Notes:

Producer: Domaine Gaston & Pierre Ravaut is a family estate based in Ladoix-Serrigny, at the northern end of the Côte de Beaune and directly beneath the hill of Corton. The Ravaut family has been established here for five generations, with the domaine today farming approximately 12 hectares across Ladoix and neighboring appellations. Vincent Ravaut has directed the estate since 2016, with his son Jules now working alongside him. Their holdings give the family access to an unusually broad cross-section of this part of Burgundy, ranging from regional and village wines through several Ladoix Premier Crus and the Corton Grand Cru vineyards of Bressandes and Hautes Mourottes. The reds are made in a traditional style centered on hand harvesting, complete destemming, concrete-vat fermentation, measured extraction, and maturation in French oak. The estate describes its vineyard work for this period as sustainable agriculture; its move into certified organic production came later.
Vineyard: Les Carrières is a named village-level lieu-dit rather than a Premier Cru, but its position and geology make it particularly interesting. Ravaut farms 0.42 hectares here at approximately 270 meters elevation, on the northern side of the Corton hill with an easterly exposure. As its name suggests, the vineyard is planted over former quarry land. The domaine identifies a deep limestone-rich subsoil beneath surface layers of clay and marl, a combination that provides Pinot Noir with both water-retaining clay and a strongly calcareous foundation. This is a useful distinction from treating Les Carrières as simply another village Ladoix: it is a small, individually bottled site whose character is tied closely to the geology of the Corton hillside. The warm, sunny 2022 Burgundy vintage provided excellent ripeness, and here that generosity is balanced by the site's freshness and mineral structure. The finished wine combines ripe red-fruit character with supple tannins and enough acidity to keep the profile lively.
Winemaking: The wine is produced from 100% Pinot Noir, harvested entirely by hand and fully destemmed before fermentation. Ravaut begins with a three-day cold pre-fermentation maceration, followed by alcoholic fermentation in concrete vats for approximately 15–20 days, with temperatures ranging from roughly 25°C to 34°C. Extraction is deliberately controlled, using light pigeage rather than aggressive handling of the cap. The wine then spends 12 months in French oak barrels with only 15% new oak, enough new wood to contribute structure without making oak the dominant feature. Malolactic fermentation is completed during élevage. After barrel maturation, the lots are racked and assembled in stainless steel during winter on their fine lees before filtration and bottling. It is a fairly classical approach to red Burgundy: destemmed Pinot Noir, concrete fermentation, restrained extraction, and modest new oak.
Technical Details: Ladoix AOC; Les Carrières lieu-dit; 2022 vintage; 100% Pinot Noir; 0.42-hectare estate parcel; approximately 270 meters elevation; east-facing vineyard on the northern side of the Corton hill; former quarry site; clay and marl surface soils over limestone-rich subsoil; hand harvested; 100% destemmed; three-day cold maceration; alcoholic fermentation in concrete for approximately 15–20 days; gentle pigeage; malolactic fermentation; 12 months in French oak with 15% new barrels; final assembly in stainless steel on fine lees; filtered before bottling; 13.5% ABV; 750ml bottle; recommended serving temperature approximately 16°C.
Food Pairing: Duck breast, roast chicken, coq au vin, pork tenderloin, veal chops, beef bourguignon, grilled lamb chops, mushroom tart, lentils with sausage, jambon persillé, roast guinea fowl, Époisses, Cîteaux, and Comté. The wine's red-fruit profile, fresh acidity, and fine tannins make it particularly versatile with poultry and pork, while its structure and restrained oak can comfortably handle richer Burgundian preparations and roasted meats.