Albert Bichot – Aloxe Corton 1’er Cru Clos des Maréchaudes (ECO) 2023 75 cl.

Albert Bichot Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Clos des Maréchaudes is an elegant and characterful Burgundy with clear Premier Cru pedigree. The wine comes from Domaine du Pavillon’s monopole vineyard Clos des Maréchaudes, a walled site on the Corton hill that is unusual in containing both Grand Cru and Premier Cru within the same clos. The Premier Cru section lies in the lower part of the vineyard, where the soils are slightly deeper and less clay-rich, and its east-southeast exposure makes it one of the sunniest climats on the hill.

In the glass, the wine shows an intense aroma of red and dark berries, with notes of cherry, raspberry and blackberry, followed by fine nuances of gentle spice. With a little air and maturity, it develops more complex hints of tea and cocoa. The palate is concentrated yet balanced, with soft tannins, a velvety texture and a long, flavourful finish where the fruit lingers beautifully.

The wine is made from 100 percent pinot noir grown on a vineyard of around 1.40 hectares, with vines averaging 35–40 years of age. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted on arrival at the winery. Fermentation and maceration take place in temperature-controlled wooden vats over 18–21 days, before the wine is aged for 14–16 months in oak barrels, of which 25–35 percent are new. The result is a style that combines the natural structure of Aloxe-Corton with the polished and precise winemaking of Domaine du Pavillon.

This is a wine that pairs beautifully with roasted or braised meat dishes, especially beef, duck, pork and game. It also works very well with semi-aged and aged cheeses. Serve it at 16–17°C, and it has an ageing potential of 5 to 7 years or more depending on the vintage and storage conditions.