Le Grappin's second Hautes Cotes de Beaune lieu-dit wine, Aux Grandes Raies, is produced from a distinct parcel within the same elevated hillside appellation that provides the Derriere Baubigny cuvee. Where single lieu-dit naming is unusual in the Hautes Cotes de Beaune, Andrew Nielsen's approach to parcel specificity reflects his conviction that meaningful terroir distinction exists within this appellation and that naming the source is a matter of honesty toward the buyer. Both wines demonstrate that the Hautes Cotes is not stylistically uniform.

Aux Grandes Raies describes a parcel with larger and more pronounced soil striations, a topographic name that often points to soils with greater variation and depth than the surrounding terrain. In the Hautes Cotes de Beaune, where limestone and marl over chalk underpin most sites, small variations in soil depth, aspect and drainage can produce meaningfully different character in the resulting wines. The 2023 vintage provided the warmth for full phenolic ripeness even at these elevations, while the altitude preserved the freshness and acidity that make Hautes Cotes wines distinctive.

The pairing of two Hautes Cotes de Beaune lieux-dits from Le Grappin in the same vintage is instructive for buyers interested in understanding parcel variation within this appellation. Tasted alongside the Derriere Baubigny, the Aux Grandes Raies demonstrates how named sites within the same broad appellation can express distinctly different character under the same producer's hands and the same vintage conditions.

Drink now through 2028. Pair with grilled salmon, chicken with herbs or light pork preparations. Serve at 15 degrees Celsius.

Clear ruby with a bright edge. The nose shows fresh red cherry, raspberry leaf, herbal notes and a fine mineral underpinning. The palate is elegant and light-to-medium bodied with fine, polished tannins, vibrant acidity and a clean, refreshing finish with pleasant mineral tension. A direct and characterful regional Pinot Noir.