2022 Bourgogne Blanc, Camille Giroud

The 2022 Bourgogne Blanc has a lively tangerine and Clementine-scented bouquet that exudes nascent vigour. The palate is well-balanced with a fine thread of acidity. Clementine and apricot notes lead the way with a simple, effective, perhaps slightly New World-inspired finish.

It is always a pleasure to chat with Carel Voorhuis, one of the most candid winemakers in the Côte d’Or. “It was easy,” he tells me in his relaxed manner as I roll up my sleeves to tackle 40-odd cuvées, almost entirely from purchased fruit. “There were fewer issues than in other years, and we had rain at key moments. It appears drier than in 2018 and 2020, yet the vines did not suffer as much. Maybe the root system is deeper, plus there is less leaf cover? Maybe the stomata are closing faster? 

We picked from August 31 in Puligny and finished September 9 with Chambertin, Hautes-Côtes and the Mercurey Blanc. There was hardly any sorting, just a few leaves to take out, and the vinification was straightforward. I used around 20% more whole bunch in 2022 because, at the beginning of maceration, I really liked the aromas the stems were imparting, so I decided to increase the percentage. We are trialling different levels of whole cluster in our Savigny vineyards.”

Drink 2024 - 2027

An interesting mix from the Couchois, the Hautes Côtes de Beaune and below the main villages of the Côte. A fuller yellow in colour than the Aligoté, and with extra ripeness on the nose. Crisp white fruit behind with some energy.

Drink 2024 - 2027