Chantal Lescure 2022 Cote de Beaune "Clos des Topes Bizot" Rouge

From vines planted in 1960,  high on the slope in Beaune just above the 1er Cru L'Ecu, facing east, in a terroir of clay and pebbles over limestone. (The name refers to "toppe" meaning field or fallow land before planting vines, Bizot is a common family name in Burgundy) The grapes from this high elevation vineyard are harvested late and undergo a short pre-fermentation maceration, aging is in two and three year-old 500 liter barrels. The 2022 shows ripe, floral aromas of black cherry and red currant fruit with violet, brown spice, earth and citrus, quite elegant. The palate is dense and earthy with sappy black cherry and black raspberry fruit, a bit softer and more forward than the "Verduns" with earth and black fruits that linger in the long finish. This is a quite elegant, beautifully balanced Burgundy at a very reasonable price - it's delicious now but will benefit from a few hours open or a few years of cellaring.  David Lillie