The village of Givry located in Burgundy’s Côte de Chalonnaise is known primarily for its Pinot Noir, making up 80% of its production. The Ragot family have traced their wine growing history back to 1760 when Gabriel Ragot tended vines in Mercurey. About a century later, Louis Ragot established a property in Givry. There he not only grew grapes, but also a number of different crops, as well as raising livestock. The Vieilles Vignes comes from a tiny 1.25 hectare vineyard of Pinot Noir vines averaging 50 years in age. The wine has notes of black fruits, cassis, blackberry, and raspberry along with some vanilla and spice. A nice match for grilled steaks, pork roast or chicken stew, or hard cheeses like aged gouda or parmesan.

ROBERT PARKER’S WINE ADVOCATE: Nicolas Ragot took the helm at this eight-hectare Givry estate in 2003, modernizing the bottling line and cuverie to work in a more precise, less interventionist manner. Working the soils, harvesting by hand and classical winemaking with destemmed fruit and macerations of some 10-15 days are the rudiments of the approach. The result is supple, flavorful reds and whites that still fly somewhat under the radar and merit consumer attention.

VINOUS: The 2020 Givry Vieilles Vignes has plenty of red berry fruit on the nose, though it just misses a little complexity. The palate is medium-bodied with candied red cherries and strawberry, gentle grip, fleshy and ripe with a touch of brown sugar on the finish.