2023 Vincent & Jean-Pierre Charton Bourgogne Aligote Champ de Perdrix

Vincent & Jean-Pierre Charton Winery

Domaine Vincent & Jean-Pierre Charton is located in Mercurey in the Côte Chalonnaise and is one of the region's more serious producers. The family business focuses on producing precise, terroir-driven wines with a clear structure. The approach is classic, with a strong focus on vineyard management and careful vinification. The style is crisp and mineral, with an emphasis on balance and purity. They work with respect for the soil and the environment, where sustainability plays an important role. More information about this winery can be found under the Winery tab.

Region, climate and location

The Champ de Perdrix vineyard is located in the Côte Chalonnaise, just south of the Côte de Beaune. This area is known for its calcareous soils and relatively stable quality. Its location near Mercurey ensures a combination of ripeness and freshness, which is essential for Aligoté.

The soils consist of clay and limestone, a classic combination in Burgundy. Limestone contributes to the crispness and minerality, while clay provides slightly more volume and structure in the wine. This balance is clearly recognizable in the final result.

The climate is moderately continental, with warm summers and cool nights. This ensures slow ripening and preservation of acidity. The 2023 vintage is characterized by good ripeness without loss of freshness, resulting in a balanced and clean style.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The wine comes from a plot of approximately 30 ares, a relatively small vineyard that is cultivated specifically to achieve maximum quality. The yield is around 50 hectoliters per hectare, which contributes to sufficient concentration without loss of finesse.

The vines have an average age of approximately 90 years. That is exceptional for Aligoté. Old vines yield lower harvests but provide more concentration, depth, and a clearer expression of the terroir.

The wine consists of 100% Aligoté, sourced from mass selection. This means that the planting material has been selected based on old, high-quality vines, which contributes to complexity and authenticity. The combination of old vines and calcareous soils forms the basis for the structure and minerality of this wine.

Harvest, vinification and aging

The harvest is carried out entirely by hand, selecting only healthy and ripe fruit. After the harvest, the grapes are pressed immediately to limit oxidation and preserve freshness.

Fermentation is controlled, aiming for a pure expression of the grape and the terroir. Subsequently, the wine ages fully in oak barrels, approximately 15% of which are new. This choice provides extra structure and a subtle roundness, without overpowering the fresh character.

Aging in wood provides greater depth and texture. The wine is ultimately bottled at the estate itself, guaranteeing complete control over quality and style.

Color, smell and taste

The wine has a clear, light yellow color with a slightly deeper intensity than many classic Aligoté wines, partly due to aging in wood. On the nose, it opens with citrus, ripe apple, and subtle floral notes. This is followed by a light spiciness and a restrained touch of oak.

On the palate, the structure is immediately palpable. The acidity is lively yet well-integrated, giving the wine tension and length. The fruit profile remains tight and precise, with citrus and apple at its core, complemented by a light peach note.

The texture is remarkably layered for Aligoté. The influence of the wood lends a slight roundness and added structure, while the old vines provide concentration. This results in a wine that feels both crisp and structured.

Minerality plays a distinct role in the finish, which is long and slightly saline. The balance between acidity and ripeness is well struck, making the wine feel both fresh and complete. In the glass, it develops towards greater complexity, with the wood notes and minerality coming to the fore more clearly.

Development and drinking window

The 2023 Bourgogne Aligoté Champ de Perdrix is accessible in its youth, but clearly has more potential than the average Aligoté. Thanks to the old vines and aging in wood, the wine can develop over a period of approximately 5 to 8 years. During this time, the wine will gain roundness and develop more aromatic complexity, while retaining its fresh structure.

Summary of professional reviews

No specific scores have been published for this cuvée. The wine aligns with the modern style of high-quality Aligoté, where old vines and the use of wood provide more structure and depth. Producers such as Charton demonstrate that Aligoté can hold its own against more serious white Burgundies, with an emphasis on minerality, balance, and length. The full review texts can be found in the tab: Professional reviews.

Wine & Food and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.