JEAN-JACQUES GIRARD Beaune 1er Cru 'Clos du Roi' 2019 Bottle

Description

Jean-Jacques Girard is a producer with deep roots in Savigny-lès-Beaune, and this 2019 Clos du Roi is a stunning example of a premier cru from one of the most prestigious sites in the Beaune appellation. The 2019 vintage was exceptional, providing wines with a beautiful balance of richness and freshness.

In the glass, it shows a deep ruby colour. The nose is wonderfully aromatic, offering layers of dark cherries, raspberries, and a hint of forest floor, underpinned by subtle notes of spice from its time in French oak. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and structured with silky tannins that provide a velvety texture. There is a refined elegance to the fruit, leading into a long and persistent finish. It is a sophisticated and highly accomplished red that captures the classic character of Beaune perfectly.

Suggested drinking window 2024 to 2034. Serve at 14 to 16°C and decant if drinking early in the window. Food pairings include roast poussin with thyme and lemon, beef bourguignon, pan-seared duck breast with a cherry jus, wild mushroom risotto with shaved comté, or a board of cured meats and aged cheeses. Overall this Clos du Roi 2019 combines Beaune charm with firm structure and will reward both immediate enjoyment and modest cellaring.

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5 points
Drink: 2024 - 2030
Luscious and gentle. Complete and already fun to drink – Lots still to chew on.

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ABOUT JEAN-JACQUES GIRARD
Jean-Jacques Girard is a small Burgundy vigneron known for producing terroir-expressive wines with a clear focus on site specificity and artisanal cellarcraft. The domaine is family-run and works modest, carefully tended holdings that typically include both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir across village and sometimes premier cru parcels. Vine age and low yields are priorities to concentrate flavour and texture.

Viticulture at Girard emphasises attentive canopy management, green harvesting when necessary and selective hand harvesting to ensure optimal ripeness and sanitary fruit. The team favours minimal intervention in the vineyard to promote healthy soils and balanced vines; many growers of this profile adopt organic or low-input practices, and Girard’s approach is equally respectful of natural balance even if certifications vary by vintage or parcel.

Winemaking is precise and restrained with a parcel by parcel philosophy. Grapes are gently handled and carefully sorted. Whites are typically whole-cluster pressed with fermentation in barrel or neutral vessels, followed by extended élevage on the fine lees to build depth and mouthfeel while preserving primary aromatics. Oak use is measured and chosen to support texture rather than impart overt toast. Red winemaking focuses on gentle extraction, careful temperature control and the selective use of whole bunches depending on vintage character; maturation in French oak is tailored to each cuvée.

Stylistically Jean-Jacques Girard’s whites tend to show a blend of citrus and stone fruit with floral lift, saline minerality and a rounded but energetic mid-palate that responds well to ageing. Pinots show red and dark fruit, floral notes and fine, supple tannins with underlying mineral and savoury threads. Overall the wines aim for clarity, balance and longevity.