Côte de Beaune 2018
Within this relatively restricted area, this appellation lies on the upper slopes of the Montagne de Beaune.
Origin
When this Beaune’s AOC was instituted in 1936, it was the higher altitude vineyards which became the Côte de Beaune appellation. A specific appellation of the commune, rather small, it produces one third white wines (Chardonnay) to two-thirds red (Pinot Noir).
The Côte de Beaune vineyards lie on the upper slopes of the Montagne de Beaune just above the Premier Cru plots.
Viticulture
Grape variety: chardonnay
Soils: clay-limestone.
Orientation: East.
Surface area under vine: 0.4626 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 67 hL/ha
Average age of the vine: 42 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 21 September 2018.
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 of 350 & 228L with no settling to preserve a maximum of lees. Long fermentation using indigenous yeasts for added complexity and freshness.
Ageing
Maturation: aged for 14 months with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. Vat for 4 months. 12% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: 350 L & 228 L. Oak of French origin toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a subtle, delicate touch of oak were used.
Bottling
Bottling: The wine was bentonite fined and very gently filtered before being bottled using gravity on March 2, 2020.
Number of bottles: 3,734.
Vintage
2018, abundance and excellence
After a winter that was almost too mild, the vintage was notable for two contrasting periods. Spring was sunny and totally devoid of frost, despite some localized episodes of hail, which had major impact on certain plots on the Côte de Nuits, which were hit in June. Then the summer was dry and hot, blocking the ripening process in places. Picking began early, with exceptionally abundant fruit in tip-top condition, offering the potential for some very fine wines.
Ageing potential: from 5 to 10 years.
Tasting notes
With its beautiful pale yellow color, this wine develops a very intense bouquet of yellow fruits and white flowers but also a very nice minerality. On the palate, it is a very tasty wine, almost appetizing with a very good length! The finish has a slightly tannic texture.
