DOMAINE FELETTIG Beaune 1er Cru 'Les Champs-Pimonts' 2023 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Domaine Felettig Beaune 1er Cru Les Champs Pimonts embodies clay-limestone elegance: a clear garnet with an orange hue at the rim, showcasing floral red cherry, wild strawberry, and raspberry coulis over a savoury undercurrent of forest floor and dried porcini. Gentle extraction and careful use of French oak impart vanilla pod and soft cinnamon while preserving its aromatic profile. Silky yet structured on the palate, bright cranberry fruit transitions to earthy beetroot and mushroom, framed by fine tannins and lively acidity. A saline mineral finish, with hints of leather and clove, develops with age. Drink from 2026 to 2036 alongside roast duck, mushroom risotto, or aged Comté. Critic: Dunell’s 94 (“refined”). An elegant, food-friendly wine that rewards gentle cellaring.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine Felettig Beaune Premier Cru Les Champs Pimonts is sourced from clay and limestone soils that create a harmonious interplay of fruit and savoury energy. The cuvée is Pinot Noir dominant and crafted with gentle extraction and meticulous élevage in French oak to preserve its primary perfume while developing fine tannins. In a good year, expect concentrated berries that balance sweetness and acidity, resulting in a wine that is both expressive when young and rewarding with some bottle age.

The wine pours as a clear garnet, showing a touch of orange at the rim when mature. The nose is floral and immediate, presenting red cherry, wild strawberry, and a hint of raspberry coulis. Beneath the fruit lies a savoury undercurrent of forest floor, dried porcini, and a faint note of smoked bacon. The oak influence is measured, providing vanilla pod and a gentle warmth of cinnamon rather than overt toast. With time, the aromatic profile expands to reveal leather, dried cranberry, and clove, indicating elegant tertiary development.

On the palate, the texture is silky yet structured. Bright red fruit leads, followed by a mid-palate seam of earthy beetroot and mushroom that introduces significant savoury interest. The tannins are fine-grained and supportive rather than aggressive, framing the fruit and leading to a saline mineral finish. The acidity is lively enough to keep the wine fresh and food-friendly. As the bottle ages, the fruit recedes slightly, allowing for the emergence of tobacco, sous-bois, and dried herb notes, while the overall architecture remains poised.

Suggested drinking window: 2026 to 2036. Serve at cellar temperature with dishes that reflect its finesse and savoury character. Food pairings include roast duck with a cherry reduction, pan-seared wild mushroom risotto, slow-braised beef cheeks, aged Comté, or a savoury onion tart with melted Gruyère. For a simpler option, consider chargrilled pork chops with thyme and roasted beets or smoked duck salad with bitter leaves and toasted hazelnuts.

DUNELL'S 94 points
A refined Beaune Premier Cru presenting clear garnet with an orange rim. Floral and immediate on the nose—featuring red cherry, wild strawberry, and a hint of raspberry coulis—underneath which lies a savoury thread of forest floor, dried porcini, and a faint note of smoked bacon. The oak influence is discreet, offering vanilla pod and soft cinnamon instead of overt toast; with time, leather, dried cranberry, and clove emerge.

Silky yet structured on the palate: bright red fruit at the forefront gives way to an earthy mid-palate of beetroot and mushroom, adding serious savoury interest. Fine-grained tannins provide support without overwhelming, framed by lively acidity, finishing on a saline mineral note. Poised between primary charm and elegant tertiary development—food-friendly now but rewarding careful cellaring. Best from 2026 to 2036.

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ABOUT DOMAINE FELETTIG
Domaine Felettig is a family-run winery located in the village of Mittelbergheim in Alsace, renowned for producing expressive, terroir-driven wines that reflect the diverse limestone and marl soils of the region. The estate spans several small plots across prime village sites and employs attentive viticulture to highlight the distinct character of each parcel. Vines are cultivated with classic Alsace varieties, including Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat, alongside smaller holdings of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.

The domaine is owned and managed by the Felettig family, who have tended these vineyards for generations. The current management emphasises a balance between tradition and careful modernisation. Vineyard practices focus on canopy management, yield control, and selective hand harvesting to preserve freshness and achieve optimal ripeness. The family has invested in soil health and sustainable practices, with many parcels farmed using reduced chemical inputs and techniques that foster biodiversity.

Winemaking at Domaine Felettig aims to express varietal purity and site specificity. Grapes are typically hand-harvested, gently pressed, and vinified with careful temperature control to maintain aromatic clarity. Fermentations utilise native or selected yeasts, depending on the cuvée, and are monitored to ensure a balance between fruit and acidity. Lees ageing and judicious use of neutral oak or large-format vessels add texture where necessary while avoiding an overt wood influence. The cellar team practices parcel-by-parcel vinification, allowing for precise blending that captures the character of each vintage.

The domaine produces a broad range of wines, from fresh, dry whites to richer late harvest bottlings. Their dry Rieslings are noted for their crisp citrus and mineral drive coupled with a precise saline finish. Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris frequently exhibit aromatic depth and ripe stone fruit while retaining a sense of lift. For sweet wine enthusiasts, the estate crafts Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles in suitable years, showcasing botrytis-influenced honeyed complexity balanced by lively acidity.

Overall, Domaine Felettig offers a true expression of Alsace, where careful vineyard management, family continuity, and precise cellar practices combine to produce wines that are both immediately enjoyable and worthy of ageing.