2023 Henri Prudhon & Fils, Saint-Aubin Rouge, 1er Cru Les Frionnes

The Prudhon family has been a fixture in Saint-Aubin for generations, tending to steep, stony parcels that bridge the rugged gap between their home village and the legendary slopes of Chassagne-Montrachet. Much of the domaine’s stellar reputation is built on these high-altitude, limestone-heavy sites, where cooler exposures act as a natural "refrigerator" for the vines. This high-country terroir ensures that even in warmer years, the wines maintain a crystalline freshness and a signature mountain-air clarity that has made Prudhon a darling for those who seek soulful, transparent Burgundy.

Perched on the Chassagne side of the appellation just below the forest line, the Premier Cru "Les Frionnes" is a site defined by thin soils and a dramatic, rocky pitch. This elevation gives the wine a bit more "spine" and structural depth than the lighter village bottlings, providing a sophisticated frame for the fruit. In the generous 2023 vintage, this translates to a beautiful perfume of red cherry and crushed rose petals, underscored by a subtle, silty earthiness. It is a bright, hillside Pinot Noir that perfectly captures the "vertical" energy of Saint-Aubin, finishing with the elegant, limestone-driven snap that is the Prudhon family’s calling card.

The 2023 vintage brought generous yields across Burgundy. Here it shows as red cherry, rose petal, and a subtle earthy note, carried by the bright, hillside character typical of Saint-Aubin’s higher vineyards.