Wines Santenay Roux Père & Fils - Beaurepaire - 2020

Roux Père & Fils Santenay Premier Cru Cuvée Beaurepaire 2020 is a remarkable red Burgundy that highlights the finesse of Pinot Noir from the southern reaches of the Côte de Beaune. The 2020 vintage experienced a relatively warm and early season, contributing to ripe fruit quality while maintaining the acidity essential for balance. This Premier Cru, produced from carefully selected parcels on clay-limestone soils, benefits from meticulous vinification that seeks to express the purity of the fruit and the distinctive minerality of Santenay. The wine typically reveals bright aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry, underscored by earthy nuances, subtle spice, and a gentle oak influence from restrained barrel aging.

The Santenay appellation, one of the southernmost villages of the Côte de Beaune, is often overshadowed by its more famous northern neighbours, yet it offers wines of impressive structure and authenticity. The region's soils are predominantly marly limestone, which gives the wines their signature elegance and vitality. Historically, Santenay has been prized not only for its vineyards but also for its spa town heritage, and the wines are renowned for their sturdy character and ability to age gracefully. The region benefits from a semi-continental climate with warm summers and cool nights, allowing slow, optimal ripening of Pinot Noir grapes.

Roux Père & Fils Santenay Premier Cru Cuvée Beaurepaire 2020 calls for refined food pairings that echo its Burgundian origins. Roast duck with cherries or classic coq au vin would enhance the wine’s depth and fruit character, while mushroom risotto or herb-crusted pork tenderloin would bring out its savoury, earthy notes. For a regional touch, consider pairing it with Burgundy’s famed escargots or a well-aged Epoisses cheese.

For ideal enjoyment, serve this wine at 15-17°C in large Burgundy glasses to allow the bouquet to unfurl. Decanting for up to an hour can help integrate the youthful tannins and highlight the wine’s complexity, especially if opened within the first five years after the vintage.