Domaine Julien Cruchandeau Ladoix Les Ranches, Cote de Beaune, France 2022

Julien Cruchandeau, a passionate and successful former musician, has been in tune with his vineyards in the tiny village of Chaux in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits above Nuits-Saint-Georges since 2003. A pioneer in Bouzeron, when Julien first purchased vineyards in the appellation, he wanted to plant the best quality vines. Aubert De Villaine, willing to promote Bouzeron further and help the next generation of producers, offered Julien plantings from his massale selection. Named in his honor as “Massale,” Julien's Bouzeron is a shining example of the appellation. In 2007, he purchased a home that also contained a large cellar and beautiful vat room. In an area of Burgundy once considered for high volume and lower quality, Julien creates wines of depth and dimension.

His natural practices and hands-off style create truly impressive Burgundy Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that offer tremendous value; aromatic, bright, fresh, and pretty, with a clearly expressed sense of place.

Tasting notes: Nose dominated by ripe red fruit, blackcurrant, cherry, a complex, structured palate with a slightly toasty finish.

Les Ranches means “spiky thorny bushes” in old French. Located at the northern end of the Côtes de Nuits, below the 1er Cru La Micaude, and planted in 1974.