She also happens to make head-turning wines from what are typically considered “simpler” appellations.

Her domaine, Domaine Naudin-Ferrand, is nestled into the picturesque hillside of Magny-lès-Villers, the only village in the Hautes-Côtes region which straddles the boundary between the two appellations of Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. The estate covers about 22 hectares of vineyards, with prestigious parcels in Aloxe, Ladoix, Echézeaux, and Nuits-Saint-Georges. Claire has been running the domaine since 1994, when she took over from her father Henri Naudin after earning degrees in Agronomy and Oenology and gaining experience in vineyards and cellars across the globe.

Over the past two decades, Claire has taken progressive steps to lower yields, improve trellising, eschew synthetic chemical use and sort ruthlessly in the cellar when the selective picking in the vineyard is not rigorous enough for the vintage.

Though her vineyards are cultivated according to organic principles, they are not certified. Claire is of the opinion that formal organic accreditation tends to lead to a certain standardisation of wine, something she actively wants to avoid. She’s determined to maintain her independence and freedom to make holistic decisions. As a matter of fact, her ultimate goal is to add zero non-natural ingredients to her vineyards, not even sulphur and copper (both of which are permitted by organic regulations). This means she has to strive to find other solutions to combat vineyard threats using other naturally occurring organic materials. This approach may be more expensive but, in her view, it is still preferable because it results in better care of both the vineyard and the vineyard workers.

Claire’s aesthetic and vision are expressed in no finer form than the much beloved Flower Series wines, which are each named after the characteristic wild flower species that grow in the respective vineyards. We are especially fond of them, and find ourselves reaching for them regularly during our downtime.

The wines are elegant and pure examples of their type, which I personally admire. — Allen Meadows …the low-sulfur wines take complexity and hedonistic joy to another level. They are not easy wines as they, I feel, require reflection to find the full depths of their delight. — Steen Öhman She is a strict non-dogmatist (there’s a contrast in terms for you) but she certainly has her way without SO2. In the end, just damned fine wine. — Alice Feiring

(Photo: Henri Annoni for Entre Les Vignes)

This remarkable lady is also married to Jean-Yves Bizot of the cult Domaine Bizot in Vosne-Romanée. The couple exchange thoughts about viticulture and winemaking, while applying their independent decisions at each domaine. Indeed, there are more similarities between them than differences. After all, they adopt similar approaches in their work. But make no mistake, Claire’s wines are her own — uniquely identifiable to their terroir and her personality — and it is precisely these qualities that endear them to her fans.

Claire Naudin’s wines embody the new Burgundy. They are both proudly ancient — downright basic in their methodology, absolutely minimal in their accoutrement — and emphatically forward-looking, in that Claire is especially concerned about the impact of her work on future generations. Her wines are as much philosophical as they are visceral to taste. They speak of the beauty of simplicity, and carry themselves with grace.

To people who are in the know, Claire Naudin is already a star, and one that they secretly hope others will not discover too quickly. We can say this without reservation: her winsome wines speak for themselves. They speak of a place, and they are articulate, but not pompous. They are light-footed, gentle and perfumed. And then, just before you empty your glass, they burst forth to reveal their roots and strength. These wines are charming, but serious, much like their creator.

Claire’s signature style — which marries florality with delectably pure fruit polished by gentle oak tone — shines through vividly every vintage. Her wines are fascinating to experience both in their youth as well as after some cellaring. With the sheer expressiveness of the 2019 vintage combined with scarcity of supply, neither hedonists nor collectors will want to miss these.

Prices in this offer are valid only for orders taken up to 30 April 2021. Orders will be processed subject to availability and written confirmation. Full payment is required no later than 7 days after confirmation invoice has been sent to confirm the order. No reservations allowed and no further discount.

These 2019 wines are estimated to arrive in Singapore in Q1 2022, subject to shipper's final notice. All terms and conditions apply.