1996 Camille Giroud "Les Prevolles" - Burgund - 3 Flaschen (0,75 l)

Camille Giroud is a Burgundy business based in Beaune, the heart of the region. The company owns just over a hectare of vineyards, with the vast majority of wines made from grapes sourced from sales of fruit or wines and from contract growers located across the wider Burgundy region. This includes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from famous vineyards including Chambertin, Corton, Echezeaux and Clos de Vougeot.

The house was founded in 1865, and remained under the ownership of the Giroud family for 137 years. During this time, it developed a reputation for the ageworthiness of its wines.

The wines were heavily extracted and aged in cask and bottle for seven years or more before release, and at its peak the business produced over 100,000 bottles per annum. Many old vintages are still for sale and drinking well, but difficulties with the ever-growing inventory led the family to sell the business. The sale included 300,000 bottles of wine dating back to 1937.

Camille Giroud was bought by a consortium of producers led by Ann Colgin of California's Colgin Cellars. Annual production was cut down and winemaking methods underwent wholesale changes to produce a supple, more modern wine style – as well as a more consistent level of quality.

Much of what was introduced was nevertheless traditional, including a wooden basket press and open wooden fermentation vats. Old casks were replaced with modern barrels. However, gentle oak treatment, with only 10-20 percent new wood, and minimal racking means that individual cuvées can show quite distinctive characters. Fruit is usually 100 percent destemmed and wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.