Domaine Naudin-Ferrand - Bellis Perennis 2024
In Magny-lès-Villers, between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaune, Domaine Naudin-Ferrand belongs to those Burgundian estates whose history is intertwined with that of the Hautes-Côtes. Developed after the official birth of the appellation in 1961, the estate now covers about 22 hectares, the vast majority of which are in regional appellations of the Hautes-Côtes, complemented by some beautiful village terroirs, premiers crus, and grand cru. Claire Naudin pursues a very personal work here, attentive to maturities, natural balances, and a vinification that refuses ready-made recipes. The estate has gradually distinguished itself by wines with a free, precise style, often vinified with very few inputs, in a search for sincerity rather than conformity. Bellis Perennis 2024 fits into this vein, that of a white Burgundy Hautes-Côtes de Beaune which seeks less immediate seduction than a tense, lively, and deeply digestible expression of Chardonnay. In this area of relative altitude, the grape variety retains a particular freshness, a fruit energy, and a natural acidity that give the wine its relief. This 2024 vintage, marked here by limited production, reveals a bottle that is both serious, salivating, and very Burgundian in its balance.
This Nature cuvée is made from Chardonnay, coming from two parcels selected for their ability to express the appellation with finesse. “En Daisey,” located in Magny-lès-Villers, and “En Bully,” in the commune of Pernand-Vergelesses, are both south-facing, which brings the wine just the right maturity without sacrificing the freshness of the Hautes-Côtes. The 42-year-old vines cover just over one hectare, with a very low yield of 15 hl/ha and only 2,045 bottles produced. The grapes were hand-harvested on September 20 and 21, 2024, then whole-cluster pressed slowly and at low pressure to work the material delicately. Alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation take place naturally in barrels, followed by 12 months of aging on lees. The aging includes 28% new barrels, enough to structure the wine but balanced by the freshness of the fruit and the tension of the vintage. Bottling, done without filtration in January 2026, preserves the lively spirit of this cuvée while benefiting from a very moderate addition of sulfites to support transport and aging.
The color presents as a luminous pale yellow, quite restrained despite the barrel aging. The nose opens on ripe citrus, fresh lemon, pear, white almond, and a hint of wet stone, then reveals a discreet toasted touch inherited from barrel aging. On the palate, the wine shows a clear structure, with a matter more tense than opulent and a balance built around a very appetizing acid-saline sensation. The Chardonnay here gains relief thanks to a precise, almost crystalline freshness that lengthens the wine and gives rhythm to the finish. The wood, still perceptible in its youth, provides framework without weighing down the whole, while the 2024 fruit retains a particularly pleasant brightness. This cuvée will naturally find its place with river fish, abalone, roasted Bresse poultry, veal quenelles, saffron risotto, or a very dry goat cheese. Served around 10 to 12°C, it will benefit from being opened one to two hours before the meal, or even lightly decanted if carbon dioxide is still present.
Grape variety: Chardonnay
