Fixin

The Fixin AOC is a municipal appellation within the Côte de Nuits wine region in Côte-d’Or, covering the municipalities of Fixin and Brochon, and has been recognized since 1936. This appellation includes five climats classified as Fixin Premier Cru. Fixin wines are also eligible for the Côte de Nuits-Villages appellation.

The reputation of Burgundy wines is well established, and the Côte de Nuits, which stretches from the outskirts of Dijon to Nuits-Saint-Georges, is home to the greatest red wine appellations. But if Fixin isn’t among the most famous names, it’s because its prestigious neighbor, Gevrey-Chambertin, has long overshadowed it. Yet it is high time to discover this appellation.

With its 89 hectares, 85 of which are planted with Pinot Noir, Fixin—if only in terms of area—can hardly compete with its neighbor Gevrey and its 400 hectares. Fixin also has no Grand Cru-classified vineyards and only five Premier Cru-classified vineyards, at the top of which stand the Clos de la Perrière and the Clos du Chapitre. Furthermore, part of the production is marketed under the "Côte de Nuits villages" appellation, which, aside from Fixin, includes the other communes of the Côte de Nuits that do not have a large enough area to have their own communal appellation. Fixin has therefore long cultivated its discretion and was even, for a long time, a well-kept secret. Indeed, the appellation’s relative obscurity has spared Fixin wines from experiencing price inflation as severe as that of wines from more prestigious Côte de Nuits appellations, but connoisseurs of fine Burgundy wines have always known that the commune’s terroirs are capable of producing wines of exceptional quality.

The vineyards of Fixin and Fixin Premier Cru face east and southeast. The soils are fairly uniform brown limestone in the Premier Cru vineyards. The vines are planted at an altitude of between 350 and 380 meters. More marly subsoils appear in certain areas. The appellation’s approximately 96 hectares yield a production of about 4,000 hectoliters per year.

The Fixin and Fixin Premier Cru appellations produce red wines made from the Pinot Noir grape and, to a lesser extent, white wines made from the Chardonnay grape. As for reds, Fixin wine is what is known as a “winter wine,” as it benefits from aging in the bottle.

Indeed, Fixin features clay-limestone soils of remarkable geological complexity, soils on which Pinot Noir—Burgundy’s great noble red grape variety—thrives like nowhere else. Visually, Fixin’s red wines display a beautiful, deep purple hue that hints at a pronounced tannic structure. On the nose, notes of licorice, tobacco, and spices complement the fruit, with blackcurrant as the dominant note. On the palate, when young, Fixin red wines are sometimes a bit rough around the edges; their tannins are lively but rarely aggressive. This tannic bite makes them excellent wines for aging, which—especially for the Premiers Crus—come into their own between 5 and 10 years of age. Once the tannins have softened, the palate offers beautiful length and exemplary structure. A touch of acidity may emerge, but without astringency, lending the wine its nobility and persistence while revealing aromas of black fruit. These wines are best enjoyed with red meat, poultry, or a rich cheese platter.

Often tannic and somewhat harsh in its youth, a mature Fixin offers a round, lively attack and a solid structure. It is remarkably rich and has a delicate texture. Its qualities are best appreciated in the wines produced by Domaine René Bouvier, Domaine Méo-Camuzet, or Domaine Charlopin-Parizot.

The Fixin appellation is already low-key in itself, but when it refers to a white wine, it is even more so. As mentioned, only 4 hectares are dedicated to white grape varieties—specifically Chardonnay—when it comes to the village appellation. Here again, these are wines for connoisseurs. Pale yellow in color, with a nose hinting at hazelnut and bergamot. On the palate, the minerality makes these wines crisp and savory, with hints of fern and hawthorn. They are perfect for pairing with Burgundy snails, as well as grilled salmon or white meat. These are original wines with character.