In the heart of the Côte de Beaune, the Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Blanc 2023 from Domaine Jacques Prieur unveils haute couture elegance. This Premier Cru, drawing its identity from soils of fine clay, sand and small stones called grèves, overlooks the outskirts of Beaune like a luminous balcony. Its signature—precise and sculpted—will charm lovers of great Burgundian whites seeking a wine that is at once vibrant, textured and irresistibly generous. For a polished reception, a French gastronomic dinner or a intelligently maturing cellar, it solves the sought-after equation between taut freshness and creamy breadth. The patience of the élevage, the care taken in the cellar and the rigour of hand-harvesting compose a rare aromatic score where bright fruit dances with a long mineral thread. A characterful, chiselled white that brings discreet majesty to the table.

Assemblage et vinification

This Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Blanc 2023 is made from 100% Chardonnay from a parcel ideally situated above Beaune, on an argillo-calcareous terroir dominated by grèves and sands, ensuring perfect drainage and harmonious ripeness. The grapes are hand-harvested into small crates to preserve the integrity of the berries. A whole-cluster pressing using a pneumatic press preserves the purity of the juice. Alcoholic fermentation occurs entirely in oak barrels, followed by a complete malolactic fermentation that softens the edges and brings a velvety roundness. The ageing, conducted with patience and precision, continues for 20 months in oak barrels, integrating the wood nuances elegantly without ever overpowering the terroir expression. The result is a racé Chardonnay with a silky texture, perfectly balanced between depth and tension.

Notes de dégustation

• Colour: Bright pale gold with silver highlights, clear and luminous, announcing precise material and lively inner energy.
• Nose: Floral delicacy of linden, flesh of fresh pear and brioche, then a subtle patina of hazelnut and a hint of finely toasted cedar. A nuanced bouquet, both generous and airy.
• Palate: Crisp attack driven by a zest of candied lemon, a caressing mid-palate with notes of pastry cream, extended by a delicate salinity. The mineral thread stretches the finish with precision and sapidity, while the barrel ageing adds silky relief without weight.

Service temperature and advice

Serve this Premier Cru between 11 and 12°C in large white wine glasses to reveal the aromatic range and velvety texture. Avoid serving too cold, which would freeze the nuances. Decanting 20 to 30 minutes before service or a gentle carafe depending on the occasion allows the wine to open up. Store bottles carefully, away from light, on their side, at around 12°C. Its ageing potential spans a fine decade, with a peak estimated between 2025 and 2032, during which the fruit will gain complexity and the structure will find harmony.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs: Comté gougères, sweet onion tartlets, zucchini blossom fritters.
• Starters: scallop carpaccio, white asparagus with mousseline sauce, sea bass ceviche with citrus.
• Main courses: free-range chicken in a morel cream sauce, roasted turbot with brown butter, parmesan risotto with preserved lemon.
• Cheeses: mature Comté, Beaufort, truffled Brie de Meaux, their richness complements the brioche-like patina.
• Desserts: lightly sweetened lemon tart, hazelnut financier, vanilla shortbreads to underline the elegant oak.

Moments to enjoy

Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Blanc 2023 is the ideal companion:

• To celebrate a refined occasion where culinary precision meets the grace of wine.
• At a gastronomic dinner focused on subtle, seasonal French cuisine.
• As an exceptional gift for a discerning fan of great Burgundian Chardonnays.

Characteristics

• Name: Beaune 1er Cru Grèves Blanc 2023, Domaine Jacques Prieur
• Appellation: Beaune 1er Cru AOC
• Type: Dry white wine
• Vintage: 2023
• Grape variety: Chardonnay 100%
• Alcohol level: to be confirmed at bottling
• Ageing: 20 months in oak barrels
• Volume: bottle format, information to be confirmed
• Cellaring: peak 2025 to 2032 approx.
• Serving temperature: 11–12°C