Le Grappin is the Burgundy negociant project of British winemaker Andrew Nielsen, who has sourced fruit from small family domaines across the Maconnais and Cote d'Or since 2011. The project operates with a rigorous selection philosophy: individual lieu-dits from farming families who work their land carefully, vinified with minimal intervention and released at prices that reflect the regional appellation rather than the producer name. Derriere Baubigny is a named parcel in the Hautes Cotes de Beaune, a hillside appellation extending west above the Cote de Beaune escarpment.

Derriere Baubigny is situated in the elevated terrain of the Hautes Cotes de Beaune, behind the village of Baubigny, at altitudes where the growing season is notably longer and cooler than on the Cote below. Pinot Noir from these upper slopes produces wines of lighter body and more pronounced red-fruit freshness than the richer, fuller expressions of village-level Volnay or Meursault Rouge. The 2023 Burgundy vintage was warm and generous across the Cote, but at the higher elevations of the Hautes Cotes the conditions delivered wines of natural freshness and attractive fruit without excessive weight.

Le Grappin's single-parcel approach within the appellation demonstrates that the Hautes Cotes de Beaune is not a uniform source of generic Burgundy but contains specific sites of distinct terroir character. For buyers seeking an intelligent, transparent small-production Pinot Noir from the broader Cote de Beaune catchment at a sensible price, Andrew Nielsen's rigorous sourcing provides a reliable guarantee of farming quality and honest winemaking.

Drink now through 2028. An ideal companion for roast chicken, light game or mushroom pasta. Serve at 15 degrees Celsius.

Bright ruby with a translucent edge. The nose shows fresh red cherry, raspberry, dried violet and a mineral note from the limestone-chalk hillside terrain. The palate is light-to-medium bodied with fine tannins, lively acidity and a clean, persistent red-fruit finish. Honest and enjoyable Pinot Noir for immediate pleasure.