Blend: Chardonnay
From: Burgundy, France
Taste: Aromas of Meyer lemon, flint, white flowers, and orchard fruit meet white peach skin, a handful of crushed herb, and a juicy, supple core balanced by an invigorating minerality on the finish and loads of tension on the palate. Rich yet refreshing, this charming Auxey-Duresses blanc encompasses golden elegance.
Pairing: Because white Auxey-Duresses wines hold a balance of "rich yet fresh," they pair well with a number of dishes. Heartier fish dishes work well here, like tuna or salmon. Vegetable risottos, roast chicken, and dishes that incorporate a cream sauce are also fantastic as pairing partners.
About. This wine comes from the estate’s original five-hectare plot in the “Les Hoz” lieu-dit, whose south-facing vines are in the hamlet of Melin, in Auxey-Duresses. Although Les Hoz is located at the bottom of the slope, the parcel is called “Hoz” as a synonym for Hauts, which means high or elevated (i.e. Hautes Côtes de Beaune). Our Burgundy Atlas doesn’t have a super satisfying explanation of why this might be…perhaps it’s because that vineyard marks the entrance of the upper part of Auxey-Duresses? (Sometimes Burgundy is a puzzle.)
Agnès Paquet’s “Les Hoz” vineyard is comprised of a mix of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Chardonnay was planted at the turn of the last century and are now around 90 years old. Both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations took place in barrel, and the wine aged for 12 months in neutral barrels.
