The estate, managed by Philippe Ballot, who followed his father Raymond, and is working with his son Charles, boasts 12 hectares (30 acres) in all.
A superb production in its own right, yielding one of the finest and most delectable illustrations that Côte de Beaune could ever offer: the supple, fruity character of great white wines such as Meursault and Chassagne-Montrachet, and the richness and delicacy of the legendary Pommard, Beaune, and Volnay.
Today, along with the wine regions of Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet, and, of course, Meursault, the family “heritage” has earned prestige, both in the richness of its appellation selections and in the diversity of the prime vintage “Premier Crus” it represents.
Santenots is a highly regarded Premier Cru vineyard that falls under the Volnay appellation in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune sub-region. Officially located just south of the Volnay border in the commune of Meursault, the vineyard's red wines made from Pinot Noir may take the Volnay name (its Chardonnays must take the Meursault title). Santenots reds are usually lush and rich with good structure, ripe tannins, and good age ability.
The slightly riper nose features notes of poached plum, red and dark pinot fruit, and warm earth wisps. There is again fine energy to the solidly concentrated and voluminous flavours that deliver fine length on the notably more structured, serious, and youthfully austere finale.