Bourgogne Aligote Les Champs d'Argent 2023 Charles Lachaux

Tasting Note Bourgogne Aligote Les Champs d'Argent 2023

Aromas of white lemon peel and white pear are accompanied by a chalky, slightly salty nuance hidden beneath the fruity notes. There are no hints of vanilla or toasted bread, as no new oak was used at all. On the palate, it feels taut rather than full-bodied; while the acidity is crisp, it's smoothed out by the warmth of the vintage, and the finish is dry with a stony texture. It's ready to drink now but retains enough structure to benefit from a bit of cellaring.

Grape Varieties

Cepage, 100 % Aligoté,

Aligoté is a white grape variety distinct from Burgundy's well known Chardonnay. Although approved by the regional appellation, it has long been considered a lesser variety compared to Chardonnay. Old vines, marl soil, and high natural acidity, these are the very elements that have made this variety a success in the Les Champs d'Argent wine, imparting a crisp citrus character to the wine rather than heaviness.

Cellaring Potential

This wine is best enjoyed by 2034. Acidity dominates this wine; furthermore, since it is unfiltered and contains no added sulfites, its flavor will continue to evolve in the bottle. There is no need to decant it, just enjoy it directly in the glass. Serve chilled to around 12 °C and allow it to warm slightly in the glass.

About Charles Lachaux

Charles Lachaux runs a micro-negociant label under his own name, separate from Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux where he made his reputation. It started in 2018 with Aligoté, still the only variety the family owns under this brand, after a blind tasting where an Aligoté stood up to serious Premier and Grand Cru Chardonnays. Everything else comes from young growers he knows personally, all farming organically or biodynamically. Hand harvest, vertical press, wild yeasts, no sulphur until malolactic fermentation is done, 70 to 90% whole bunches for the reds. One difference from the domaine: bottling inside a year rather than around 18 months, so the wines drink well young and still age. The range covers Aligoté plus villages and premier cru reds from Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny and Nuits-Saint-Georges. And volumes are tiny, so bottles sell out on release.

Terroir & Climate

Les Champs d'Argent is located at the foot of the Vosne-Romanée slope and is blessed with very pale, marly soil. Mergel is a soil composed of a mixture of clay and limestone; this combination retains moisture during dry periods while preserving the wine's crisp acidity. The cool, continental climate of Côte de Nuits takes care of the rest.

Winemaking

By pressing the grapes directly as whole bunches, without separating them from the stems, the juice remains clear, and the phenolic content is kept low. Fermentation in the barrel is carried out by wild yeast. The wine is then aged for 12 months without the use of new barrels to preserve the chalky and citrus aromas. Bottling is carried out without fining, filtration, or the addition of sulfur. The vines are cultivated according to the principles of biodynamic agriculture; they are not hedged but are allowed to grow upward rather than being cut back to ground level.

Food Pairing

The sharp acidity and salty finish make this wine an excellent pairing for seafood. Oysters are the perfect match, no sauce needed. Gougères (cheese pastries Burgundian) also pair well, as the wine helps cut through their richness. Sudac topped with Beurre Blanc sauce is another excellent pairing for the same reason. Fresh goat cheese is also a recommended pairing, as the acidity of the wine and the cheese balance each other out.