François de Givry 

Enjoy the last of our 2022 and try the latest, sumptuous new 2023 release, arriving this month from the smallest monopole in the Cotes de Beaune. This is seriously good Chardonnay made by Domaine Leflaive for François de Givry.

The Domaine was founded in 2009 by François de Givry, with the acquisition of two parcels of land in Auxey-Duresses. The ‘Climat’ had been abandoned due to phylloxera since the 1930s and therefore was never polluted by chemical fertilizers or pesticides. François was guided by the late Anne-Claude Leflaive, who advised on the right Chardonnay clones and biodynamic viticultural practises. Domaine Leflaive has made the wines since the maiden 2014 vintage. François continued with their team and their famous ex-winemaker, Pierre Vincent.

Les Riames is formed by two steep plots facing south/south-east on a mainly marl-limestone soil with good natural irrigation (the Riames mean small streams). The total area of these two plots is less than half a hectare, the smallest monopoly of the Côte de Beaune.

The tiny production is usually snapped up by the top restaurants in Paris, London, and beyond. This is a gastronomic wine that matches up well to langoustines, salmon, poultry and aged cheeses.