By Domaine de Bellene
Beaune Premier Cru 'Cuvee Hommage a Francoise Potel' Vieilles Vignes 2021

Background
The Potel family has made Burgundy wines since 1964. From Gerard to Nicolas, 50 years of passion for the vine, wine, and human beings have passed. This cuvee, composed of five 1er Crus, reflects the complexity and delicacy of our terroirs in Beaune, on which our Pinot Noirs are resting. The climats of Pertuisots, Montee Rouge, Reverses, Bressandes, and Clos du Roi are part of this cuvee. We carry out smooth pumping-overs and perform foot-treading. The grapes are gently pressed in a vertical press.

Vintage Details
After several years of August harvests, 2021 marks the return to a late September harvest. At Domaine de Bellene, harvest is an entirely manual process. 2021 was a wet year, with a severe spring frost episode. The harvest was of very good quality but low yield due to the negative temperatures in April. The wines of the 2021 vintage are delicious, round, well-balanced, with aromas of red fruits for the Pinot Noirs and white-fleshed fruits for the Chardonnays. Aging in oak barrels adds woody notes to reds and toasted hazelnut notes to whites. Their elegance allows these wines to be drunk young or after a period of aging in the cellar.

Vineyard Details
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Rootstock: 3309C and 161-49C
Planting Density: 10,000 stocks/ha

Wine Details
Malolactic Fermentation: 100%
Aging: In 30% new oak
Fining: No
Filtration: Yes

Service
Pairing: Red meat
Cellaring Potential: 10-20 years
Service Temperature: 14-16 degrees C
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

Wine: Domaine de Bellene Beaune Premier Cru Vieilles Vignes Hommage a Francoise Potel 2021
Score/Rating: 91
Suggested Drinking Window: Best from 2027 through 2042
Review Date: 05/31/2024
Reviewed By: Bruce Sanderson
Tasting Notes: This sleek red shows an attractive balance between the wild strawberry, cherry, green olive, sandalwood and vegetal elements. Though light on its feet, this is intense and lingers on the finish, which shows fruity and savory accents. Best from 2027 through 2042.

Wine: Domaine de Bellene 2021 Beaune Vieilles Vignes - Hommage a Francoise Potel 1er Cru
Score/Rating: 88-91
Suggested Drinking Window: 2028+
Review Date: 04/10/2023
Tasting Notes: While it may just have been this particular sample, the color seemed a bit evolved. With that said, there is good freshness to the airy essence of red cherry, floral and earth-scented nose. The energetic flavors are quite supple on the mid palate, yet the overtly austere finish is a bit lean and could also use better complexity. As the description confirms, this is presently a bit awkward and not easy to judge though my projected rating offers the benefit of the doubt.

Wine: Dom de Bellene, Hommage a Francoise Potel Vieilles Vignes Premier Cru 2021 Beaune
Score/Rating: 16.5/20
Suggested Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
Review Date: 01/02/2023
Reviewed By: Matthew Hayes
Tasting Notes: A blend of five Beaune premiers crus: Pertuisots, Les Reverses, Montee Rouge, Clos du Roi and Les Bressandes. Cask sample.
Mid cherry. Red cherry and raspberries on the nose. On the palate, rich red fruit and a whole spoonful of savoury goodness. Great precision and clarity. (MH)