Alain Hudelot-Noellat, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Au Bas de Combe, Burgundy

An introduction to Alain Hudelot-Noellat, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Au Bas de Combe, Burgundy

This is a classic Bourgogne Pinot Noir produced by the renowned Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat located in the iconic Côte de Nuits in northern Burgundy. The wine hails from the esteemed Bas de Combes site, which is located a stone’s throw away from Premier Cru vineyards in Nuits-Saint-Georges. Nuits Saint Georges Bas de Combes received its Village appellation in 1936. With just under 300 hectares, it is mostly planted with Pinot Noir, but about ten hectares of Chardonnay are also cultivated. This Burgundy wine offers dense black fruit notes, a firm tannic structure, signature earthy, savoury hints and a long, complex finish. The average annual production of Alain Hudelot-Noëllat Nuits-Saint-Georges Bas de Combes totals no more than 1,200 bottles.

Performance

Understanding Alain Hudelot-Noellat, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Au Bas de Combe, Burgundy

Domaine Alain Hudelot-Noëllat cultivates just under a quarter of a hectare parcel of Pinot Noir in the Bas de Combes plot. The domaine’s vines are planted on an east-facing slope permitting gentle sunlight and allowing slow and steady grape ripening. Deep limestone and clay soils contribute to the richness of this Pinot Noir. Manuel harvesting and sorting ensure that only the best-quality fruit is vinified, and the grapes are de-stemmed prior to fermentation to achieve softer tannins. Limited punching down takes place for gentle extraction. Ambient yeasts introduce a unique character to each vintage and wines do not undergo clarification or filtering to further enhance this quality. The wine matures in oak barrels (30% new oak). Although a Village Burgundy, wine critic John Gilman has described it as rivalling Premier Cru quality in a ‘very elegant rendition of Nuits St. Georges’.

Price Index