Wine Advisor
Aubert et Pamela Villaine, Bouzeron Aligote 2024
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Kenna Wells
The 2024 Bouzeron opens with yellow and green apple, lifted by a light floral note. The palate takes on an unctuous register yet remains finely proportioned within its medium- to full-bodied frame, its taut acidity providing drive. Subtle Bouzeron salinity further tightens the structure, keeping the wine poised yet exciting and moreish.
About the Producer
If Aubert de Villaine, manager of Domaine de la Romanée Conti, produces wines on his personal property in Côte Chalonnaise, it is clear that they are not intended to be offered as simple "small" wines ...... They are little wonders of fruit and purity, very natural and always particularly at home at the table. Domaine de Villaine's Chardonnay, Aligoté and Pinot Noir vines are grown entirely on the east/south-east facing slopes. The poor soils, with a high limestone content, lie between 270 and 350 metres above sea level, ensuring good control of yields. The warm microclimate favours the ripening of the grapes. The appellation is very small, making it one of the must-haves of Burgundy for connoisseurs. Compared to Chardonnay, Aligot is much less well known, but it is one of the most interesting grape varieties. It is fruity, delicate, round, with great life, light in substance and very fine. To make good wine, it is essential to produce healthy grapes at high ripeness. To achieve this, Aubert and Pamela de Villaine have opted for organic farming methods since 1986 (the estate has had French quality certification since 1997) and even for the biodynamic concept (no certification). In order to respect the natural balance, no pesticides or herbicides are used and the rows are grassed. Fertiliser is limited to organic plant compost. In the cellars, the wines are made with as little intervention as possible and as naturally as possible. Other means used by the winery include the selection and planting of good vines, strict pruning and de-budding and, if necessary, the thinning of young vines as harvest time approaches. The result was a balanced harvest with yields that were on average 20% lower than those allowed by the regulations. The grapes sent to vats, vats and barrels thus have all the potential of their terroir. The wines that have risen to the top belong to the best of the region.
