To fans of Burgundy, the name de Villaine is no stranger. Aubert de Villaine is the long-time co-director of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti – arguably the world’s greatest producer of Pinot Noir. He sought less pedigreed pastures to call home and settled down in the village of Bouzeron, in the south of Burgundy, with his wife where they created their own estate of A&P de Villaine, outside of his day-job with Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Aligoté was initially given Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) status in 1979, and thanks to the enduring work of Aubert Bouzeron was recognised with its own Appellation in 1997. Bouzeron occupies a unique position within Burgundy with Aligoté being the sole grape cultivated. Their commitment to the grape is exemplified not only through their organic and biodynamic work in the vines, but also an Aligoté nursery they have established to preserve the genetic diversity and ancient clones of the variety. Aubert, together with his nephew Pierre de Benoist proudly fly the flag for Bouzeron as some of its greatest proponents of the potential the variety holds.
This cuvée is an assemblage of various plots which have been vinified in a combination of both stainless steel and old wooden foudres (large vats). The Aligoté used here is a unique clone known as Aligoté doré which produces lower yields and more aromatic intensity than the commonly seen Aligoté vert. The wine speaks with a pure voice of Aligoté, showing the variety’s acidity balanced by its fruit expression.