2000 Micro Cuvée Fixin, Charles de Valliere Wine characteristics: The Fixin appellation, which was officially recognized in 1936, produces both Village and Premier Cru appellations. The production is largely red (Pinot Noir) but there are some plots of white (Chardonnay). The red wines are known as "winter wines" because they have to spend some time in the bottle. Highly colored, they are a brilliant deep purple or what the Burgundians call 'deep medium red'. The bouquet consists of floral scents (violet, peony), fruit (black currant, Morello cherry, quince), animal scents, musk and pepper. Cherry stone is also quite common. Often tannic and a bit harsh in their youth, with age the Fixin acquire a heightened and rounded attack and solid structure. Their fullness is remarkable and their texture delicate. Situation: Fixin (pronounced "Fissin") is located in the Côte de Nuits region between Dijon and Gevrey-Chambertin. In 1860 it merged with the neighboring hamlet of Fixey. In addition to wine cellars, points of interest for visitors include the 10th-century church of Saint-Antoine, the manor of La Perrière where the monks of Cîteaux once came to enjoy the good air and good wine, the famous statue of François Rude in the Parc Noisot of Napoleon in the process of becoming immortal, a particularly beautiful communal washing place and the slate-covered village bread oven. There are a thousand things to see here, not to mention many hospitable wine cellars.