Ladoix blanc 1er cru Le Rognet 2024 Domaine d'Ardhuy

The Ladoix 1er Cru Blanc Le Rognet Monopole 2024 from Domaine d'Ardhuy is one of the most precious and discreet cuvées from the domaine, awarded two stars in the Hachette Wine Guide 2026 for the 2023 vintage. A Chardonnay of absolute monopoly, on soils of Corton-Charlemagne that is classified only as Ladoix Premier Cru for the simple reason that it lay fallow at the time of the appellation's official classification. In short, a little Corton-Charlemagne.

The terroir and the monopoly

The story of Le Rognet is a fascinating Burgundian anomaly. Rogner, from the Latin ROTUNDIARE, means to trim the edges to correct a contour, and reflects the history of this parcel whose boundaries were modified to separate it from the climat Le Corton of Aloxe-Corton. The 79 ares of this monopoly parcel sit quite high on the Corton hillside, around 340 metres altitude, on a fairly steep slope facing due south-east, directly adjoining the Corton-Charlemagne climat. The geological composition is identical to that of the Grand Cru, with marly-chalky soils from the middle Oxfordian era, a substrate of remarkable precision and mineral richness that explains why this Chardonnay produces rich, powerful wines typical of the site and in no way inferior to their illustrious neighbour. If this parcel is only Ladoix 1er Cru and not Corton-Charlemagne, it is solely because it lay fallow at the time of official classification. Winemaking follows the domaine's philosophy faithfully, with hand-harvested fruit, pressing and débourbage, alcoholic fermentation in French oak barrels, some new and others having held one or two previous vintages, ageing on fine lees, malolactic fermentation, and at least eight months of ageing before bottling.

Tasting profile

The 2024 vintage, which the domaine describes as a year of struggle and rigour, has ultimately yielded wines of remarkable purity and precision among the Chardonnays of the Côte de Beaune. The colour is a bright pale gold, limpid and luminous. The nose is expressive and immediately refined, with aromas of ripe white fruit, peach and pear, underscored by the characteristic saline minerality of the terroir, accompanied by delicate white flowers, fresh citrus and a hint of apricot. Notes of dried fruits and orange peel gradually enrich this developing palate. On the palate, the wine presents itself elegantly and lively, with harmonious balance between fresh acidity and fruity richness. The texture is ample and creamy, the oak finely judged and perfectly integrated, the finish persistent with real length on the minerality. A refreshing tension promises remarkable cellaring potential over five to eight years.

The domaine

Domaine d'Ardhuy is a historic Burgundy property, ideally situated in Corgoloin, between the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. With more than 125 years of history, the domaine today cultivates with rigour and passion one of the region's finest mosaics of terroirs across nearly forty-two hectares, from the Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot to the Premiers Crus of Savigny-lès-Beaune, and including the discreet terroirs of Ladoix and Corton. Managed under certified organic agriculture, winemaking is minimalist, conducted with indigenous yeasts, gentle extraction and bespoke ageing to reveal without artifice the character of each parcel.

Food and wine pairing

This Ladoix 1er Cru Blanc Le Rognet Monopole will pair beautifully with turbot steaks roasted on one side, brill in beurre blanc sauce, grilled sea bream with fresh herbs, scallops in chive cream, Bresse chicken in champagne sauce or an aged Brie. It will also find fine harmony with shellfish and crustaceans, or asparagus risotto with Parmesan. Served between 12 and 14 °C, with 30 minutes of decanting recommended, it will reveal all the saline richness, mineral precision and fruity generosity of a monopoly Chardonnay at the very foot of Corton-Charlemagne.