Brothers Franck & Frédérick Buisson Brothers Franck & Frédérick Buisson
INTRODUCTION
BrothersFranckandFrédérickBuissoncrafthigh-classwinesinSaint-Romain, wheretheirfamilyhistorydatestotheMiddleAges.
The sibling duo’s driving force is their unwavering belief in the unique expressions of terroir in their wines They operate with an open-minded attitude gained from experience working at other wineries around the world whilst also drawing on their long family history in viticulture in Saint-Romain They make haute-couture wines, like many other grand cru producers (which theyareonthehillofCorton),torevealpreciseterroirexpression.
We are thrilled to add this exciting estate to the Corney & Barrow Hong Kong portfolioandcan’twaittoopenandsharesomebottleswithyou
THIBAUTMATHIEU MANAGINGDIRECTORCORNEY&BARROWASIA
JUNE2024
The vines of Saint-Romain The vines of Saint-Romain
HISTORY
The Buisson family have been in Saint-Romain since the 12 century Their official records date back to the late 18 century as unfortunately all earlier evidence was destroyed during the French Revolution
The viticultural history of the family began in 1947 when Henri Buisson (Franck and Frédérick’s grandfather) purchased five hectares of vines to bottle and sell under his own name Henri Buisson was a pioneer in Saint-Romain and the creation of his own domaine fortuitously coincided with SaintRomain being awarded AOC status, Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée.
Henri’s son Gilles (Franck and Frédérick’s father) took over the reins of the estate in the late 1990s and increased the vineyard holdings to 14 hectares by 2000. He worked alongside his wife Monica, who was the driving force behind the domaine’s acquisition of land in other appellations. Monica secured new vineyards in Pommard and Corton Grand Cru, whilst Gilles built a modern winery in Saint-Romain to properly vinify and age their wines, ensuring that their two sons would inherit a solid operation
Franck and Frédérick represent the 8 generation of the Buisson family and they joined the estate in 2008 Their grandfather was an early adopter of organic viticulture in the 60s and 70s Franck and Frédérick continue the legacy of their forefathers They now own and farm 20 hectares of vines whilst keeping environmental and sustainable practices at the core of their estate The domaine was certified organic in 2009
At home in Saint-Romain, their two flagship wines are the white Saint-Romain and red Saint-Romain Sous Roche with the two ‘Absolu’ cuvées at the pinnacle They produce five additional single vineyard Saint-Romains from tiny plots, that show the intricate nuances of terroir expression within this exciting appellation.
Beyond the romantic village of Saint-Romain, the domaine extends to some of the most prestigious names across the Côte de Beaune, boasting vineyards in Corton, Corton-Charlemagne, Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, Auxey-Duresses and Beaune The estate’s offerings are complemented by a small négoce business, where they exchange grapes with other grower friends from PulignyMontrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and NuitsSaint-Georges
Concrete tank in Buisson cellar Concrete tank in Buisson cellar
PHILOSOPHY
Frédérick succinctly summarises the Buisson philosophy of winemaking: "faire du vin c’est extraire du ciel de la terre" ("to make wine it is to extract a bit of Heaven from Earth")
Chez Buisson, sustainable practices have always been at the core of viticulture and winemaking Henri (grandfather) was an early adopter of organic viticulture, never applying chemical products to his vines This focus was continued by their father Gilles who banned the use of weedkiller They achieved organic certification in 2009 (Agriculture Biologique)
Following an internship at Domaine Leflaive in 2004, AnneClaude Leflaive’s philosophy and approach heavily influenced Frédérick. Since 2018, they have practised biodynamics, despite their teacher at the lycée viticole (winemaking school) of Beaune discouraging them to do so.
They prioritise respect for the environment across all facets of their business, from viticulture, to winemaking, use of machines, choice of dry goods (i.e. bottles) and their overall carbon footprint. What is more, they recently planted an orchard of 88 trees (lucky number!) to promote biodiversity They also practise single plot vinification to highlight the individual terroirs - standardisation is not in their vocabulary!
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING
Saint-Romain is a picture-perfect village, high up the valley overlooking Auxey-Duresses with Meursault in the distance It enjoys all the benefits associated with high elevation, like cool nights and bright, sunny days The vineyards are planted in an amphitheatre at the foot of a 40-metre-high cliff, with a multitude of different exposures and altitudes (ranging from 200m to 400m and some serious slope gradients) It is a tranquil place with abundant natural beauty and no electric poles or phone lines in sight!
Composed mostly of clay and limestone, the plots are a range of rocky, sandy, alluvial and marl soils, each imparting the signature minerality and tension associated with wines from Saint-Romain. The domaine’s 11 hectares of patchwork parcels across the village are reflected in the seven single vineyard cuvées they produce, two red and five white wines.
The two historic and celebrated vineyards, SaintRomain Sous Roche and Saint-Romain Sous La Velle are at the heart of the domaine and represent three and two hectares respectively
The vines average ages span a respectable 30 to 70-year-old, they have been certified organic since 2009 and they follow biodynamic principles since 2018 They grow cover crops between the rows and have adopted a special vine pruning method (Guyot-Poussard) for their Pinot Noir, to prevent disease Frédérick, the trained winemaker of the family, converted his whole team to this technique
Harvest is carried out at cool temperatures to preserve freshness in the wine, and after pressing the Chardonnay, they aerate the juice using a process called pre-oxidation The early and intensive exposure to oxygen eliminates the more fragile components of the must and reduces the amount of sulphur needed later in the winemaking process whilst also preventing premature oxidation.
For the red wines, they aim for a high degree of whole bunch vinification, between 60% and 100% Fermentation is carried out in concrete tanks and lasts between two and three weeks, as slow as possible, in their cool cellar The Chardonnay is matured in large oak tanks of 500L for over 10 months For the reds, they like long maceration, then the ageing is in barrel for a good 12 months with a maximum of 20% new oak
Their two ‘Absolu’ wines are made without any addition of sulphur and are highly regarded and vastly oversubscribed. The vines used to produce Saint-Romain Blanc Sous La Velle Absolu and the Saint-Romain Rouge Sous Roche Absolu do not see any copper at all (a common organic treatment to fight fungus & bacterial attacks).
THE WINES
SAINT-ROMAIN LE JARRON 2022
A young vine of 15 years, planted on a thin soil of light sand and exposed south-west, on a steep slope. This is the most flinty and salty of the Saint-Romain whites. This has a fabulous salty granularity, with taut, tensile acidity. Phenolic and crunchy on the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2029
£220/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
SAINT-ROMAIN EN POILLANGE 2022
The Poillange lieu-dit is the southern-most plot of SaintRomain and is south-east-facing. It is a warm site, with a steep slope. The vines are 60-year-old, planted on rich marl and limestone soil. It is a great terroir. The wine is floral at first with a hint of sweet aromas. Then it shows its weight and personality. The palate displays notes of tropical fruit and ripe orchard fruit. The finish is unctuous yet the minerality adds a good tension.
Corney & Barrow Score 18 5
Recommended drinking from 2026 – 2031
£250/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
SAINT-ROMAIN PERRIÈRE 2022
This plot is next to Poillange, in the amphitheatre-like valley and well exposed with 40-year-old vines gets its name from the limestone rock in high concentration in the sub-soil. The wine is elegant and fine, with a marked salinity and the very enticing crushed stone sensation. On the palate, you get a blend of citrus aromas and green apple. A touch of sea salt adds complexity, to a structured and serious wine
Corney & Barrow Score 18 5
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2028
£250/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
SAINT-ROMAIN 2022
This is the other original plot of the domaine. It sits opposite to the Sous Rouche lieu-dit, facing east, under the village of Saint-Romain Le Haut. The vines are planted on limestone. The holding of the Buisson is 2ha out of a total of 2.5ha. For Franck Buisson, it is the flag bearer of Saint-Romain appellation. The palate is sharp, complex, intense and mineral Citrus aromas abound The wine has texture, it begs for another glass, you salivate from the first sip I liked it a lot
Corney & Barrow Score 18 5+
Recommended drinking from 2026 – 2031
£275/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
SAINT-ROMAIN SOUS LE CHÂTEAU 2022
The vines are 30 year-old vines, planted at 370m of altitude and facing south/south-east The vineyard is planted on the ruin of the old castle of Saint-Romain The soil is shallow, composed of limestone and well exposed to the warm sun The wine is of volume, body, ripeness, showing aromas of peach and apricot A floral note adds elegance and lightness A big wine
Corney & Barrow Score 18-18 5
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2028
£270/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
MEURSAULT LES VIGNES DE MARGUERITE 2022
Named after the grandmother of Franck and Frédérick Buisson, the wine comes from the lieux-dits Chevalières and Luchets, planted with venerable 70 year-old vines It has been in the Buisson family for several generations now It is an elegant and classy Meursault showing a good tension and freshness The limestone influence yields a mineral and aerial wine with a moderate Meursault richness & opulence I wrote ‘un joli Meursault’
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2029
£510/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET LES ENCÉGNIÈRES 2022
The grapes are an exchange with the Domaine Sauzet. In return, the Buisson give away some of their Saint-Romain crop. The wine is rich and ripe with a long mineral finish. The palate has aromas of citrus and stone fruits and a nice tension. This is moreish, hedonistic yet taut.
Corney & Barrow Score 18+
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2029
£540/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
CORTON-CHARLEMAGNE GRAND CRU 2022
The wine exudes serenity and power, it makes you pause. The palate is complex, mineral at first and vegetal with nice rhubarb aromas. Then it opens on citrus taste, stone fruits and floral characters. There is nobility in this poised wine. From 75-year-old vines this is a wine of intensity, complexity and structure
Corney & Barrow Score 18 5+
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2029
£1,695/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET 1ER CRU LA MALTROIE 2022
This is the Yang to the Encégnières’ Ying Ripe, lush, round palate with intense aromas of ripe orchard fruits and a touch of toasted bread It is tactile and fleshy Lots of power
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2029
£540/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
BEAUNE ‘LES ASSOCIÉS’ 2022
These 30-year-old vines are located between 220-350m above sea level. Planted on deeper, fertile brown limestone soils. The wine is moreish with fresh raspberry fruit, juicy whole bunch spices and a textured sappiness. Grippy fine tannins give tension and energy to the palate.
Corney & Barrow Score 17 5
Recommended drinking from 2026 – 2031
£225/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
SAINT-ROMAIN ROUGE COMBE BAZIN 2022
This plot is situated at 360m above sea level, planted with 30year-old vines The soil is a mixture of limestone and dark clay The nose shows aromas of red berries, shining and pure The palate is cool and red-fruited, with lots of sappy spices 40% whole bunches bring some tension
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5
Recommended drinking from 2024 – 2029
£245/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
SAINT-ROMAIN ROUGE SOUS ROCHE 2022
This is the historical vineyard of the domaine The plot is 3 ha of 60-year-old vines sitting at 300m of altitude facing the village of Saint-Romain The soil is composed of calcareous marl; it is a warm, west-facing Freshness and tension best describe this cuvée of Pinot Noir The tannins are fine-coated, the palate is about wild strawberries and umami The finish is saline and long
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2024 - 2030+ £255/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
CORTON GRAND CRU LE ROGNET ET CORTON 2022
The lieu-dit is on Ladoix-Serrigny side, touching Les Renardes and les Bressandes The vines are 70-year-old, east-facing on the mid slope of the Corton Hill The soil is poor, composed of clay and limestone, well drained, forcing the vines to fight The wine is high-class, masculine and complex but not at all austere The palate is elegant, showing ripe red fruits and powdery tannins It is a wine of texture and elegance
Corney & Barrow Score 18 5
Recommended drinking from 2025 to 2037
£1,050/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
18 SAINT-ROMAIN ROUGE ABSOLU SOUS ROCHE 2022
The cuvée Absolu is a natural wine The grapes come from the historical plot There are no dedicated rows for this bottling During the winemaking and ageing process, there are barrels which undergo the whole process until the next spring without the need of Sulfur dioxide to protect the wines These barrels are bottled like this, after racking They are perfectly healthy, clean and stable From tasting, I sensed an extra dimension of citrus aromas and energy when compared to the classic cuvée Sous Roche
Corney & Barrow Score 18+
Recommended drinking from 2024 - 2030+
£270/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
CORTON GRAND CRU LES RENARDES 2022
The lieu-dit is on Aloxe-Corton side, below the Le Corton plot and above Les Bressandes It is east-facing, sitting high on the slope at 300m The vines are 60-year-old The soil is clay-rich, with a high proportion of iron, the earth is heavy and compact when it rains The wine is opulent and powerful, structured and earthy This is more masculine than the Le Rognet counterpart This is a big wine
Corney & Barrow Score 18.5
Recommended drinking from 2025 to 2037+
£1,320/Case of 6 Bottles, in bond UK
