Vintage Character The 2022 Bourgogne Rouge 'Champ Franc' from Heresztyn-Mazzini benefited from a very different start to the year than the estate's frost-hit 2021. Pruning after mid-March delayed budburst, so the early-April cold spell did little damage. Warm conditions from mid-April then accelerated growth, and flowering was around two weeks ahead of the usual calendar. Summer heat and a shortage of water brought ripening forward, before the domaine began harvesting on 5 September. The estate describes its 2022 reds as coloured, supple and concentrated, with soft tannins, and this regional Pinot Noir shows ripe fruit in a flexible frame.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing Champ Franc is associated with a plot on the eastern edge of Gevrey-Chambertin. Its character lies in the tension between juicy red fruit and an earthy, savoury underside: strawberry, redcurrant and a touch of plum, with clove and earth, then a lifted acidity that keeps the wine moving, at 13% alcohol. A medium-bodied shape makes it adaptable at the table: roast poultry, charcuterie, grilled mushrooms or a lightly sauced pork dish all sit comfortably beside it. Serve at about 15 to 16 degrees. With age, forest floor and dried flowers appear.
Winery Background Domaine Heresztyn-Mazzini is the project of Florence Heresztyn and Simon Mazzini, based in Gevrey-Chambertin. Its approximately six hectares extend into Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle-Musigny, with a range that spans regional wines, village sites, premiers crus and Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru. The estate works with an organic approach and records each year's growing conditions in detail. Champ Franc shows why its regional wines deserve attention in their own right: a specific parcel, an identifiable grape and the warm, early 2022 season meet in a bottle designed for immediate gastronomic pleasure.