2022 Côtes de Nuits-Villages

It finally happened! After four years of waiting and many good times in the company of the man himself, we have now received an allocation to Denmark from Arnaud Lopez. Arnaud (“Arno” among friends) is no newcomer in the world of wine, but rather an experienced man with an impressive CV and a huge talent for producing wines that show Burgundy from its most beautiful side.

He was born and raised in Nuits-Saint-Georges and has been in and around the vineyards and wine cellars of friends and family since his childhood. He has worked 15 years for Domaine Pieuré Roch, until he started to focus 100% on Maison Pinot Noar (an anagram for Arno) in 2022. The debut vintage for Arnaud was in fact 2018, but the quantities were so extremely small in the first vintages that they were only sold to very few people.

Though larger in 2022, the quantities are still far too small compared to the demand, but for Arnaud this is perfect. He has his own cellar in Nuits-Saint-Georges and a production that is small enough that he can make everything himself without compromising, yet big enough to make a living from it.

The grapes come from farmers who share Arnaud’s perfectionist approach in the vineyard and are in most cases close friends, who Arnaud helps with the vineyard work throughout the year. In the cellar, the many years at Prieuré Roch are easily recognizable: Whole bunch fermentation with long macerations and zero additions paired with a great sensitivity for exactly where each individual wine is in its life cycle. Ageing primarily takes place in used barriques, but a few small amphorae are also found in the cellar.

The style is comparable to burgundies from the very best: Deep, concentrated and with an almost explosive whole-cluster aroma and trembling intensity. The wines offer an enormous complexity and are at the same time so incredibly easy to drink. So much so that we really just want to drink it all ourselves, but that’s not what we’re here for.