70% Pinot Noir, 30% Gamay

Sextant is the project of Julien Altaber, a negociant winemaker based in St Aubin, Burgundy. For Julien, Sextant is about "Special cuvées, pet-nats, skins, fun and non-traditional wines". The cellar is seen as a place to experiment and create, rather than only making terroir-based wines with big appellation names.

Originally from the Auvergne, Julien Altaber started his career at the side of Dominique Derain in Saint-Aubin. Keen to produce his own cuvées, the two struck a deal whereby Julien would continue to help Dominique - all the while learning his trade - and in return he would help Julien source fruit and loan him the use of his cellar to produce his wines. Julien has now taken over from Dominique and runs both Derain and Sextant. Julien owns a 90-year-old Aligoté parcel plot in Puligny that he bought in 2009, and he also works with several organic growers in the Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise. A little Gamay and Pinot Gris comes in from Beaujolais as well.

One of our favourites from Julien! The Coteaux Bourguignons is around 2/3 Gamay from Beaujolais and 1/3 Pinot from Cote Chalonnaise. Partially destemmed, the fruit undergoes a 10-day maceration in tank, then heads off to old barrels for 8 months. This is one of Julien's "Spring wines", where he tries to capture in bottle the vibrancy of a wine waking up from a winter slumber.

Tasting Notes : Fresh and vibrant, dark cherries, bright red fruits.

Food Pairing : Morteau sausage with lentils, Rabbit terrine or anything else that’s rustic, simple, and delicious !

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The Geeky Stuff :

• Grapes : 70% Pinot Noir & 30% Gamay
• Viticulture : Organic
• Harvesting : Manual
• Yeast : Wild
• ABV : 12.5%
• Elevage : 6 months in old Burgundian barrels
• SO2 : Minimal at bottling