Bourgogne Chardonnay
Nature d'Ursulines 2021
This wine is made from selected plots, with no sulfur used during vinification to capture its true nature as closely as possible, with nothing added and nothing taken away.
This results in a natural, pure Burgundy, dense and elegant, its character underscored by a powerful structure with good volume. The unbridled expression of a free wine.
Origin
This wine, Bourgogne Nature d'Ursulines comes for the first time in white! It comes from our Chardonnay contract located in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits in organic viticulture that we have been following since the 2012 vintage. It seemed logical to sublimate this terroir with a sulfur-free vinification.This cuvée is only made in the best years.
This appellation is unique as it is considered to be a regional appellation, though it is limited to a restricted area. The vineyards run parallel to those of the Côte de Nuits (to the west), but are higher in altitude. The soil is composed of limestone outcrops that Chardonnay thrives in and that lend character and lovely freshness to the wine. A generic wine with class!
Viticulture
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Soils: predominantly limestone, soil a little richer in some parts.
Orientation: East
Surface area under vine: 0.7064 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 27 hL/ha
Average age of the vines: 17 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 30 September 2021.
The grapes were handpicked.
At the winery: the whole bunches of grapes were gently pressed for 2½ hours. The temperature of the must was brought down to 12°C then was immediately transferred to barrels with no settling to preserve a maximum of lees. Long fermentation using indigenous yeasts for added complexity and freshness.
Ageing
Maturation: aged for 15 months with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. A proportion of 37% new gently toasted French oak barrels were used for very delicate oaking.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a subtle, delicate touch of oak were used.
Bottling
Bottling: using gravity in March 2023.
Number of bottles: 2,508.
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 4 to 7 years.
Tasting notes
With its lovely pale golden color, this wine reveals aromas of white-fleshed fruit, lemon and a hint of hazelnut. On the palate, this wine is buttery, with a distinctive mineral finish.
