Domaine Nicolas Rossignol : Aloxe Corton Village 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Aloxe-Corton Village 2021 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a lovely, intensely ruby hue with garnet highlights, typical of Pinot Noir at optimal ripeness.

Nose

The bouquet is complex and distinctive, expressing a wilder, more animal character than fruit-driven. Black berry aromas dominate, with notes of blackcurrant and blueberry, accompanied by spicy nuances. With aeration, the nose evolves toward subtle floral tones, enhanced by touches of licorice and anise. The aromatic expression reflects the terroir’s mineral richness, with earthy and forest-floor notes that give the wine its singular personality.

Palate

The attack is fresh and lively, echoing the elegant character of the 2021 vintage. The palate reveals a full-bodied, finely structured profile, with refined, well-integrated tannins. It unfolds a silky texture and ideal concentration, without excessive heaviness. The finish lingers with elegance, allowing the mineral and saline notes characteristic of Aloxe-Corton’s iron-rich soils to shine through. The overall balance reflects a respectful winemaking approach, favoring finesse over extraction.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with roasted red meats and game dishes. It matches ideally with boeuf bourguignon, grilled rib steak, or dark-fleshed poultry such as pigeon or duck. Mushroom-based preparations, notably morels or truffles, also make excellent pairings. Aged cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère harmoniously complement its tannic structure and freshness.

Serving and cellaring

This Aloxe-Corton Village 2021 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol can be enjoyed now and will continue to develop favorably through at least 2036. A serving temperature between 15 and 16°C will allow its full aromatic range to be expressed. Decanting for one hour before serving will reveal all its complexity.

A Burgundy Aloxe-Corton from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol combining minerality and elegance

The estate

Domaine Nicolas Rossignol was established in 1997 by Nicolas Rossignol, a fifth-generation winegrower from the terroirs of Volnay. Based in Beaune, in Burgundy, the estate now covers around 17 hectares across nearly 30 appellations in the Côte de Beaune. In 2011, the merger with the family estate Rossignol-Jeanniard enabled a consolidation of activities. Nicolas Rossignol, owner and winegrower, built a modern bioclimatic cellar in Beaune in 2016. The estate stands out for an approach inspired by biodynamics and a grape-guiding philosophy that favors the authentic expression of Burgundy’s terroirs.

The vineyard

This Aloxe-Corton comes from the blending of two distinct parcels located within this emblematic Côte de Beaune appellation. The first parcel lies directly below the slope of Corton-Charlemagne, while the second borders the premier cru Fichots of Pernand-Vergelesses. The soils display a characteristic deep red color, resulting from an exceptionally high content of iron oxide. This clay-limestone composition, enriched with siliceous debris, gives the wines their distinctive mineral character. The vineyard benefits from a privileged location at the junction between Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, on the slopes of the Montagne de Corton.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage proved particularly demanding in Burgundy, marked by devastating spring frosts that significantly reduced yields. After early budburst, the vines suffered major frost damage, leading to substantial crop losses. The summer that followed was cooler and drier than in previous years, with veraison beginning in mid-August. Autumn conditions required daily monitoring to determine the optimal harvest date. Despite these challenges, the vintage produced wines of remarkable elegance, with moderate alcohol levels and an unusual freshness, favoring finesse over concentration.

Winemaking and aging

The Aloxe-Corton Village 2021 grapes were harvested by hand in small 8-kilogram crates to preserve the integrity of the berries. After a double sorting—first on a vibrating table, then by hand—the grapes were fully destemmed without crushing. Alcoholic fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts over six to eight days, with very little punching down in order to preserve the delicacy and finesse of the tannins. Barrel filling was carried out by gravity. Malolactic fermentation was deliberately delayed until the following spring. Aging then continued for ten to twenty months in French oak barrels, on fine lees without racking. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration to preserve the full breadth of its aromatic complexity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir