DOMAINE des GROTTES Pinnochio '22

Domaine des Grottes Pinocchio '22 is a playful, boundary-pushing natural Pinot Noir from Romain des Grottes in Saint-Étienne-des-Oullières, deep in the southern Beaujolais.

Romain and his wife Perrine farm their 6.5-hectare estate biodynamically (Demeter-certified since 2007) on granite soils, with ultra-low planting density and yields that often dip as low as 12 hl/ha. For this cuvée they source Pinot Noir (from Limousin vineyards in some vintages) and give it only the lightest touch of maceration—essentially a Blanc de Noirs style—before pressing and aging in a combination of stainless, fiber tanks, and bottle. Zero added sulfur, native yeasts, and zero fining or filtration.

The 2022 vintage is bright, quirky, and supremely drinkable. Expect a pale ruby hue that flirts with rosé territory, with lively aromatics of crushed wild strawberry, red cherry, blood orange zest, and a whisper of rose petal and wet stone. On the palate it’s crisp and energetic, with mouthwatering acidity, a touch of that signature natural-wine “funk” (just enough to keep things interesting), and a silky, almost pétillant lift that makes it dangerously easy to finish the bottle. Low alcohol, zero heaviness, maximum refreshment.