Produced by Maison Lou Dumont, Bourgogne Rouge reflects the meticulous philosophy of founder Koji Nakada, one of Burgundy’s most respected adopted vignerons. Born in Japan, Nakada moved to Burgundy in the 1990s to immerse himself in the region’s centuries-old winemaking traditions, training with several esteemed domaines before founding Maison Lou Dumont in 2000 alongside his Korean wife, Jae Hwa Park. Named after their two children, Louis and Manon, the domaine has become one of Burgundy’s most admired small producers, recognised for wines that combine traditional craftsmanship with remarkable purity and finesse. Working with sustainably farmed vineyards on Burgundy’s classic clay-limestone soils, Nakada favours indigenous yeast fermentations, gentle extraction and patient élevage, allowing each wine to express its origin with clarity and authenticity.
Made from 100% Pinot Noir, Bourgogne Rouge 2023 is fermented with indigenous yeasts before ageing in predominantly older French oak barrels, preserving the fruit rather than marking it with oak. Minimal intervention throughout the élevage, including no bâtonnage and only modest sulphur additions, allows the wine’s natural energy and precision to shine through. The generous yet beautifully balanced 2023 vintage offers vibrant aromas of red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry, complemented by hints of rose petal, sweet spice, forest floor and a subtle earthy minerality. The palate is supple, fresh and finely textured, with silky tannins, bright acidity and an elegant, savoury finish. Drinking beautifully in its youth, yet with the balance to develop additional complexity over the next five to eight years, it is a refined Bourgogne Rouge that comfortably exceeds expectations for its appellation and exemplifies Koji Nakada’s understated, terroir-driven style.