Domaine Nicolas Rossignol : Bourgogne Chardonnay 2021

Tasting characteristics and tips for Bourgogne Chardonnay 2021 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Tasting

Appearance

With a pale gold hue, clear and brilliant, this wine displays the hallmark radiance of a young chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune.

Nose

The nose reveals an expressive aromatic bouquet combining notes of white flowers with aromas of ripe white-fleshed fruit. Hints of crushed stone fruits and subtle spices round out this delicate aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its sensual curve and a texture that is both rich and light. Lively acidity brings freshness, while the long, vibrant finish reveals beautiful aromatic persistence with mineral notes of crushed stone.

Food and wine pairings

This Bourgogne Chardonnay 2021 pairs perfectly with delicate fish such as sole meunière, as well as seafood and shellfish like oysters, lobster, or crab. It also pairs very well with poultry in creamy sauces, young goat cheeses, or soft cow’s-milk cheeses. Butter-based vegetable preparations, such as asparagus, also make excellent matches.

Serving and cellaring

This Bourgogne Chardonnay 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C.

A Bourgogne chardonnay combining elegance and minerality

The estate

Domaine Nicolas Rossignol was established in 1997 by Nicolas Rossignol, representing the fifth generation of winegrowers in Volnay. After traveling and working at several prestigious estates in France and abroad, notably in South Africa and the Rhône Valley, Nicolas Rossignol settled in Beaune, where he now runs his estate. In 2011, the estate merged with Domaine Rossignol-Jeanniard, bringing the vineyard to around 17 hectares spread across nearly 30 different appellations of the Côte de Beaune. The estate stands out for a terroir-respectful approach inspired by biodynamic principles, and a minimal-intervention philosophy designed to reveal the purity and authentic expression of each parcel.

The vineyard

This chardonnay comes from parcels located in the Côte de Beaune, a sub-region of the Côte d'Or in Bourgogne. The vines grow on clay-limestone soils characteristic of this winegrowing area. The estate practices environmentally respectful viticulture, without the use of chemical herbicides, favoring light plowing to maintain soil health. This approach encourages the mineral expression and freshness typical of Bourgogne white wines.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Bourgogne proved particularly challenging. After a moderately mild winter, devastating frosts in early April struck the young shoots, with chardonnay especially vulnerable due to its early budbreak. Summer was cool and damp, with constant downy mildew pressure, before September brought more stable conditions. Harvest began between September 15 and 17, later than in previous years. Despite reduced yields, this vintage preserved fine natural acidity while reaching satisfactory phenolic ripeness, producing balanced, fresh white wines.

Vinification and aging

Harvesting is done by hand, with grapes placed in small 8-kilogram crates to preserve their integrity. After meticulous sorting on a selection table, vinification of Bourgogne Chardonnay 2021 is carried out exclusively with native yeasts, without inoculation with commercial yeasts. Aging takes place on fine lees for several months, without racking, in order to develop the wine’s aromatic complexity and structure. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately delayed, beginning around six months after harvest, the following spring, to preserve freshness and enhance the aromatic profile. The wine is neither fined nor filtered before bottling, thus preserving its full texture and aromatic intensity.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay