Domaine Kuheiji Fixin 2022

Terroir

The Fixin Village appellation sits at the northern gateway of the Côte de Nuits, where the vines cling to slopes of brown limestone and marl. At Domaine Kuheiji, the focus is on capturing the sturdy, "wilder" personality of this specific terroir. The iron-rich soils here provide a firm structure and a deep, earthy soul to the Pinot Noir, balanced by the cool breezes that keep the fruit vibrant and energetic.

Producer

Domaine Kuheiji is the realization of a dream by Kuheiji Kono, a 15th-generation Sake master from Nagoya. Driven by the Japanese philosophy of Monozukuri, the art of making things with technical mastery and soul, he brought his team to Burgundy to apply their obsessive attention to detail to the vine. By treating the vineyard like a living organism and blending Japanese precision with French tradition, they create wines that are crystalline, pure, and deeply reflective of their origin.

Wine

The Fixin 2022 is a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir that balances power with finesse. It opens with a bouquet of dark cherries, violets, and a hint of forest floor. On the palate, it is more structured than a typical village wine, showing firm yet velvety tannins and a concentrated core of red fruit. There is a lovely "savory" edge to this wine, a hallmark of the Fixin terroir that makes it feel grounded and sophisticated.

Vintage

The 2022 vintage was a gift to Burgundy, offering a rare combination of quantity and exceptional quality. A sun-drenched growing season resulted in grapes with fantastic maturity and sunny fruit profiles, yet the wine retains a surprising level of acidity and tension. It is a vintage that is generous and approachable in its youth but possesses the backbone to evolve beautifully in the cellar.

Pairing

This is a wine that loves food with a bit of earth. It pairs wonderfully with a classic Coq au Vin, roasted duck breast, or a wild mushroom tart. For a nod to the producer’s heritage, try it with unagi (grilled eel) or a slightly spicy beef tataki - the wine's structure and fruit can easily handle the rich, umami flavors.

Serving

Serve at approximately 15 to 17°C. While delicious upon opening, this Fixin benefits greatly from 30 minutes in a decanter or a large glass to allow its muscular structure to soften and its floral aromas to fully bloom.