Vintage Character Arnaud Baillot Hautes Côtes de Beaune 2021 is a Bourgogne wine from the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune appellation. Spring frost and unsettled weather tested the vines, while rain from late June into early August increased disease pressure. Dry conditions and a north wind from mid-August then aided ripening; Pinot Noir generally preceded Chardonnay at harvest. Smaller crops and a return to more typical September picking dates distinguish this cooler year from the warmer seasons around it. For Pinot Noir from Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune, the season puts acidity and tannin texture in dialogue with red-fruit ripeness. In the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune appellation bottling, expect supple fruit and easy movement. The September picking rhythm and smaller crop distinguish this cooler vintage from the adjacent warm years.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing This Pinot Noir puts cherry, raspberry and violet ahead of gentle spice and earth, with oak in a supporting role. On the palate it is dry and medium in body, with fine, medium tannin and medium-high acidity giving the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune fruit a fresh frame. The finish is fresh and easy, with forest floor and dried flowers adding depth as the wine ages. Try it with duck breast and lentils, or glazed duck with mild spices; the fine tannin and medium-high acidity suit these dishes without overpowering them.
Winery Background Arnaud Baillot works with his wife Laure from Beaune, selecting small parcels across village, Premier Cru and Grand Cru appellations. He favours restrained new oak and an approach that lets the place stay legible in the finished wine. In the estate's Burgundy range, this is the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune appellation bottling. Pinot Noir and the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune name set the wine's frame, and the 2021 season shapes its balance.