Domaine Agnès Paquet Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc 2023

The Paquet family has owned properties in Burgundy since the early 1950's, but as the turn of the century approached, the family decided to sell their vineyards in Auxey-Duresses. Agnès, though having had no prior interest in winemaking, was determined not to see the family property sold away, purchased the property, and thus began her career as a vigneron. In 2000, she officially set up her Domaine after completing her wine business studies in Beaune. The estate is located in the remote village of Meloisey, in the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune right near the village of Auxey-Duresses. She conducts every aspect of the winemaking process, from vine to bottle. The extremely small-scale production of her wines, combined with her status as a darling of France's three Michelin Star "Somms" (from the restaurants of Alain Ducasse, Anne-Sophie Pic and Joël Robuchon) allows us to realize how lucky we are to feature these wines.

Agnès Paquet's Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc is made from 100% Chardonnay from two vineyards: a plot of young vines in the town of Meloisey called La Lié and a plot of forty-year-old vines in the town of Baubigny, Sous le Château. The combination of poor, clay-limestone soils and old-vine fruits creates an incredibly powerful wine. The wine pours a bright mid-yellow with a greenish tinge, offering an abundant bouquet of citrus-soaked, white orchard fruit mixed with hints of honeysuckle, wet stone and roasted almonds. A cascade of green apple, pear and white peach flavors wash across the palate, infused with lime zest. There is a beautiful interplay between this Blanc's lively acidity and its slightly creamy mid-palate, leading to a long, refined finish. Enjoy with pan-roasted branzino dressed with lemon, garlic and fresh herbs or creamy Tuscan chicken over polenta.