DOMAINE FRANCOISE & DENIS CLAIR

SANTENAY

What the Critics are saying:

Bettane et Desseauve - Le Classement des Meilleurs Vins de France 2010: “A very united, generous family: a family with good taste and beautiful vines on the best terroirs of Saint-Aubin and Santenay. All of this explains the success this domaine has achieved over some twenty years.”

Our notes:

We were able to ship the 1995 and 1996 vintages from this Domaine before they caught the attention of Clive Coates and the American scribes, or Michel Bettane of Le Classement for that matter. In Le Classement 2004, Bettane had high praise for this producer: “This friendly couple of vignerons have for a long time produced the most seductive reds of Santenay, having been one of the first to understand the need to cool the must to extract the wine’s maximum aromatic potential.”

Today Denis works closely with his son, Jean-Baptiste, and the latter's involvement has had a clear impact on the quality and style of the wines in recent years. The last few vintages have had wonderful freshness and vibrancy while this latest release, from the exceptional and much-praised 2009 vintage, is certainly the finest and most immediately delicious Denis Clair Côtes de Beaune we have imported. This is classic Pinot Noir, not to mention classic Côtes de Beaune, this time fully adorned with all the bells and whistles of a perfect Burgundian harvest.