Aloxe Corton 2023 Larue | Burgundy

At the foot of the Corton hill, Domaine Larue 'sAloxe-Corton is born of a singular terroir, home to old vines of Pinot Noir with a strong temperament. On this lower slope, far from the thin soils that characterize Burgundy's great climats, the density of the heavy, fat, ferruginous clay soils is barely lightened by a few calcareous colluviums resulting from erosion of the summit. The vines, planted at high density in 1960, take deep root in this poorly draining substratum, and gorge themselves with generous ripeness, favored by the southeasterly exposure of the Crapousuets climate. Domaine Larue 's viticulture is based on precision and tradition, where meticulous tillage is coupled with biological protection against disease. In summer, work in the vineyard helps to aerate the vegetation and promote even ripening of the bunches, which are then harvested by hand when perfectly ripe. The harvest is carefully sorted, partially destemmed, then fermented for 2 to 3 weeks after a short cold maceration. The wine is then aged for 12 months in oak barrels, a third of which are renewed each year, before a further 6 months in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : What makes this bottle so special is that it offers an Aloxe Corton stripped of its usual rusticity. The depth of the clay terroir gives this Aloxe-Corton from Domaine Larue a fleshy base, but when filtered through a refined winemaking process, it's its finesse that catches the eye. A certain noble austerity inhabits this communal cru, which will reveal all its elegance and pleasure potential after a few years.

The nose opens with dark, intense aromas. Far from crunchy red fruit, here we plunge into a forest of ripe berries, between black cherry, wild plum and blackcurrant. Aeration reveals the wine's true complexity, with scents of undergrowth, noble leather and black pepper. A discreet touch of dried rose and undergrowth accentuates the earthy nobility of this bouquet.

On the palate, full-bodied, with a lovely chewy texture that blends with ripe, delicate tannins. The welcome freshness of lacy acidity tempers the volume and power of the clays. Black fruit flavors are adorned with a veil of licorice and black pepper, while an afterglow of cherry pit stretches the finish with its suave, enveloping bitterness.