2023 Hautes-Côtes de Beaune

Domaine de Mandelot continues to fly a little under the radar, but not for long. We first heard about François Grangé through Maï Roblin Bazin and were allowed a visit without actually knowing what we should expect. Sometimes, however, you just have to go for it and honestly, we ended up getting our socks blown off. It was François’ extremely dedicated and labour-intensive vineyard work combined with an almost fearless approach in the cellar that impressed us the most. In the vineyard, he relies on his many years of experience with organic cultivation and horse ploughing, and his first vintage is made completely without additions during vinification.

Domaine de Mandelot belongs in a beautiful old château in the small village of Mandelot in the heart of the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, but François works his 10 hectares of vineyards as if they were Grand Cru. He uses all the knowledge that he has accumulated during the 15 years that he has been responsible for the vineyards at Chandon de Briailles.

François chose to sell his grapes in 2022, making 2023 the very first vintage from Domaine de Mandelot. The wines were the biggest surprise of the year for us when we tasted them in his cellar in the spring of 2024. They are made with great precision and depth combined with a lightness where you constantly want to take another sip.