Bouzeron 2020 Domaine de Villaine

The Bouzeron 2020 from Domaine de Villaine is a golden Aligoté true to its variety, vibrant and fruity, marking in 2020 a return to more classic proportions after the exceptionally rich and concentrated 2019 vintage. A sophisticated refreshing white, with an iodine-driven attack, gourmand texture and mineral finish, built to age a decade or more.

Terroir and vineyard

The Bouzeron comes from 17 parcels of Aligoté planted on the appellation's finest hillsides, using the so-called golden clones that yield smaller harvests and finer aromatic wines than the green types. The vines are farmed organically, certified since 1986. Harvest is by hand, whole bunches pressed slowly and gently. The musts ferment in oak barrels, vats and foudres under temperature control, then the wine ages on lees to build creaminess.

Tasting profile

The colour is pale gold with green glints. The nose brings together ripe white fruit, lemon zest, flint and white flowers, alongside fresh garden herbs, green apple, fresh bread, mint and beeswax. On the palate, the attack is light and iodine-inflected, revealing fine fluid matter, roundness, a crunchy fruit with peach and delicate floral notes. The texture is satiny, subtly waxy, lively in acidity, with a chalky structure. The finish, saline and mineral, carries fine bitters that balance the wine's richness.

The domaine

Founded in 1971 by Aubert de Villaine, co-owner of Romanée Conti, and his wife Pamela, Domaine de Villaine has been run since 2003 by his nephew Pierre de Benoist, who oversaw expansion into Rully. The Bouzeron, the domaine's flagship cuvée, comes from the small appellation created in 1998 for Aligoté.

Food pairing

This Bouzeron pairs beautifully with sea bass, seafood gratin, fresh goat cheese or a plateau of oysters. Served around 12°C, it's ready to drink now, or will age a decade or so in cellar, gaining depth.