Maranges

These are David’s oldest vines, with two parcels planted in 1947 and 1943, on red clay and decomposed granite respectively. The slightly younger plot is Premier Cru land and makes up 45 percent of the blend. Vivid ruby in colour, the crunchy red-berry fruit mingles with chalky tannins to produce a very drinkable wine. Drink 2019-2023.


David began picking on 7th September for his Pinot Noir, pointing out that while this was the same date as in 2015, the two vintages have contrasting profiles. David used the word digeste to describe the 2017s, suggesting these are wines which will have you reaching for the next glass. The character of the vintage is one of freshness, purity, bright red fruit and floral notes, a combination which marries perfectly with Davids precise and confident winemaking style.

Fine, mid purple with really lovely sunny fruit, raspberry and maybe strawberry, hugely intense yet not weighty, with good acidity behind and perfect balance, very good length indeed. A favourite of ours every year. 
Jasper Morris, MW - Wine Buyer

David Croix picked relatively late for his reds, from October 3rd to 16th, but he wisely took the whites in first from 29th September to 2nd October. Overall he has been able to source more wine than for the pitifully small 2012 crop. These are beautiful wines, a marvellous expression of Pinot Noir, suited for medium term keeping.
 

Made from very old vines, this is pure clear and delicious. It is earthy style but the fruit is glorious with great weight, beautiful balance, tannins present but enrobed by the fruit. With all the length you could want, this impeccable wine is such a favourite of ours every year.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director

Winemaker and general manager, David Croix, has been grumbling that he feels he has the temperament of a grower rather than the deal-making knack of a born negoçiant, so he hasn’t found it easy to fill the cellar in 2012. We also find that tasting with him feels like being in a grower’s cellar, though Camille Giroud only owns a couple of vineyards. There are, nevertheless, one or two really exciting new wines here this year, notably the Volnay Santenots, and the whole cellar is on top form.

Certainly a personal favourite, this is one of the best-kept secrets in our range. The old vines here are approaching 70 years old and produce small yields of concentrated berries. The result is rich, succulent, red- berry fruit and high-quality tannins which speak more of the Côte de Nuits. Drink 2022-2030.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

In January 2002 Maison Camille Giroud was bought by an American consortium led by banker Joe Wender and winery-owner Ann Colgin, and a new chapter began. David Croix was installed as the winemaker/ technical director and tasked with a major revamping of the winemaking facilities and especially replacement and renewal of the old barrels to make wines in a much purer, more modern style. The company also owns 1.2 hectares of vineyards in and around Beaune. The 2016 vintage was a collaborative effort between the outgoing David Croix and his replacement, Carel Voorhuis, formerly of Domaine d’Ardhuy. The transition is a smooth one, with Carel’s gentle touch following on seamlessly from David’s elegant style. Carel described the 2016 vintage as lighter than 2015, with more elegance and better balance. It is clear he has a preference for 2016, highlighting the expressive, aromatic characteristics of the wines and calling them “ethereal”. He explained that it was important to avoid over-ripeness by picking in good time, and emphasised the value of gentle extraction to prevent obtaining hard tannins.

Burgundy 2009 Best Buys - Outside The Box
The southernmost appellation of the Côte d'Or deserves to be better known for its characterful reds – especially those from perfectly exposed vineyards, such as Le Croix Moines. Enjoy the balance of rich red fruit and ripe tannins for structure.
(Jasper Morris MW, BBR Buyer)

This muscular wine is from a very small but really quite special vineyard, high on the hillside in Maranges. Look not for delicacy but appreciate the compact, chunky body and the density of the fruit.