Mâconnais, Burgundy, France

A new buzzy, classic-in-all-the-right-ways Burgundian Pinot from a young phenom. Roc Breïa is a project by Theo Dancer, son of the wildly famous Chassagne-Montrachet winemaker Vincent Dancer. At 23 (excuse me), Theo already has incredible experience learning from his dad’s fine, rare and delicate Burgundies, which he now stewards with long presses and vinification without settling, sulphur or new oak. If helming his family winery wasn’t enough, Theo has taken on two projects. At Theo Dancer, he experiments with grapes from regions across France like Jura and Savoie. At Roc Breïa, he’s transforming one 10 hectare vineyard in Burgundy’s southernmost region, Mâconnais from the ground up. Organic farming and thoughtful planting between vines proceed gentle macerations with a portion of whole cluster before maturation in old 500 L barrels. While most Burgundian producers make many cuvées, Theo has decided to make only two: white and red. This 100% Pinot Noir from 35+ year old vines and a rigorous barrel selection is the red. As the project is so unlike his neighbours, he chooses to bottle it as a Vin de France, so it can become uniquely itself without the weight of the region’s expectations. Brand new to market it felt so fancy, delicate and easy to adore on first sip. Freeze dried raspberries, cinnamon stick, delicately roasted nuts and a handful of good compost. Pair with feeling endlessly impressed by Gen Z’s fashion, taste & wild ambition, also with roast chicken!