Clos Frantin Nuits-Saint Georges 2018 Øko

Clos Frantin Nuits‑Saint‑Georges 2018 Øko is a certified organic Pinot Noir that captures the darker, more structured side of Burgundy from one of the Côte de Nuits’ most respected houses. This cuvée offers serious depth and typicity, yet remains beautifully approachable in its youth. Crafted by Domaine du Clos Frantin under the umbrella of Maison Albert Bichot, it bridges traditional savoir‑faire with contemporary, terroir‑driven precision. Its key distinction lies in the combination of organically farmed vineyards and meticulous, small‑scale winemaking in the heart of Nuits‑Saint‑Georges. Low yields, strict selection, and gravity‑flow handling emphasize purity of fruit and a clear expression of place. The Clos Frantin estate, owned by Bichot since 1967, has long been a benchmark for Côte de Nuits quality, with a high proportion of Premier and Grand Cru holdings reinforcing its historical significance in Burgundy.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Clos Frantin Nuits‑Saint‑Georges Øko shows a deep, vibrant ruby colour with garnet reflections at the rim, signalling both concentration and youthful energy. It is limpid and bright, with slow, fine legs that hint at good extract and structure. The nose opens with pure red and black cherry, wild strawberry, and ripe raspberry, layered with notes of violets, peony, and a subtle forest‑floor character. With air, more savoury nuances emerge: sweet spice (clove, cinnamon, nutmeg), black tea, a touch of liquorice, and a refined oak signature of vanilla and toasted cocoa from barrel aging. There is a distinct mineral undertone typical of Nuits‑Saint‑Georges, giving a cool, stony edge beneath the fruit. On the palate, this is a medium‑bodied yet firmly structured Pinot Noir, with a silky attack that quickly builds into a more vertical, chiselled profile. Juicy red and dark berries—cherry, cranberry, blackberry—are framed by finely grained tannins and a fresh, well‑integrated acidity. The mid‑palate is dense without heaviness, revealing layers of spice, dried herbs, and a faint smoky note from the élevage. The finish is long and persistent, carried by red fruit and mineral tension, leaving a savoury, almost saline impression. The 2018 vintage offers generous fruit and early charm, but the underlying structure suggests very good aging potential. This wine can be enjoyed now with a bit of aeration for its youthful vibrancy, but it will gain complexity and tertiary nuances—truffle, undergrowth, dried flowers—over 8–12 years from vintage, and potentially longer in optimal cellaring conditions.

Production
Domaine du Clos Frantin’s holdings for this Nuits‑Saint‑Georges come from the Côte de Nuits, where limestone and marl soils, mixed with patches of clay and pebbles, provide the classic Burgundian matrix for Pinot Noir. The terroir here tends to give wines of depth and structure, often more muscular than neighbouring appellations, with a distinct mineral backbone. The estate is farmed organically, with chemical growth stimulants eliminated in favour of natural manures and sustainable vineyard practices; in challenging or overly vigorous years, green harvesting is used strategically to control yields and concentrate flavour. Harvesting is done with careful selection in the vineyard, followed by an even stricter triage at the winery in Nuits‑Saint‑Georges. Vinification is deliberately gentle and precise: traditional fermentation in small vats, with a focus on preserving whole berries where appropriate, controlled extraction through remontage and pigeage, and the use of gravity rather than aggressive pumping to move must and wine. Aging typically takes place in French oak barrels—often with a judicious proportion of new oak—to refine the tannins, add complexity, and respect the identity of the terroir rather than impose a heavy house style.

Food & Serving
Clos Frantin Nuits‑Saint‑Georges 2018 Øko is a versatile partner at the table, particularly with refined yet flavourful dishes. It pairs beautifully with roast duck breast, guinea fowl, or herb‑crusted lamb, as well as classic Burgundian fare such as coq au vin or boeuf bourguignon, where its structure and acidity cut through richness. Game birds, rabbit, and veal in mushroom sauces are equally well‑matched, and it shines alongside earthy vegetarian dishes like wild mushroom risotto, roasted root vegetables, and truffle‑infused preparations. Mature semi‑soft cheeses such as Époisses, Langres, or a well‑aged Comté are also excellent companions. Serve at 15–16°C (59–61°F) to showcase its aromatics and texture. For current drinking, decanting for 30–60 minutes helps the wine open and soften the tannins; as it ages and develops more complexity, a gentle splash‑decant just before serving will be sufficient.

Producer
Domaine du Clos Frantin is one of the crown jewels of Maison Albert Bichot, which has owned the estate since 1967. Located in the Côte de Nuits, the domaine manages around 13 hectares of vines across some of Burgundy’s most prestigious villages, including Flagey‑Échezeaux, Gevrey‑Chambertin, Vosne‑Romanée, and Vougeot. Remarkably, about 8 of those hectares are classified as Premier Cru and Grand Cru, with tiny holdings in legendary sites such as Richebourg underscoring the estate’s privileged position in the region. Over recent decades, Albert Bichot has invested heavily in elevating quality, shifting away from a purely négociant image towards a producer of meticulously crafted, domaine‑bottled wines that rival Burgundy’s top grower‑estates. The philosophy at Clos Frantin is to let each parcel and vintage speak for itself: reduced yields, rigorous vineyard selection, organic farming, and detail‑driven cellar work all serve this goal. Vinification now takes place in a modern yet artisan‑oriented winery in Nuits‑Saint‑Georges, where gravity‑flow and hands‑on precision have replaced more industrial methods. This commitment has earned Bichot and Domaine du Clos Frantin a strong reputation among Burgundy enthusiasts for authenticity, consistency, and terroir expression.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.