2017 Thierry Richoux Irancy Burgundy, France

Richoux’s finest and best-exposed parcels are used to make his Irancy Rouge. In top years, he also makes two single-vineyard Irancy: one from the gradually sloping and clay centric “Cailles” vineyard, and the scond from a vineyard called Vaupessiot with older vines and a full south-facing exposition overlooking the Yonne River. At harvest, everything is picked by hand with careful sorting of all grapes in the vineyard and in the cellar. Richoux employs two sorting tables in order to remove any inadequate bunches. In the cellar, the grapes are de-stemmed 100%, and then fermented with indigenous yeasts in tank. Richoux also believes in a long lvage for his wines, so they spend their first year in tank, and then a full second year in large foudres. This helps to harmonize the wines while maintaining the purity and transparency of this unique terroir.