Comte Armand : Bourgogne Aligoté 2021

Tasting Characteristics and Advice for Bourgogne Aligoté 2021 Comte Armand

Tasting

Color

The color shows a pale yellow hue with green highlights, typical of white wines made in cool vintages.

Nose

The nose reveals aromas of fresh citrus, notably lemon and yellow grapefruit, complemented by floral notes of acacia blossom. Hints of honey round out this delicate aromatic bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine offers a remarkable balance between freshness and richness. The texture is both fluid and substantial, supported by perfectly calibrated mineral acidity. The palate expresses notes of white peach, melon, and pear, lifted by floral nuances of jasmine and acacia. A subtle saline touch adds persistence on the finish.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Bourgogne Aligoté 2021 is an ideal match for seafood, especially oysters, mussels, and other shellfish. It also pairs beautifully with Burgundy-style snails, cheese gougères, or raclette. Fresh fish preparations, poultry in cream sauce, and goat cheeses also make excellent pairings.

Serving and Cellaring

This Bourgogne Aligoté 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. The wine can be enjoyed until around 2027.

A Bourgogne Aligoté from Exceptional Terroirs

The Estate

The Domaine Comte Armand is located in Pommard, in the heart of the Côte de Beaune. Founded in 1828 when Jean-François Armand married Clothilde Marey and received the famed Clos des Épeneaux as a dowry, the estate has remained in the Armand family for nearly two centuries. Today, Olivier Armand is the owner, while Paul Zinetti has overseen winemaking since 2014. The estate spans nine hectares across Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, and the regional Bourgogne appellation. Certified organic by ECOCERT, the estate also applies biodynamic principles across all its parcels.

The Vineyard

This Bourgogne Aligoté is the result of blending two parcels with complementary profiles: a young ten-year-old vine plot located in the commune of Volnay, and a remarkable ninety-year-old parcel planted with Aligoté Doré in the commune of Meursault. This combination brings together the youthful vigor of young vines with the depth and precision of old vines.

The Vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was marked by particularly challenging weather conditions. Severe frosts in early April, with temperatures dropping as low as -8°C, significantly reduced yields. The cool, wet spring delayed vine growth, while the summer remained moderate. Harvest took place about a month later than the previous year, around September 20. These cool conditions produced wines with naturally high acidity and great aromatic purity.

Winemaking and Aging

The grapes for this Bourgogne Aligoté 2021 were pressed together directly in a basket press. After twenty-four hours of settling, the must was divided into two equal parts: 50% vinified and aged on fine lees in stainless steel tanks, and 50% in 600-liter oak barrels. Aging continued for fourteen months before the final blend. The wine was then lightly fined with casein and bentonite, then filtered before bottling.

Grape Variety

100% aligoté