Road Trip to Burgundy Part 2
On Tuesday, my senses were awoken by the magnificent Domaine Chevrot. As I walked through their vineyards, I was amazed by the sight of horses tilling the land, a true testament to the winery's commitment to sustainability.
Domaine Chevrot et Fils is a family-owned winery in Maragnes, a region renowned for producing exceptional wines. For over 100 years, the Chevrot family has been crafting wines that reflect their unique terroir. Today, brothers Pablo and Vincent Chevrot lead the winery's charge, ensuring the continuation of their family's legacy. As I tasted their wines from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aligote, I was transported to the rolling hills and varying soil types that imbued each grape with its unique character.
The horse they use at Domaine Chevrot for vineyard work.
The whites:
The 2020 Hautes-Côtes de Beaune is a delightful wine with a complex nose full of aromas of lemon, peach, nectarine, and spice, with subtle oak undertones. The palate is full-bodied, with vibrant acidity and flavours of stone fruits, jasmine, violet, cumin, vanilla, and toasted wood. The use of oak in this wine is exceptional, adding depth and complexity to the flavour profile. Although the aftertaste is short, the wine has excellent ageing potential, and holding on to it for a few years would be wise. This will allow it to develop further and reach its full potential. 86/100
The 2020 Maragnes white is a wine with a slightly more intense oaky nose compared to the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune due to a higher percentage of new oak used in its production. The wine has a core of ripe peach, apricot, acacia, and clove aromas. On the palate, the Maragnes is full-bodied with high acidity and pronounced spice flavours, making it a complex and flavorful wine. The aftertaste is medium. 85/100
What truly stood out to me was their dedication to highlighting the forgotten grape, Aligoté. This lesser-known varietal had been lovingly nurtured by the winery for years and produced a wine that was truly special. Aligoté is a white grape variety that Chardonnay has overshadowed for many years. However, in recent years, some producers have been trying to highlight this stylish grape variety to offer something new in the market, and success is on the horizon.
The 2020 Tilleul has a medium bright lemon colour. On the nose, it has a charming and ethereal bouquet full of white blossoms, jasmine, lemon, pear, wet gravel, and cream. It is fresh yet ripe, offering a complex and inviting aroma. On the palate, it is dry with high acidity and medium-bodied, showing natural finesse. It has a core of lemon with apricot and minerality, and the aftertaste is medium. Although it is delicious now, it can age for 3-4 years, allowing the wine to develop more complexity and depth. Overall, the Tilleul is a delightful and unique wine that is worth trying for any wine enthusiast looking for something different. 88/100
Grandpa Chevrot led the tour and wine tasting.
The reds:
The 2020 Hautes-Côtes de Beaune is a red wine with a pale ruby colour and a ripe nose with notes of strawberry liqueur, potpourri, dried rose, and earthy tones. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with medium noble tannins and a fruity finish. While the wine may not be impressive or complex, it is an easy-drinking and approachable wine. It is an excellent choice for casual occasions or for those looking for lighter and fruit-forward red wine. 85/100
The 2020 Bourgogne red is a light to medium-bodied red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. It has a pale ruby colour and a delicate nose with aromas of ripe strawberries, violets, and intense rose petal notes. Earthy notes, such as forest floor and mushrooms, also be present. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with soft tannins and refreshing acidity. The finish is pleasant, with the strawberry flavour lingering on the palate. 85/100
The 2020 Maranges red is a medium-bodied Pinot Noir, and it is characterized by its complex nose with aromas of red cherry, sour cherry, and floral notes such as violet and rose. On the palate, the wine has well-worked tannins and refreshing acidity, providing structure and depth to the wine. Its medium-length aftertaste is delicious. 88/100
Domaine Chevrot et Fils' commitment to sustainable viticulture practices was evident in the quality and taste of their wines.
However, the day's highlight was my visit to Domaine Prunier Bonheur, a family-owned estate that spanned over eight hectares across six unique terroirs. Pascal Prunier's passion for winemaking was evident in every detail of the estate. As we tasted the wines in the cellar, he recounted his journey from growing up in a wine family to studying viticulture in Beaune and finally transitioning to organic farming in the 1990s.
Inside the wonderful cellar with Christine Bonheur.
Domaine Prunier Bonheur's all-natural philosophy was an inspiring example of how viticulture could be both sustainable and produce exceptional wines. The lunar calendar guides their vineyard and cellar tasks, and sulfur and copper was only used in specific and exceptional cases. The result is wines that truly express the terroir.
The whites:
The 2020 Saint-Romain La Combe Bazin is a Chardonnay wine with pale lemon colour. On the nose, it exhibits a beautiful bouquet of white blossoms, melon, and minerality. The medium-bodied palate delivers pronounced flint, apricot, and jasmine flavours, complemented by a well-integrated acidity that gives it a refreshing character. The finish is long and enjoyable. 92/100
The 2020 Auxey-Duresses Les Crais has a pale lemon colour indicating its fresh and lively character. On the nose, it is more complex, with a blend of oaky notes and a thick layer of spices, apricot, white blossoms, and acacia. The medium-bodied palate delivers high acidity with a medium-length finish. However, after a couple of years, the wine's ageing will provide excellent balance, resulting in a more refined and elegant flavour profile. 91/100
The reds:
The 2019 Monthélie has a pale ruby colour and delightful ripe red fruits, allspice, clove, and violet aroma. The medium-bodied palate delivers medium smooth tannins and high acidity, making it a refreshing and easy-to-drink wine. The aftertaste is fruity and mineral with medium length, leaving a pleasant and satisfying taste in the mouth. 87/100
The landscape of Meursault.
The 2019 Auxey-Duresses showcase the classic characteristics of Pinot Noir from the region, with a complex nose of red fruit, minerality, and spices. Medium-bodied palate with juicy tannins, high acidity and peppery notes. It is a delicious and well-balanced wine with a long and enjoyable aftertaste. 90/100
The 2018 Monthélie 1er Cru Les Vignes Rondes comes from a vineyard with an average age of vines 40 years old. The soil is predominantly limestone covered with red clay and marl. It has a medium ruby colour, and you'll be delighted by its elegant and distinctive aroma of intense minerality, juicy red cherry, and spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with silky tannins and high acidity that reveals a core of juicy red fruit, clove, and cardamom. The finish is almost long and definitely palatable. 92/100
The 2018 Beaune 1er Cru Les Sizies is an absolute gem of wine. Its deep, ruby colour gives way to a nose that's bursting with juicy redcurrant, blackcurrant, and spice cumin notes. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with smooth yet sturdy tannins and high acidity that give it a beautiful structure. The finish is long and complex, leaving a delicious aftertaste that'll have you wanting more. 92/100
Dinner at Le P'tit Paradis.
As the day ended, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the experiences I had. Dinner at Le P'tit Paradis was a fitting end to a day of sensory delights.
Beaune's picturesque alleyways.