On Sunday, the last full day of our Burgundy trip, my wife and I took a walk around the vineyards surrounding Morey-Saint-Denis. Incidentally, it was also the day of the Marathon des Grand Crus, which led straight through the town of Morey-Saint-Denis back towards Dijon. That made for some nice impressions of locals celebrating this year’s harvest. There was live music and fun to be had. We were curious about the fact some runners seemed to prefer Chardonnay over water at the supply stand in the village centre.
My wife and I arrived in Beaune for our Burgundy trip today. As the fine restaurant we originally planned to have dinner at didn’t allow dogs inside, we wandered about in the old town and spontaneously went to a bistro for down to earth Burgundian food. There, I also ordered this modest 2019 Albert Bichot Fixin.
Having originally been founded in Monthélie in 1813, Maison Albert Bichot is based in Beaune today and owns six estates across Burgundy. The 2019 Albert Bichot Fixin is a cuvée from several vineyards in Fixin in the Côte de Nuits, just north of the better-known Gevrey-Chambertin.
EN: From a half bottle, this mature Pinot Noir presents itself distinctly lively and fresh. The colour is a transparent dark red with first hints of brick red.
The bouquet is initially leathery and earthy with the “sous-bois” typical of Vosne-Romanée. With time, however, the wine expands immensely in the glass, so that dark fruits, such as blackberries and sour cherries, also present themselves more strongly. The spices are also well integrated. Is that liquorice? You could spend hours with this wine just to recognise all the aromas that present themselves here. Complex, but very balanced and beautiful!
In the mouth, a tannin that is still firm after more than 20 years. Nevertheless, the wine seems elegant and light. The acidity is animating. Juicy, cassis and dark berries.
Outstanding quality for a “simple” Village wine. One can only dream of what Forey might conjure up with a Premier Cru or Grand Cru. And yes, I trust this wine to have another 5 to 10 years of ageing potential if well stored. DM95.
DE: Aus einer halben Flasche präsentiert sich dieser gereifte Pinot Noir ausgesprochen lebendig und frisch. Die Farbe ein transparentes dunkelrot mit ersten Anklängen von ziegelrot.
Im Bouquet zunächst ledrig und erdig mit dem für Vosne-Romanée typischen “sous-bois“. Mit der Zeit baut der Wein im Glas aber ungemein aus, so dass sich stärker auch dunkle Früchte, wie Brombeeren und Sauerkirsche, präsentieren. Gut eingebunden sind auch die Gewürze. Ist das Lakritze? Man könnte mit diesem Wein Stunden verbringen, nur um alle Aromen zu erkennen, die sich einem hier bieten. Komplex, aber sehr balanciert und wunderschön!
Im Mund ein nach über 20 Jahren immer noch festes Tannin. Dennoch wirkt der Wein elegant und leicht. Die Säure ist animierend. Saftig, Cassis und dunkle Beeren.
Herausragend diese Qualität für einen “einfachen” Village-Wein. Man kann nur davon träumen, was Forey mit einem Premier Cru oder Grand Cru zaubern dürfte. Und ja, ich traue diesem Wein bei guter Lagerung weitere 5 bis 10 Jahre Reifepotenzial zu. DM95.
