Vin Noé, Face to Face, 2019

Vin Noé, Face to Face, 2019


Beaujolais, France

Burgundian micro-domaine and estate Vin Noé is the project of young Californian winemaker Jonathan Purcell. After graduating from his studies in Beaune, Jonathan built an impressive resume working as a tractor operator at Domaine de Montille and also for many years under the legendary Philippe Pacalet.

Jonathan established Vin Noé in 2016, based out of a 100-year old cuverie in Auxey-Duresses. Wines are produced using purchased grapes from the Mâcon, Beaujolais, and more recently from leased sites in Puligny-Montrachet and Saint Aubin. Jonathan takes a handsoff approach in the cellar, using wild yeast fermentation, zero sulphur additions and gently transferring wines without the use of a pump. Inspired by his work at Pacalet, Jonathan often opts for longer macerations with whole clusters, resulting in wines with deep and complex aromatics.

Skin fermented, deeply orange wine of viognier from Beaujolais! So chewy, so spicy, strong ginger and preserved lemon going on with lots of jasmine and chamomile too. Wow! Strong pucker to texture, an almost tonic-like feel too. Zesty, an almost chilli powder spice here too. Crazy town but oh so delicious and plenty of structure and texture to go.