Philippe Pacalet, Ladoix 1er Cru Les Joyeuses 2018

Philippe Pacalet’s Ladoix 1er Cru Les Joyeuses 2018 is a characterful Burgundy that bridges elegance and rustic charm, sourced from a lesser-known but increasingly sought‑after corner of the Côte de Beaune. Crafted from old-vine Pinot Noir and made with Pacalet’s signature low‑intervention touch, it offers a vivid expression of place with striking purity of fruit and fine, chalky structure. As a premier cru from a climat with rising reputation, this cuvée neatly captures the energy and generosity of the 2018 vintage in Burgundy.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the wine shows a bright, transparent ruby hue with garnet reflections toward the rim, hinting at both concentration and finesse. The nose opens with fresh red cherries, wild strawberries and redcurrants, layered with notes of crushed violets, rose petals and subtle forest floor. With air, more complex nuances emerge: spice box, orange zest, a touch of licorice and a faint, savory herb edge that is very much in Pacalet’s house style. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied yet intense, with silky but present tannins and a lively, mouthwatering acidity that keeps the 2018 fruit richness in perfect check. Flavors of red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate mingle with stony minerality, gentle smokiness and a saline, almost chalk‑dust finish that lingers with precision. The structure suggests that while it is already enjoyable with some aeration, it will continue to gain complexity and tertiary nuances—truffle, undergrowth, dried flowers—over the next 8–12 years, and potentially longer in ideal cellar conditions.

Production
Les Joyeuses is a premier cru vineyard in Ladoix, at the northern gateway of the Côte de Beaune, where the soils are a mix of limestone, clay and marl, producing Pinots that combine Côte de Nuits‑like tension with Beaune’s more generous fruit. Vines here tend to be relatively old and low-yielding, fostering natural concentration and aromatic depth. True to his philosophy, Philippe Pacalet works with organically farmed fruit, harvested manually at optimal ripeness and carefully sorted in the cellar. Whole‑cluster fermentation with native yeasts is central to his approach, enhancing aromatic lift and texture while minimizing extraction. The wine is aged in oak barrels—largely older wood to avoid overt oak flavors—for roughly a year and a half, with minimal sulfur and no fining or filtration, allowing the character of the terroir to shine through with clarity.

Food & Serving
This Ladoix 1er Cru is a highly versatile food wine that pairs beautifully with dishes that respect its finesse and vibrant acidity. Think roasted poultry (especially duck or guinea fowl), veal chops with morel sauce, grilled or lightly smoked pork, and game birds. Earthy accompaniments—mushroom fricassée, truffle risotto, lentils with herbs, or root vegetable gratins—underline its mineral and savory tones, while semi-soft cheeses like Époisses, Langres or a well-aged Comté make for a classic Burgundy match. Serve at 14–16 °C (57–61 °F); decanting for 30–45 minutes in its youth helps the whole‑cluster aromatics and texture unfurl, whereas older bottles can be simply opened and poured gently to preserve their more delicate bouquet.

Producer
Philippe Pacalet is one of Burgundy’s emblematic micro-négociants, widely respected for his intuitive, hands‑off approach to winemaking and his ability to translate vineyard character with remarkable precision. A former régisseur at the legendary Domaine Prieuré‑Roch and nephew of natural wine pioneer Marcel Lapierre, Pacalet established his own label in the early 2000s and quickly became a reference point for expressive, terroir-driven Burgundy. Working with meticulously chosen vineyard partners across the Côte d’Or, he focuses on organic viticulture, whole‑cluster fermentations and minimal intervention in the cellar. His wines—from regional bottlings to grands crus—are prized by sommeliers and collectors for their perfume, energy and ageworthy balance, and his work has helped shine a brighter light on appellations like Ladoix that had long lived in the shadow of more famous neighbors.

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.