Fixin: the 2018 vintage

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Burgundy, a land of renowned wines, is known the world over for its Romanée-Conti, Corton-Charlemagne and Meursault. But a lesser-known Côte de Nuits appellation deserves to be discovered: Fixin.

A confidential appellation

The 102-hectare Fixin appellation (recognized as an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée since 1936, pronounced [fissin]) extends over 3,100 hectares of the Côte de Nuits between Dijon and the village of Ladoix. No Grand Cru exists in this appellation, but excellent Premiers Crus and Fixin Village are produced from 95% Pinot Noir and 5% Chardonnay. Six climats produce Premiers Crus: Clos de la Perrière (the most famous, planted in the 12th century by the monks of Citeaux), Clos du Chapitre, Clos Napoléon, Les Meix Bas, Hervelets and Arvelets. These climats are established on the highest plots in the appellation, at an altitude of 300 meters. The entire appellation is planted on limestone and marl, typical of Côte de Nuits soils.

Fixin appellation wines

The majority of wines produced in the appellation are red (as in most of the Côte de Nuits, unlike the Côte de Beaune), and very few white wines are made from Chardonnay. The wines of this appellation are intense, with good ageing potential, allowing the tannins to soften: they are known as “winter wines”. When ripe, they release fruity aromas (blackcurrant, morello cherry, quince), floral (violet, peony) and musky, even peppery. These are delicately textured wines, with a round attack and a solid structure. The white wines reveal mineral and exotic fruit notes, and are exquisite with Burgundy snails.

The 2018 vintage

Considered by professionals to be an exceptional vintage, the 2018 vintage will reach maturity in 2022 and is ready to be tasted. The year 2018 was marked by a wet spring, followed by a very dry and hot summer, beneficial to vine growth. On the whole, the vineyards were spared the elements (despite a few hail storms in mid-July), resulting in remarkable quality and quantity. Following in the footsteps of the 2015 vintage, Fixin 2018 reds are rich, concentrated and fleshy.

The garnet-red Premiers Crus have aromas of black cherry, red flowers and wild strawberries. The palate is full-bodied, with great finesse and silky tannins, and notes of liquorice and juniper berries. Perfect with beef bourguignon or navarin lamb. Receiving an exceptional 97/100 rating at the Decanter competition, Domaine Albert Bichot’s Clos de la Perrière 2018, for example, pairs wonderfully with a Brillat-Savarin, a Burgundian cheese.

The Villages are ruby-red in color, with a delicate, discreet nose (hints of undergrowth) and a full-bodied, robust palate. The long, slightly spicy finish makes Fixin Villages 2018 an ideal accompaniment to couscous or Époisses, another Burgundian cheese.

Photo : Adobe Stock – Nawar