Bruno Colin Santenay Vieilles Vignes 2012

Old-vine fruit can be gnarly, but not Bruno Colin's. Its smooth texture is peppered with gentle hints of graphite, lending a minerality and typicity that wine lovers adore in this cru.

Pinot Noir. Michel Colin was the third generation in his family to grow grapes in Burgundy within the prestigious Cote de Beaune. When he retired in 2003, he handed the property over to his sons, Philippe and Bruno, who split the holdings between them to bottle under separate labels. With the help of his wife, Stephanie, Bruno farms about 20 acres of land, in thirty different parcels scattered over five villages, with sometimes as little as just a few rows per parcel. To farm under these circumstances is quintessentially Burgundian, where the old Napoleonic codes of inheritance (evolved from Roman law) divide property equally among offspring. Parcels farmed by any one family continue to get smaller and smaller as they are distributed among relatives. Bruno vinifies 19 cuvees separately in the old family winery in the center of the Chassagne-Montrachet village. His style shows beautiful balance, both aromatically and texturally, while showcasing the delicate minerality and nuanced complexity of each vineyard.