DOMAINE DERAIN "Le Ban" St. Aubin Rouge

"Le Ban" Saint-Aubin Rouge from Domaine Derain is a soulful and elegant natural wine that showcases the finesse of Pinot Noir from Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune. Produced by the pioneering biodynamic estate in Saint-Aubin, now helmed by Julien Altaber and Carole Schwab following Dominique Derain’s retirement, this wine hails from century-old vines planted in the 1920s on an east-facing mid-slope of brown clay-limestone and gravelly soils. Hand-harvested with about 90% destemming, it undergoes spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in wooden vats, followed by a maceration of up to a month (with 10% whole clusters in some vintages), and ages for 10-18 months in old oak barrels. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and typically without added sulfur, it pours a translucent ruby red, offering a nose of ripe red fruits—raspberry, cherry, and strawberry—tinged with spicy and earthy undertones. On the palate, it’s light yet structured, with vibrant acidity, a silky texture, and a mineral-driven finish that echoes the typicity of Saint-Aubin’s terroir. A model of purity and drinkability, "Le Ban" pairs beautifully with game or a classic boeuf bourguignon, reflecting the estate’s legacy of authentic, living wines.