Aloxe-Corton
1er Cru Les Valozières 2021
Often presented as the little brothers of the Cortons, the Aloxe-Cortons enjoy a stronger reputation than the neighboring village appellations…
Origin
The Aloxe-Corton appellation covers 119 ha on the territory of the town of Aloxe-Corton and 8.5 ha on that of Ladoix-Serrigny, at the beginning of the Côte de Beaune. Nearly half of the vineyard area is classified as Grand Cru and no less than 17 classified Premier Cru. There are two types: those located on the Pernand-Vergelesses side and for the one that interests us The Valozières bordering the Grands Crus from below: the exhibition is perfect in the east, the land is quite heavy and deep giving wines a character structured and powerful. "Valozières" refers to the wicker that grew there.
Viticulture
Grape variety: pinot noir
Soils: mainly clayey deep soil.
Orientation: East
Surface area under vine: 0.2552 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 28 hL/ha
Average age of the vines: 57 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 25 September 2021.
The grapes were handpicked. First sorting in the vineyard, second on the sorting table upon receipt of the harvest.
At the winery: 50% of grapes were destemmed but not crushed (they were left whole) and were gravity-fed into tanks. Maceration with 50% whole bunches lasted a total of 16 days including 3 days of cold maceration (12°C). Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used). 4 punchings of the cap.
Ageing
Maturation: aged on the lees for 11 months with no racking using a proportion of 33% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time for very delicate oaking.
Bottling
Bottling: the wine was not fined but was very gently filtered before being bottled using gravity in October 2022.
Number of bottles: 881.
Vintage
A complex vintage!
It is both a winegrower and winemaker’s vintage ! 2021 will unfortunately be remembered quantity-wise for a long time by its disastrous frost early april. Direct consequence: this is probably one of the smallest vintages ever in Burgundy . It offers a very nice and subtle representation of each terroir and its expression, with fruity, freshness and great finesse wines.
Ageing potential: from 6 to 10 years.
Awards
Tim Atkin - 90 points
Tim Atkin - 91/100
Tasting notes
With its brilliant garnet-red colour, this wine reveals floral aromas such as violets and peonies, as well as aromas of small red fruits. The palate, which combines finesse and delicacy, reveals great length!
