Bourgogne Rouge, Cuvée Esus 2022, Domaine Normand

Buy Burgundy Pinot Noir Wine from Domaine Normand

Unfortunately, the 2020 vintage is sold out! The 2021 vintage did not meet our quality expectations, so we eagerly await the opportunity to taste the 2022 vintage. Keep an eye out because the balanced and rich 2022 is incoming this decemeber!

This Pinot Noir is expressive on the nose, offering delightful freshness and aromas of ripe dark red fruit, wild blackberries, strawberries, sous-bois, warm underlying spiciness (pepper), a touch of crème de cassis, and well-integrated oak. It’s full-bodied and rich on the palate, with a generous layer of vanilla, supported by soft tannins and refined by the fresh character of the Pinot Noir grape. A polished mouthfeel with no harsh edges or underripeness. This limited production wine has never been exported, making it a well-kept secret. Exclusive! Enjoy from 2022 - 2028. Bio-conversion. The Celtic god Esus was revered as the deity of vegetation.

Serve slightly chilled, and decanting is recommended. With a bit of air, the terroir shines through more clearly. Once opened, the wine keeps well in the fridge for several days. Remove it from the fridge 30-60 minutes before serving. You can view the beautiful vineyard where these grapes are grown here on Google Maps.

Domaine Normand was actually our neighbor when we ran our B&B Maison Mazille, and we had the pleasure of watching their growth up close.

Food Pairing

Enjoy as an aperitif or pair with red meat and autumnal dishes. It also pairs beautifully with charcuterie, boeuf bourguignon, hamburgers, BBQ dishes, stews, lamb rack, and soft cheeses.

Special Features

• 100% Pinot Noir, aged in French oak for added structure
• Lovely freshness with aromas of ripe dark red cassis fruit, complemented by vanilla notes
• Grown in the southern Mâconnais region, lending the wine a rich flavor profile
• Bio-conversion

About Domaine Normand

With Norman strength and southern flair, Alain Normand hails from the Loire Valley, although his ancestral roots trace back to Normandy—hence the name. Fittingly, he is a tall, red-haired man (by French standards). At wine school in Beaune, he met Sylvaine, a native Burgundian. They began their career by taking over an abandoned vineyard in La Roche-Vineuse through a métayage contract, a traditional French farming arrangement where payment is made in wine. Alain now cultivates 35 hectares in areas including La Roche-Vineuse, an ancient village nestled on the steep slope of a massive limestone outcrop. One of their secret weapons is the Bourgogne Pinot Noir cuvée Esus, which even manages to captivate those not typically drawn to Pinot Noir with its alluring vanilla tones and warmth. Their buttery Chardonnays, meanwhile, have a firm backbone and a signature crème brûlée vanilla nose.

The Mâconnais: The Hidden Gem of Burgundy

The Mâconnais, located in the southern part of Burgundy, is often overshadowed by the prestigious vineyards of the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. However, this region has gained attention in recent years for its exceptional value. While more famous Burgundy areas come with high price tags, the Mâconnais offers wines of high quality with unique character at a more approachable cost. For many wine lovers exploring Burgundy, the Mâconnais is a delightful discovery, proving that top wines don't always have to come from the most expensive areas.

What is Produced in the Mâconnais?

The Mâconnais is best known for its white wines, primarily made from Chardonnay. Key appellations include Mâcon-Villages, Viré-Clessé, Pouilly-Fuissé, and Saint-Véran. These wines are fresh, fruity, and often have a fine minerality reminiscent of the top wines from northern Burgundy but with a softer, more accessible style. The wines from the Mâconnais showcase a distinct terroir that subtly varies from village to village, giving each bottle a unique character.

Food Pairing with Mâconnais Wines

The white Chardonnay wines from the Mâconnais are versatile and pair well with a wide range of dishes. They’re an excellent choice with shellfish such as oysters, shrimp, lobster, and crab. They also complement light fish dishes with subtle herb butter sauces and are ideal with poultry dishes, especially those served with mushrooms or light sauces. For dessert, these wines pair beautifully with soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

The red wines, made from the Gamay or Pinot Noir grapes, are lighter in style and pair well with poultry, veal, duck, and chicken. They are also a great match for earthy vegetables, mushroom dishes, root vegetables, and risotto. Both red and white wines from the Mâconnais are versatile enough to serve with lighter desserts.

Buying Mâconnais Burgundy Wines

At Burgundy or Nowhere, you’ll find a wide selection of Mâconnais wines, from well-known names to hidden gems. We are especially excited about the wines from Domaine de la Chapelle, with its renowned Saint-Véran showcasing impressive depth and complexity at a reasonable price. The Pouilly-Fuissé AX-B from this domaine is also an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality Mâconnais experience without the high Côte d'Or price tag. Our goal is to offer wines where the price reflects what’s in the bottle, not just the name on the label.