yes three, times in the past few weeks. Oops. Make of that what you will.

Have a good one,

Fionn

xoxo