Description
Every generation brings along a winemaker or two who truly have the potential to re-define an estate’s quality of production. Charles Lachaux is certainly appearing to be one of those leading lights in the current generation of producers. He represents the sixth generation of the Lachaux family which produces from what is currently one of the most hotly discussed domaines. Charles joined the family estate in 2011 and took over full management in 2015. His studies under the iconic Lalou Bize-Leroy are clearly evident through his ardent work with the vines. His Bourgogne Aligoté ‘Les Champs d’Argent’ is further evidence of his inspiration from his time with Madame Bize-Leroy and in particular, her Domaine d’Auvenay ‘Sous Châtelet’ Aligoté; one of Burgundy’s leading examples of the variety.
Les Champs d’Argent (meaning, the silver fields) comes from a small 0.6 hectare plot located in Vosne-Romanée, with plantings dating back to the 1930s. It is aged in old barrels for 12 months before being bottled unfined, unfiltered and without added sulphur. The plot is treated according to biodynamic practices, and Charles reduces the yield to less than two-thirds of what is usually seen with Aligoté to increase the concentration of flavours in the grapes. It is a wine built around richness and texture, with a myriad of flavours present on both the nose and palate. With inspiration drawn from the greatest of producers, Charles has set himself a high benchmark and is certainly rising to the task with his 2018 example.
