Beaune Premier Cru 'Clos du Roi', Domaine Tollot-Beaut 2023

The Clos du Roi from Domaine Tollot-Beaut comes from one of the most respected Premier Cru vineyards in Beaune, located on the northern side of the appellation on gently sloping, limestone-rich soils. Clos du Roi has a reputation for producing structured, mineral-driven Pinot Noir with more backbone than many Beaune sites, combining ripe fruit with firm tannins and good ageing potential. Domaine Tollot-Beaut farms several parcels here, with vines planted in the late 1970s and 1980s. The site’s brown limestone soils and elevated position help give the wines both intensity and freshness, while élevage in Burgundian barrels (with a proportion of new oak) adds texture and subtle spice without overwhelming the fruit. The 2023 vintage in Burgundy followed a relatively balanced growing season with alternating warm and cool periods. Harvest came in early September after a late heatwave accelerated ripening, producing wines with expressive fruit, good colour and appealing freshness when picking dates were carefully judged.