Domaine Caroline Frey : Aloxe-Corton 1er cru "Les Paulands" 2020

Characteristics and Tasting Advice for Domaine Caroline Frey’s Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Paulands" 2020

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a lovely deep ruby-red color.

Nose

The nose expresses fine aromatic intensity with notes of red fruit—especially sour cherry—alongside floral nuances and a subtle touch of oak.

Palate

On the palate, this wine reveals a well-defined structure with nicely integrated tannins and harmonious oak. The palate is generous yet remains elegant and refined, with a silky texture. The finish lingers pleasantly, reflecting fine overall balance.

Food and Wine Pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with a wood-fire grilled rib steak, roast lamb with a brown sauce, or sauced meats such as boeuf bourguignon. Game preparations such as pigeon or roast duck also make excellent pairings. For cheese lovers, opt for bold, characterful cheeses such as Époisses.

Serving and Cellaring

Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Paulands" 2020 is ideally served at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be cellared until around 2035.

A structured and elegant Burgundy premier cru from Domaine Caroline Frey

The Estate

The Domaine Caroline Frey was established in 2014, when Jean-Jacques Frey acquired Château de Corton André and its seven hectares of vines. Located in Aloxe-Corton in Burgundy, at the foot of the Corton hill, the estate stands out for its commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture across the entire vineyard, certified organic in 2021. The property brings together thirteen different appellations, including prestigious Grands Crus and Premiers Crus. Caroline Frey, a winemaker trained in Bordeaux, led the estate until 2025. Today, management is overseen by Delphine Frey alongside Jean-Jacques Frey, in keeping with the established philosophy that favors respectful vineyard work and precise winemaking.

The Vineyard

The Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Paulands" comes from a 0.49-hectare plot planted with Pinot Noir in 1949. The Climat Les Paulands lies directly beneath the Grand Cru Corton "Les Bressandes", on a stony slope at the foot of the Corton hill. The soils are clay-limestone, with small limestone stones that promote drainage. The name "Paulands" derives from the Old French "Pol", meaning pond or mud, evoking the historical presence of marshland in this area. This hydrological particularity contributes to the mineral character and distinctive texture of the wines from this terroir.

The Vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy benefited from favorable conditions. After a mild, wet winter, budbreak occurred early. A very warm April was followed by a cool spell in early May, before temperatures rose again in mid-May. Flowering took place smoothly from mid- to late June. July, August, and September were warmer, sunnier, and above all much drier than usual. This summer drought was the year’s main viticultural challenge. For red wines from the Côte de Beaune, these conditions proved broadly favorable, producing classic wines with good aging potential.

Vinification and Aging

Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru "Les Paulands" 2020 is vinified in custom-made oval concrete vats, specifically designed for the estate. Each vat receives the harvest from a single climat. These vats ensure optimal thermal inertia and precise control of vinification. The cellar is fully temperature-controlled thanks to an eco-friendly heat pump. Aging takes place in French oak barrels for twelve to twenty months depending on the wines, with around thirty percent new barrels, some in second-wine barrels, and the remainder in Clayvers—small sandstone vats that promote controlled micro-oxygenation.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir