Alain Gras : Auxey-Duresses Village "Très Vieilles Vignes" 2023

Characteristics and tasting advice for Alain Gras’s Auxey-Duresses Village "Très Vieilles Vignes" 2023

Tasting

Color

The color displays a beautiful ruby hue evolving toward raspberry tones, bright and slightly translucent.

Nose

The nose reveals great aromatic complexity with notes of cherry and sour cherry, accompanied by floral fragrances of peony and violet. Subtle woody accents blend harmoniously with spicy touches of cinnamon and vanilla, while delicate animal notes reminiscent of fine leather enrich the whole.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its balanced structure, lifted by generous flesh and supported by a framework of fine tannins. The attack is supple, revealing lovely substance with particularly well-preserved acidity. The mellow tannins glide elegantly across the palate, creating a silky sensation through to a persistent finish that unfolds with elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This wine pairs perfectly with grilled, roasted, or sauced red meats. It also complements lighter game such as quail, pheasant, or partridge with finesse.

Serving and cellaring

Auxey-Duresses Village "Très Vieilles Vignes" 2023 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 17°C. This wine can be enjoyed now and up to around 2036, with an estimated peak between 2026 and 2034.

An Auxey-Duresses from century-old vines, a remarkable expression of the Burgundian terroir

The estate

Founded in 1979 in Saint-Romain, Domaine Alain Gras now spans fifteen hectares of vineyards spread across the finages of Saint-Romain, Auxey-Duresses, and Meursault. Alain Gras, representing the fifth generation of a family of Burgundian winegrowers, built the estate’s outstanding reputation, with its wines featured in 21 of France’s 29 three-Michelin-star restaurants. Since 2020, his son Arthur has joined the estate, bringing fresh momentum while continuing the family commitment to the authentic expression of Burgundian terroirs.

The vineyard

The Auxey-Duresses Village "Très Vieilles Vignes" 2023 comes from century-old vines with an average age of one hundred years, planted on clay-limestone soils characteristic of the appellation. This historic appellation, recognized as an AOC since 1937, benefits from remarkable geological diversity, with variations of marl-limestone and limestone soils depending on the climats. The extremely limited yields of these old vines, whose root systems plunge deep into the bedrock, allow for unparalleled aromatic concentration and complexity.

The vintage

The 2023 vintage began with flowering in early June under splendid weather, heralding generous yields. A summer that was initially not very hot shifted after August 20, with temperatures reaching 35°C, considerably accelerating ripening. A beneficial thundery rain on August 28 brought the moisture the vines needed. Harvesting was carried out from the first days of September, exclusively in the morning to preserve the grapes’ freshness. The resulting balances proved superb, with optimal potential alcohol levels around 13% and particularly well-preserved acidity.

Winemaking and aging

Auxey-Duresses Village "Très Vieilles Vignes" 2023 is made from fully destemmed grapes, followed by maceration lasting twelve to fifteen days with daily manual pump-overs and punch-downs. Rigorous control of fermentation temperatures allows for optimal extraction of aromas. After pneumatic pressing, the wine is aged for twelve months in oak barrels, with only 20% new oak, thus preserving freshness and fruit character while adding structure and complexity.

Grape variety

100% pinot noir