Chanson : Santenay 1er cru "Beauregard" Domaine 2020

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Santenay 1er cru "Beauregard" Domaine 2020 from Chanson

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a bright ruby-red hue with luminous highlights.

Nose

The nose opens on a fresh, delicate bouquet of ripe red fruits, notably redcurrant and cherry. Floral notes of violet are joined by subtle touches of licorice and vanilla, along with hints of white strawberry that lend lovely aromatic freshness.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is generous and well structured. Vibrant red fruits—especially cherry and plum—envelop the palate with energy. A taut minerality, stemming from the very stony clay-limestone soils of the climat Beauregard, underpins the whole with elegance. Silky, refined tannins bring depth without harshness. The finish lingers harmoniously with notes of ripe red fruits, licorice and sweet spices, carried by a fine mineral tension.

Food and wine pairings

This Santenay 1er cru "Beauregard" Domaine Chanson 2020 is a perfect match for roasted and braised meats, especially poultry. It also pairs beautifully with game such as venison, beef in a light sauce, veal, and well-aged cheeses with moderate intensity.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this Santenay 1er cru "Beauregard" Domaine Chanson 2020 between 16 and 17°C to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity.

A Santenay Premier Cru combining minerality and Burgundian elegance

The estate

Founded in 1750 in Beaune, Domaine Chanson is among the oldest Burgundy houses still in operation. Owned by the Bollinger group since 1999, it relies on nearly 88–90 ha, including 43 historic ha in Côte de Beaune, certified organic since 2024, and 45 ha acquired in 2023 in Côte Chalonnaise (Mercurey, Rully). Since 2025, Thierry Berger has served as Managing Director.

The vineyard

The climat Beauregard is one of the most renowned Premiers Crus in Santenay, the southernmost commune of the Côte de Beaune. Domaine Chanson owns 1.1 hectares here, spread across two altitude levels at the top of the hillside. The parcels enjoy an ideal south-eastern exposure and rest on extremely stony clay-limestone soils, with a shallow layer of topsoil directly over limestone. This distinctive composition gives the wines a marked minerality and characteristic tension.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy stands out for its exceptional earliness and warm conditions. A mild winter and early spring were followed by a hot, dry summer, punctuated by heatwaves and intermittent storms. Harvest began on August 23, 2020 at Domaine Chanson, a historically early date. Despite the heat, the clay-limestone soils of Beauregard withstood water stress thanks to the water-retention capacity of the clay. Winter and spring rainfall had replenished water reserves, allowing the vines to maintain optimal balance. The vintage produced concentrated wines while preserving freshness and classic structure.

Winemaking and aging

For this Santenay 1er cru "Beauregard" Domaine Chanson 2020, the grapes were hand-harvested and sorted parcel by parcel. They were fully destemmed to manage the concentration and tannic power of the warm vintage. An extended cold soak preceded fermentation to extract primary aromatic compounds and develop floral complexity. Malolactic fermentation took place in barrels on fine lees without bâtonnage, preserving natural acidity and delicate aromas. Aging lasted around 19 months in French oak barrels, with only 25% new oak, favoring the expression of terroir over oak influence.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir