New Name: Visit to Domaine Françoise André – Tasting the Red 2022s

One of the most positive surprises I had this summer was my first visit to Domaine Françoise André in Beaune. Not only does it make good whites, it also has managed to create a portfolio of reds that’s surprisingly intriguing and delicate.

Domaine Françoise André

While Domaine Françoise André is new to me, it is a mature estate founded in 1983. Françoise André is the mother-in-law of the domaine’s current manager, Lauriane André, who has been running – and reviving – the estate since 2010.

This is a surprising domaine that has been working hard and is now organic, having found its style with both red and white wines. Finding a natural style and working to perfect it is difficult, and many never reach this stage. Domaine Françoise André has done so, and the whites are already there: tremendous wines. The reds, with seven days of pre-fermentation cold soak, set the future path; very exciting wines.

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Domaine Françoise André wines

• Corton Renardes Rouge Grand Cru 
• Corton-Charlemagne Blanc Grand Cru 
• Beaune 1er Cru Blanc Belissand 
• Beaune 1er Cru Rouge Les Reversées 
• Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Blanc Sous Frétille 
• Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Rouge Les Narbantons 
• Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Rouge Les Jarrons 
• Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Blanc Les Hauts Jarrons 
• Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Blanc Les Vergelesses 
• Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Rouge Les Vergelesses 
• Pommard Rouge Les Vaumuriens 
• Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc Les Pins 
• Chorey-les-Beaune Blanc Tue Boeuf 
• Chorey-les-Beaune Rouge Tue Boeuf 
• Beaune Rouge Montée Rouge 
• Beaune Rouge Les Bons Feuvres 
• Savigny-Les-Beaune Rouge Ez Connardises 
• Bourgogne Côte d’Or Blanc 
• Bourgogne Côte d’Or Rouge

 VINS BIOLOGIQUES

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The reds

The reds are forward, aromatic, and perfumed, as the cold pre-fermentation helps release some charming phenolics. While balanced, and with some impression of oak, the wines are first and foremost charming and forward.

The grapes are destemmed, and the style is what I would call modern and quite delicate, with light extraction and a refined touch.

Let’s taste!

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Domaine Françoise André Bourgogne Côte d’Or  2022

The Bourgogne Côte d’Or is vivid and lively, coming from Chorey-les–Beaune. It’s a fine entry-level wine that sets the scene for the whole range as it’s vinified with seven days of cold pre-fermentation (maceration in a chilled tank). This has a lightly perfumed, or should I say expressive, nose that leaves you with a smile.

(Drink from 2024) – Good (87p) – Tasted 12/07/2023

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Domaine Françoise André Chorey-les-Beaune Tue Boeuf 2022

The next step is the Chorey Tue Boeuf, located below the RD 974 main road. This is slightly reduced, resulting in a light caramel note. But it has some intensity, and the mid-palate has good richness.

(Drink from 2024) – Good (87p) – Tasted 12/07/2023

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Domaine Françoise André Beaune Les Bons Feuvres 2022

This vineyard is on the Pommard side of Beaune at the bottom of the slope. This is a relatively rich wine with a palate to match. The use of 25-30% new oak gives it a strong identity. It has a Beaune signature, but is quite elegant.

(Drink from 2028) – Very Good (89p) – Tasted 12/07/2023 –

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Domaine Françoise André Beaune Montée Rouge 2022

This vineyard is at the very top of the Beaune appellation, and is more light-footed than the lower-down vineyards. There is a lovely core of fruit, elegant, delicate, and vivid, and the balance with the oak (30% new) is perfect. This has a mineral backbone and a nice hedonistic glow

(Drink from 2028) – Very Good (88p) – Tasted 12/07/2023

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Domaine Françoise André Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Ez Connardises 2022

This vineyard is at the entrance to Savigny-les-Beaune, producing here an elegant, delicate, but also quite spicy wine. I love the red berries – raspberries and hints of cherries. Juicy, with good richness on the mid-palate, this is a beautiful hedonistic treat.

(Drink from 2033) – Very Good (89p) – Tasted 12/07/2023 –  

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Domaine Françoise André Pommard Les Vaumuriens 2022

This Pommard is at the very top of the appellation, and the clay/limestone soil gives a clear mineral note. While slightly reduced, there’s nice, delicate fruit. Please note this is a village wine, but nevertheless shows very well on the hedonistic side.

(Drink from 2033) – Very Good (89p) – Tasted 12/07/2023

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Domaine Françoise André Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Narbantons 2022

This is a hedonistic treat; silky and delicate, with much finesse. What can I say? This is one of the most refined wines in the line-up. The mid-palate fruit is deep and complex. I love this, and the 77-year-old vines give some street cred!

(Drink from 2033) – Fine (91p) – Tasted 12/07/2023 –

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Domaine Françoise André Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Vergelesses 2022

The Vergelesses is rich, deep, and intense, with a clear saline note. There is airy minerality in this harmonious wine that shows the good qualities one wants from a Savigny-les-Beaune. While I do prefer the sensual Narbantons, it’s close!

(Drink from 2033) – Very Good (90p) – Tasted 12/07/2023 –

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