Aloxe Corton 1er cru Les Chaillots 2022 Domaine d'Ardhuy

The Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Les Chaillots 2022 from Domaine d'Ardhuy is one of the most powerful and characteristic Premier Crus of the appellation, born from the exceptional stony terroir that gives the vineyard its name and identity. A powerful, structured wine built for the cellar, it combines the finesse of Côte de Beaune wines with the velvety depth characteristic of the Côte de Nuits.

The terroir of Les Chaillots

The name Les Chaillots refers directly to the stony soils of this vineyard, where chailles, the small limestone pebbles that define Aloxe-Corton's identity, form the major component of the soil. Domaine d'Ardhuy's two parcels in this climat lie beneath Les Perrières and Les Grèves, at the mouth of the Combe de Pernand-Vergelesses, on a highly mineral slope. This terroir of silts, small stones and limestone chailles is exceptionally well suited to viticulture: water penetrates easily and evaporates readily, while the pebbles warmed by the sun radiate heat to the soil around the vine roots, ensuring natural early ripening and remarkable aromatic concentration. The domaine's vines average around 40 years old, with several Pinot Noir selections planted on this distinctive substrate. Winemaking follows the domaine's rigorous philosophy: hand-harvested grapes, careful sorting on arrival at the cellar, destemming, alcoholic fermentation with alternating punch-downs and remontage for delicate extraction, then ageing in French oak with new wood proportions suited to the vintage's power, for 15 to 18 months.

Tasting profile

The robe is a deep ruby red, dense and luminous. The nose is powerful, elegant and complex, with aromas of dark fruits, black cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant unfolding with intensity, lifted by roasted and spiced notes, sweet spice, persistent violet and a subtle leather touch that marks the mineral imprint of the chailles. On the palate, the wine is broad, tannic and perfectly balanced, silky and well-structured with lovely freshness. The texture is fleshy with a fine grain of tannin from careful extraction, and oak integration is seamless. The finish is long and mineral, refined, underscoring the elegance and ageing potential of this Premier Cru. A wine of character and nobility, with powerful and profound matter, destined for the next ten to fifteen years.

The domaine

Domaine d'Ardhuy is a historic Burgundy property ideally situated at Corgoloin, between the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. With more than 125 years of history, the domaine now cultivates with rigour and passion one of the region's finest mosaics of terroirs across nearly forty-two hectares, from Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot to the Premier Crus of Savigny-lès-Beaune. Farmed in certified organic viticulture, vinifications are minimalist, conducted with indigenous yeasts, using gentle extraction and bespoke ageing to reveal each parcel's personality without artifice.

Food pairing

This Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Les Chaillots pairs beautifully with venison loin in grand veneur sauce, game birds such as partridge with cabbage or roasted woodcock, duck with cherries, escargot fricassée with ceps, grilled beef rib or aged cheese such as Époisses. One hour of decanting is recommended in its youth. Served between 15 and 17°C, it will reveal the full mineral power, tannic richness and depth of an Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru built for long ageing.