2019 Tino Kuban Les Jardins Vivants Les Reipes Blanc 1.5L

The 2019 Tino Kuban Les Jardins Vivants Les Reipes Blanc is an ultra-rare cult masterpiece of natural viticulture. Furthermore, 2019 represents the inaugural vintage of this historic estate in Meursault. Berlin-born vigneron Tino Kuban took over the revered domaine of the late Bernard van Berg. Consequently, this minuscule allocation commands legendary status among avant-garde Burgundy collectors.

Additionally, Kuban honed his craft working alongside icons like Pierre Overnoy and Jean-Yves Bizot. He redefines traditional varietal boundaries through radical low-yield viticulture. Therefore, this debut release delivers breathtaking concentration, reductive tension, and pure site expression.

Terroir & Viticulture

Les Reipes is a singular, high-altitude parcel situated near the borders of Meursault and Saint-Aubin. Specifically, the vineyard features thin, stony topsoil over dense Jurassic limestone bedrock. Ancient, deep-rooted Aligoté vines extract intense mineral salinity from the subsoil. As a result, the fruit develops extraordinary natural tension and dry extract.

Meanwhile, Tino Kuban manages his 1.5 hectares with obsessive organic and biodynamic care. He works every row by hand to promote natural soil biodiversity. Furthermore, Kuban enforces microscopic yields, often picking below 10 hectoliters per hectare. Thus, each concentrated cluster captures the raw energy of the 2019 growing season.

Vinification & Craftsmanship

In the cuverie, Tino Kuban practices a purist, non-interventionist winemaking philosophy. First, whole clusters undergo gentle, gravity-fed pressing without mechanical pumps. Spontaneous fermentation begins slowly with indigenous yeasts in custom Stockinger Austrian oak barrels. In addition, Kuban completely avoids temperature control or commercial additives.

Subsequently, the wine matures on its fine lees for roughly two years without racking. Kuban utilizes new Stockinger barrels to sculpt texture without imparting heavy toast flavors. Moreover, he avoids sulfur additions throughout elevage and bottling. Finally, the wine is bottled by gravity without fining or filtration to safeguard its wild energy.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, the wine presents a hazy straw-gold hue with shimmering emerald reflections. The nose immediately erupts with aromas of lemon oil, green orchard pear, and white blossoms. In addition, Kuban’s signature flinty reduction, crushed chalk, and pulverized river stones emerge with air.

On the palate, the wine delivers astonishing dry extract, oily breadth, and razor-sharp velocity. An electric laser of limestone acidity drives cleanly through the dense citrus core. Meanwhile, savory notes of gunflint, raw almond, and sea spray coat the entire tongue. Consequently, the finish persists for well over a minute with intense salinity and chalky grip.

Technical Specifications

• Producer: Les Jardins Vivants (Tino Kuban)
• Winemaker: Tino Kuban
• Estate Origin: Formerly Domaine Bernard van Berg (Meursault, Burgundy)
• Cuvée / Lieu-dit: Les Reipes
• Classification: Vin de France
• Varietal: 100% Aligoté (Old Vines)
• Vintage: 2019 (Inaugural Estate Vintage)
• Farming: Certified Organic / Biodynamic practices
• Vinification: Spontaneous native yeast fermentation, gravity pressing, zero sulfur added
• Maturation: ~20–24 months on fine lees in new Stockinger oak casks
• Production: Extremely limited (~1–2 barrels; fewer than 300 bottles produced)
• Volume: 750ml

Service & Cellar Potential

Serve this natural white Burgundy between 11°C–13°C (52°F–55°F) in wide universal stemware. Additionally, we strongly advise decanting this bottle for 45 to 60 minutes prior to service. This aeration allows the initial reductive tension to dissipate and reveals intricate floral nuances.

Pair this singular white with roasted langoustines, turbot in butter, or aged mountain cheeses. Furthermore, the wine possesses extraordinary concentration and natural preservative power. As a result, collectors can savor it today or cellar it safely through 2035 and beyond.