Domaine Jean-Jacques Girard Beaune Premier Cru Clos de Roi 2016

Jean-Jacques Girard’s family can trace their grape-growing history in Burgundy back to 1529. That would make the domain one of the oldest in Burgundy – and over that time they've become one of the best. Your first sip of their 2016 Premier Cru Beaune Pinot Noir is proof of their credentials.Jean-Jacques Girard inherited his father's vineyards back in the late 90s, and since then he's built up the domaine's holdings to include a number of Premier Cru sitesMaster of Wine Jancis Robinson describes 2016 as “a seriously delicious vintage” for Burgundy. But crop yields were down on the previous year due to frost damage, which means prices inevitably shot up. Despite that, this Premier Cru Beaune is still fairly reasonably pricedCan be enjoyed now for its intensely aromatic fresh fruit character, but will hugely benefit from further cellaring – anything up to 10 years. Bright red fruits at the fore, with an earthy twist and lightly lingering savoury notes – leather, cigar box. Very silky, but with plenty of tannic structure which promises great things to come after a few more years in bottle.