Monthelie Les Gamets, Domaine Franck Lamargue 2020

The small appellation of Monthelie has a long wine making history and is bordered by Volnay to the east, Meusault to the south and Auxey-Duresses to the west. This wine comes from the lieu-dit vineyard of Les Gamets in the south-west corner of the appellation bordering Auxey-Duresses. This is really pretty and enjoyable wine with a bright, perfumed nose of violets and ripe red fruits that lead onto a soft and juicy palate with those pure, fresh strawberry and red cherry flavours coming through joined by a bit of grip from the tannin and spice, and balanced acidity.

Drinking well now though will have a capacity to age. Try with roast lamb, duck, mushroom based dishes, or meatier fish like salmon and seared tuna.

Sitting in the village of La Rochepot, just a few kilometres south of Beaune, Franck Lamargue has been running his small domaine since 2005 after leaving a cooperative to start on his own. With about 12 hectares of vines, he has parcels in several southern Côte de Beaune appellations, particularly in Maranges and Monthélie. His winery, housed in the former village tile factory, boasts vaulted cellars where the wines mature. Franck is a fastidious vigneron, and his wines are characterised by their generosity of flavour, offering great value for money. A quietly impressive operation.