Domaine Naudin-Ferrand

From two plots, the older of which is over 60-years-old. Once again the colour is not especially deep but the soft, strawberry fruit nose, will attract attention. There is very good weight on the palate, which is open, charming and slightly peppery. 
Jasper Morris, MW - Wine Buyer

This is our second vintage with Claire Naudin-Ferrnad and the first in the En Primeur catalogue. Don’t be put off by the simple Hautes-Côtes appellation, these are fascinating wines. The 2013 vintage was not an easy on to manage, though the grapes were all picked by 7th October and, as elsewhere in Burgundy, the wines have continued to improve in barrel.

Orchis mascula is a type of orchid; all the wines in Claire's original low SO2 range carry the name of a flower. This has a wonderful delicate colour and a lovely floral scent. To preserve those floral notes from the whole-bunch pressing, there is no pumping over and hardly any punching down during fermentation, which also explains the light colour. This is not a powerful wine on the palate, but the delicacy of the fruit carries it. Drink 2019-2023.
Adam Bruntlett, Wine Buyer

Since 1994, Claire Naudin, one of Henri Naudin-Ferrand’s three daughters, has been in charge of this small domaine based in the Hautes Côtes at Magny-lès-Villers, a village that sits astride the dividing line between Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Hautes Côtes de Nuits. Claire is relatively susceptible to sulphur and uses the product as little as possible. Her most exciting wines are those which are vinified with whole bunches (all the stems) and without sulphur, though some SO2 is added at bottling to ensure that the wines remain stable thereafter. Claire’s theory, which her wines bear out admirably, is that there is none of the harshness sometimes evident when the bunches are vinified with their stems if sulphur is not used. Instead a magical floral perfume emanates from the wine. Claire Naudin’s farm and winery may look ramshackle, but there’s an attention to detail here which is admirable. The rather old-fashioned look of her tanks and equipment seems to hark back to gentler times, and her wines certainly reflect that. The frosts were drastic here, and Claire lost 70 percent of her crop, and two 70-year- old parcels of Aligoté were completely destroyed. Previously Claire has made two ranges, one with more standard winemaking, but this year everything is made with low SO2.

Myosotis arvensis is forget-me-not. This is more structured and ample than the Orchis. The vines are not that old, but they have plenty of presence. The bouquet is a bit earthier, but still with the swirling top notes of Pinot. The palate has something a little untamed, but also more going on. A ragamuffin of a wine. Drink 2019-2024.
Adam Bruntlett, Wine Buyer

Since 1994, Claire Naudin, one of Henri Naudin-Ferrand’s three daughters, has been in charge of this small domaine based in the Hautes Côtes at Magny-lès-Villers, a village that sits astride the dividing line between Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Hautes Côtes de Nuits. Claire is relatively susceptible to sulphur and uses the product as little as possible. Her most exciting wines are those which are vinified with whole bunches (all the stems) and without sulphur, though some SO2 is added at bottling to ensure that the wines remain stable thereafter. Claire’s theory, which her wines bear out admirably, is that there is none of the harshness sometimes evident when the bunches are vinified with their stems if sulphur is not used. Instead a magical floral perfume emanates from the wine. Claire Naudin’s farm and winery may look ramshackle, but there’s an attention to detail here which is admirable. The rather old-fashioned look of her tanks and equipment seems to hark back to gentler times, and her wines certainly reflect that. The frosts were drastic here, and Claire lost 70 percent of her crop, and two 70-year- old parcels of Aligoté were completely destroyed. Previously Claire has made two ranges, one with more standard winemaking, but this year everything is made with low SO2.