Who makes it
At the top of a hill facing the church in Saint-Amour, Domaine du Château de la Pirolette keeps its estate inside the village that names its wines. Gregory Barbet and his sisters took over with their co-owners in 2013, and the domaine comprises 15 hectares of vines.
The range centres on Saint-Amour, with a main cuvée and named parcel expressions including La Poulette. The wines stay close to the village name while separating individual vineyard addresses.
Where it grows
Saint-Amour is a village and appellation in southern Burgundy. The domaine comprises 15 hectares of vines in Saint-Amour.
The estate's hilltop position places the vines and cellar within the village itself. The Saint-Amour name therefore covers both the main cuvée and the more specific parcel wines.
How it is made
The cellar
Vines average 65 years old across the property. The domaine has converted to organic viticulture, and its vineyards achieved HVE, or Haute Valeur Environnementale, certification in 2019.
The classic Saint-Amour ages nine months in stainless steel. La Poulette, the single vineyard expression, is aged in cement eggs known as Oeuf de Beaune. The two vessels give the range separate cellar identities without changing its focus on Saint-Amour Gamay.
What they make
The range is built around Saint-Amour wines, with Saint-Amour made from 100% Gamay. Saint-Amour Pirolette is the main cuvée, while named single vineyard and parcel expressions bring a narrower vineyard address. La Poulette is the clearest named site in the range.
The classic Saint-Amour can age for five to ten years. The bottles therefore move from the main appellation cuvée to wines organised around individual parcels.