Our tasting impressions
We were blown away by Guillaume's 2022's. Perhaps none impressed us more - while tasting his complete range in his cellar - than the Beaune Sizies (and, it had only been bottled for 6 weeks). The fabulous aromatics are so deep that it was hard to stop sniffing long enough to taste it. But are we glad that we did! It's not just crazy delicious Pinot, it's also riveting. Notable for how wonderful it is to drink young due to incredibly smooth and elegant tannins. (that will support cellaring as well).The Guru has tasted more of this cuvée than any other Guiton cuvée - back to 2005 - and the 2022 is the greatest young Sizies he's tasted. Bravo!
About this wine
Les Sizies is an 8.5 ha 1er cru Pinot Noir vineyard on somewhat flat ground. Guiton has a small southeast-facing plot (see photo above). The soil is a mixture of limestone and red clay. The vines were planted in 1943. Harvesting is by hand.
Fermentation takes 20 days with cold maceration, including pigéage (punching down the cap). The wine ages in oak barrels (20% new) for 18 months. A light filtration is done before bottling if necessary. About 2,100 bottles are produced annually.
About the grape
Pinot Noir is an ancient grape from eastern France. Notoriously challenging, it thrives in cooler climates. The concept of terroir is most closely identified with Burgundy because the lightness of Pinot Noir enables it to so transparently express minor differences (which is why experienced tasters can discern the difference in wines produced from vineyards in very close proximity). Intense popularity resulted in plantings all over the world but most agree that its finest expression is in Burgundy's Côte d’Or.
About the vintage
The Burgundians (and/or maybe their vineyards) really seem to be figuring out this global warming business. 2022 was the second hottest year on record and was abundantly sunny during the growing season. The vintage was prolific - offering an abundance of ripe and well-balanced fruit. It can be deemed a neo-classic vintage.
On your table
The options for fine red Burgundy may be infinte. Try it with slow roasted pork shoulder. The savory-sweetness of each married nicely. Serve at cool cellar temperature in a balloon-style, large glass.
Guillaume Guiton is a fiercely dedicated and extraordinary vigneron and a super nice guy. In the grand scheme of Burgundy, his vineyards would be considered modest...his wines, we consider, anything but.
He has been running this 11.5 hectare Domaine since 2002. His father Jean started it in 1973. Very much a hybrid estate, Guillaume owns 4ha, rents the rest and even buys grapes in his pursuit of the best he can get. He produces about 50,000 bottles per year.
He is a devoted terroirista, who welcomes the opportunity not to intervene in what nature offers. His methods vary based on vintage circumstances but he usually de-stems his red grapes and mostly avoids fining and filtration.
Guillaume is an intense student of barrels. He raises many wines in a variety of barrels before blending, only uses them for 6 years and never employs more than 20% new oak.
