Wine Advisor
Jean-Marc Vincent, Santenay Les Vignes Denses 2023
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2023 Santenay Les Vignes Denses comes from young six- or seven-year-old vines planted at 14,000 and 15,000 per hectare. It has notes of lime flower and beeswax unfolding on the nose, with just a touch of orange blossom. The palate is well balanced and very subtle in style, with a crisp line of acidity, touches of apricot and white peach and a precise, lightly spiced finish. This is delightful.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Like Les Potets, the 2023 Santenay Les Vignes Denses also performs at a very high level this year. Unwinding in the glass with notes of pear, peach, white flowers and freshly baked bread, it's medium- to full-bodied, satiny and suave, with bright acids, lovely purity of fruit and a long, sapid finish.
About the Producer
Anne-Marie and Jean-Marc Vincent inherited most of their vines, principally located in and around the village of Santenay in the southern Côte de Beaune, from Jean-Marc’s grandfather, André Bardollet-Bravard. They produce three premier cru reds and two premier cru whites from Santenay, in addition to a red and a white Auxey-Duresses. The Vincent wines are characterized by rich, layered fruit, intense expression of individual terroir, and solid structure. Their Auxey-Duresses Blanc “Les Hautés,” which thankfully happens to be their highest production wine (that is, more than two barrels produced), is a gem and a role model for other producers of the appellation. This is the wine that first attracted Kermit to the domaine. “I had rarely had an Auxey-Duresses that excited my taste buds,” he said, “I knew I was on to something.” And indeed it reaches the heights of many a white Burgundy with a greater pedigree. It also evolves well in one’s cellar. The Vincents’ wine operation is a family affair and A-M and J-M split their time between the vineyards, cellars and their young children. Their miniscule production always sells out quickly to a small group of devoted clients. All of their wines are a testament to the importance of vigneron talent in a given appellation. While a great vigneron can make over-achievers from any appellation, a great appellation will never be great in the hands of mediocrity.
