Aloxe-Corton

Aloxe-Corton is a small village at the northern end of the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy. It is located on the plains below the Cote d'Or escarpment, just north of Beaune, in one of the most densely planted areas of the region. All but a tiny amount of production is of red wine from the Pinot Noir grape.

The "Corton" part of the commune's name is generally what grabs the attention of Burgundy drinkers, and was added to Aloxe in the middle of the 19th Century. It is a reference to the hill of Corton – the source of the Côte de Beaune's only grand cru red wines – which have had their own Corton Grand Cru appellation (distinct from the communal Aloxe-Corton village title) since 1937. The Aloxe-Corton vineyards were classified in 1982, when about one-third of them were granted the status of Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru.

The Aloxe-Corton appellation, created in 1938, covers the production of both red and white wines from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay respectively, although in reality only a tiny percentage are white - Chardonnay accounts for just under two hectares out of 118 in total (4.5 acres out of 291 acres). This preference for reds can be explained by the association with the famous Corton Grand Cru reds; in general terms, these Aloxe-Corton red wines attract higher prices than those of equivalent quality from nearby communes.

The reds of Aloxe-Corton are quite dark in colour, their shades varying from deep rubythrough crimson to garnet. While young, the wine’s aroma suggests a spring garden with small red fruits (raspberry, strawberry) and black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry). These intensify with age and evolve into peony and jasmine, preserved and brandied fruits, pistachio, prune, leather, truffle, mushroom and cinnamon.
The deep soil begets a vigorous, full-bodied Pinot Noir, robust yet refined. Tender and fruity, this wine reaches its peak after 3 to 5 years in the cellar, revealing a firm and well-built body, richly chewy and with pleasing tannins.
Aloxe-Corton whites are very rare.