2016 Henri Prudhon & Fils Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes [JG90+]

Producer: Henri Prudhon & Fils 
Region: Saint-Aubin, Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France 
Varietal: Pinot Noir  
Year: 2016 

Retail Price: $46.00 
Our Price: $21.99* 

Family owned since its founding in 1921, Domaine Henri Rudhon has been famed importer Neal Rosenthal's principal source for Saint Aubin wines from the outset.  Prudhon's vineyard holdings in Saint Aubin are significant and they produce wines that demonstrate a profound understanding of the tantalizing terroir of Saint Aubin.  Rosenthal states, "If one bemoans the fact that so much of Burgundy is dear, then one has only to settle into this delightful geographical niche of Saint Aubin and indulge in the wines of this modest but oh-so-competent family to discover exceptional value."  The Saint Aubin region is the source for some of the finest value in Burgundy.  This region is an under-the-radar gem that Decanter once called "Burgundy's best value village".  Wines from Saint Aubin are a great introduction to Burgundy and good value for money.  Henri Prudhon is a hidden wine treasure and a true insider's Burgundy.  Wine critic Allen Meadows of Burghound writes, "The quality that this domaine consistently achieves is nothing short of remarkable... I have said this before but I would go so far as to say that Domaine Henri Prudhon is one of, and perhaps even the most underrated producer in all of Burgundy.  Moreover, the wines sell for very reasonable prices so if you don’t need a famous name on a label to be happy, try a bottle from Prudhon."  The 2016 Henri Prudhon & Fils Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes is an intensely fruity wine.  It has notes of cherries, orange peel, thyme, espresso, and woodsmoke.  It's deep and full-bodied with excellent focus and fine-grained tannins.  Enjoy!

John Gilman, 90+ Points 

"The 2016 les Frionnes rouge was bottled at the very start of the year and was showing very well indeed at the time of my visit. The bouquet delivers a fine and classy blend of red and black cherries, woodsmoke, a lovely base of soil, a touch of fresh thyme, espresso and a topnote of orange peel. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and quite soil-driven in personality, with a very good core, excellent focus and grip, fine-grained tannins and impressive length and grip on the vibrant and youthful finish. Good juice. 2024-2050+." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"Like the Perrieres in white, the Frionnes in red was the first of the 1er Cru Saint Aubins to be bottled for sale directly from the domaine in the early 1980s. The vines are from a one hectare parcel on a hillside vineyard situated between Saint Aubin and Gamay. The vine age is 50 years on average and the exposure is east-southeast. The Prudhons give this intensely fruity wine less aging in barrel (virtually no new oak) and bottle this cuvée just prior to the next year’s harvest." 

Alcohol: 13% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Discounts do not apply to wines like this one currently on sale.