Jean-Charles Fagot : Auxey-Duresses Village "Les Hautés" 2023

The mineral and floral expression of a white wine from the Auxey-Duresses appellation

The estate

Officially founded in 1920, the family estate is located in Corpeau, at the heart of Burgundy. Today, Jean-Charles Fagot, representing the third generation, heads the estate after taking over the vineyard reins in the late 1980s. This winemaker, who also has an unconventional background as a musician and restaurateur, cultivates a vineyard of around three to four hectares. Recognised for his environmentally respectful approach and his minimal-intervention philosophy, he crafts authentic wines that faithfully reflect their terroir, while offering an experience that combines gastronomy and winegrowing.

The vineyard

The Les Hautés lieu-dit is a plot located within the Auxey-Duresses appellation. Facing south-east, the vines, around 55 years old, thrive at an altitude of between 280 and 300 metres. This elevated position, close to wooded areas, provides an ideal cool microclimate. The marl-limestone soils echo the geological characteristics of the prestigious neighbouring communes and give the grapes a lovely natural acidity along with a distinctive minerality. Cultivation follows the principles of sustainable farming, with hand-harvesting.

The vintage

2023 brought overall warmer weather conditions than previous years in the Burgundy region. This favourable weather allowed the berries to reach optimal physiological ripeness reliably. Thanks to the altitude and cool microclimate of the plots, the effects of this heat were moderated, ensuring balanced vegetative growth and generous yields, while preserving the natural tension of the fruit.

Winemaking and aging

The Auxey-Duresses Village "Les Hautés" 2023 is crafted according to a philosophy of minimal intervention. After gentle pressing, fermentation takes place in neutral vessels to preserve aromatic purity. The wine is then aged for one year in 228-litre oak barrels, followed by a five-month refinement period in stainless steel tanks. This method brings textural complexity while avoiding an overly pronounced oaky imprint.

Grape variety

This wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay.

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Auxey-Duresses Village "Les Hautés" 2023 Jean-Charles Fagot

Tasting notes

Color
A lovely pale straw colour, bright and radiant to look at.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with a lovely herbaceous freshness, releasing notes of cucumber and lemon, complemented by subtle touches of citrus and fresh herbs.

Palate
The palate stands out for its straightforward, energetic and floral profile. With a precise, well-defined mineral backbone, it stretches into a lingering finish marked by delicate notes of elderflower.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with raw or cooked seafood, white fish prepared with butter and lemon, or roast poultry served with a light cream sauce. It also enhances vegetarian dishes such as ratatouille or mushroom risotto, as well as pressed cheeses like Gruyère or matured goat's cheese.