An elegant and approachable Côte de Beaune Pinot Noir from the elevated Les Mondes Rondes vineyard above Beaune, presented in a convenient 375 ml half-bottle.
The 2022 Les Mondes Rondes shows ripe cherry, raspberry, and blackberry with subtle spice and earthy notes. The palate is fresh and supple, with fine tannins and enough structure to accompany food while retaining the delicacy expected of Pinot Noir.
Region: Burgundy, France
Appellation: Côte de Beaune AOC
Vineyard: Les Mondes Rondes
Vintage: 2022
Producer: Domaine Poulleau Père & Fils
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Bottle Size: 375 ml — Half Bottle
Alcohol: Approximately 13% ABV
Style: Dry Red Burgundy
Les Mondes Rondes is situated high on the Montagne de Beaune, at approximately 360 meters above sea level.
The elevated position contributes freshness to the Pinot Noir and helps distinguish the Côte de Beaune appellation from the warmer vineyards immediately below it.
Domaine Poulleau is a small family estate established in 1960, with holdings across several Côte de Beaune appellations.
Les Mondes Rondes is one of the domaine's established cuvées and offers an accessible expression of Pinot Noir from the hills above Beaune.
Nose:
Cherry and ripe raspberry initially, followed by blackberry, subtle floral notes, spice, and a restrained earthy character.
Palate:
Fresh and supple, with red and darker berry fruit through the center of the palate. Fine tannins provide structure without making the wine severe.
Structure:
Light to medium-bodied, with fresh acidity and fine-grained tannins. The 2022 vintage provides good fruit concentration while maintaining the wine's naturally elegant character.
Finish:
Balanced and persistent, with cherry, raspberry, spice, and a subtle earthy note.
Les Mondes Rondes 2022 is a useful example of accessible red Burgundy.
Made entirely from Pinot Noir, it combines the ripe fruit of the 2022 vintage with the freshness provided by the elevated vineyard.
The wine emphasizes cherry, raspberry, and blackberry rather than heavy extraction, with fine tannins and subtle spice adding structure.
It is sufficiently approachable to drink without extended cellaring, but has enough concentration to develop additional savory complexity over the next several years.
2022 was a warm and successful vintage in Burgundy, producing Pinot Noir with good ripeness and generally attractive fruit.
In Les Mondes Rondes, the vintage gives a relatively generous expression of cherry and raspberry fruit while the vineyard's elevation helps retain freshness.
The result is approachable in youth, with sufficient tannin and acidity for short- to medium-term development.
Drink: Now–2030
Preferred Window: 2026–2029
The 2022 is drinking well now.
At present, the emphasis is on fresh cherry, raspberry and darker berry fruit, with fine tannins and subtle spice.
Over the next several years, the primary fruit should gradually develop toward dried cherry, forest floor, mushroom, and more savory spice.
Because this is the 375 ml half-bottle, I would favor drinking it somewhat earlier than the equivalent 750 ml bottle. Smaller formats generally evolve more quickly because of the greater ratio of oxygen to wine.
There is therefore little reason to cellar this particular format for an extended period.
Serving Temperature: 15–16°C
Open approximately 20–30 minutes before serving. Decanting should not normally be necessary.
The 375 ml half-bottle contains approximately three generous restaurant pours.
It is particularly useful when a full bottle is unnecessary and makes an excellent format for one or two guests over dinner.
For The Tasting Room, it also creates an opportunity to offer mature or higher-quality Burgundy to guests who may want only a small quantity of red wine with a particular course.
The combination of Pinot Noir fruit, fresh acidity, and fine tannins makes this versatile at the table.
Recommended Pairings:
Duck Breast · Roast Chicken · Pork Tenderloin · Braised Veal · Beef Tenderloin · Mushroom Risotto · Charcuterie · Gruyère · Comté · Époisses
Pair with duck breast, roast chicken, or mushroom risotto.
The wine's cherry and raspberry fruit works naturally with poultry, while its acidity and fine tannins provide enough structure for pork or veal.
For a cheese pairing, try Époisses or Comté.
The 375 ml format is particularly attractive for a couple who wants Champagne or white Burgundy through the first part of dinner, then a small bottle of red Burgundy with the main course.
A straightforward, food-friendly Côte de Beaune Pinot Noir in a format that makes it especially practical for restaurant service.
