Santenay
Bio 2024
This is the Côte d’Or’s southernmost appellation, located just to the south of Chassagne-Montrachet …
Origin
Santenay, lying at the southern extremity of the Côte de Beaune, is home to both the nymph of water and the god of wine: it is both a spa and a winegrowing centre. The wines of Santenay present discernible differences according to which part of the appellation they hail from. The houses of Santenay and its associated hamlets form a scattering of small groups and sumptuous panoramic views are to be had from the hilltops. Human occupation here goes back to pre-history. The Sorine windmill also represents an important part of the history of this commune.
Santenay, so often associated with reds, reveals here a different face — radiant and refined Santenay, naturally associated with reds, reveals a completely different face here, luminous and racy. Sourced from two plots — Les Bieveaux and Sous la Roche - located high up in the village.
The grapes selected from this cuvée are certified Ecocert.
Viticulture
Grape variety: chardonnay
Soils: clay-limestone, marl, with bedrock.
Orientation: Southeast
Surface area under vine: 0.48 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 42 hL/ha
Average age of the vine: 31 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 24 September 2024.
The grapes were handpicked.
At the winery: the whole bunches of grapes were gently pressed for 2½ hours. The temperature of the must was brought down to 12°C then was immediately transferred to barrels with no settling to preserve a maximum of lees.
Ageing
Maturation: aged for 17 months in 450 L barrels with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. A proportion of 28% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a subtle, delicate touch of oak were used.
Bottling
Bottling: by gravity on March 10, 2026, wine fined with bentonite, light filtration.
Number of bottles: 1,997.
Vintage
Elegant and Structured
The 2024 vintage, marked by limited sunshine and frequent rainfall, required constant attention in the vineyard. At Les Ursulines, meticulous sorting allowed the selection of the most promising grapes (with very low yields in red), fully expressing the qualitative potential of the harvest. The result meets our highest expectations: the whites display beautiful freshness and acidity, while the reds reveal intense fruit character and supple tannins.
Ageing potential: from 7 to 10 years.
Tasting notes
This wine offers a clear, bright pale gold color. The nose is aromatic, combining white-fleshed fruit notes (apple, pear) with delicate hints of brioche and subtle smokiness. On the palate, it is balanced, blending freshness and richness, and reveals an elegant, rounded finish.
