Returning Favorites to Chambers Street: 2022's from Petit-Roy!
10/7/24 -
Many of you might already know and love the wines of Seiichi Saito. He is the man behind the exciting micro-négoce that is Petit-Roy. Here at Chambers St. Wines, we have been singing his praises for years and today I am excited to welcome in a few of our favorite bottlings from 2022!
Seiichi moved to Beaune from Japan in 2006 to study viticulture. After school he remained in Beaune and continued to work with some of the best domaines throughout the Cote d’Or including Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, Domaine Lefalive, Armand Rousseau and Simon Bize. As we all know, buying land in Burgundy is no easy feat, but over the years Seiichi has acquired 2 hectares that he farms biodynamically, which he complements with grapes he purchases from friends.
Although I have not been able to go and visit him yet, my predecessor Sam Ehrlich has, and he describes both Seiichi and his wines as, “buoyant and good-natured but with real depth of material and intention.” Year after year the wines from Petit-Roy are full of energy and drive, and they continue to get even better with each new release! Quantities are somewhat limited here so get them while you can!
See below for additional technical information regarding each wine. -Hanna Krilov
Seiichi Saito (Photo: Michel Joly for Becky Wasserman Selections)
2022 Petit-Roy Altesse
This special bottling comes from Seiichi’s love for the Altesse. He considers himself to be a ambassador of grape and has been experimenting with treating it like Burgundy when it comes to vinification and aging. He makes this wine in Bugey, but the grapes themselves come from a small appellation called Montagnieu that is very steep and creates exceptional wines. The vines are farmed organically and after harvest are pressed before settling for 12 hours at controlled temperatures. There is a 60-day ambient yeast fermentation, then the wine is aged 12-15 months in used barrels with an additional 3-5 months in tank before bottling. There is no fining or filtering and for this vintage, and no added SO2.
2022 Petit-Roy Pernand-Vergelesses "Les Combottes"
A very small 0.17 hectare plot that is on a south-west facing hillside, it’s a perfectly cool spot allowing for great, even ripeness and freshness. After pressing the wine has a 60-day ambient yeast fermentation and is then aged for 12 months in used barrels and an added 3 months in tank before bottling.
2022 Petit-Roy Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune "Ronsin"
The plot Les Ronsins is within Nantoux in the Haute Cotes. It is higher on the slope, southwest facing and has limited sunshine exposure. Seiichi biodynamically farms this plot. The wine is made 100% whole cluster with minimal SO2, there is a 3-day cold maceration before semi-carbonic maceration and ambient yeast fermentation, Seiichi additionally does some gentle punch-downs at the end of fermentation. The wine is aged for 12 months in used barrels before an additional 3 months in tank before bottling.
2022 Petit-Roy Savigny-lès-Beaune
A blend from three parcels in Savigny. The wine is made 100% whole cluster with minimal SO2, there is a 3-day cold maceration before semi-carbonic maceration and ambient yeast fermentation, Seiichi additionally does some gentle punch-downs at the end of fermentation. The wine is aged for 12 months in used barrels before an additional 5 months in tank before bottling.
