In the prized shade of the Auxey-Duresses slopes, the cuvée Les Crais 2024 from Domaine Alain Gras asserts itself like a blank page written upon by minerality. Limestone, marl and the rigour of a perfectly draining terroir compose an arrangement of rare purity. 100 % Chardonnay, this dry Burgundy draws its energy from the freshness of the Côte de Beaune to offer a nuanced dialogue between upright structure and grace. It speaks to table aesthetes and to curious wine lovers seeking a chiselled, luminous white ready to elevate seafood, delicate fish, fine poultry or creamy cheeses. Its signature, airy and precise, answers the contemporary desire for a clean, digestible, vibrant wine, able to accompany the first toast of an aperitif through the last bite of a sauced dish without ever weighing down the palate. Here the brightness of fruit and saline depth meet to create a mouthful both clear and memorable.

Assemblage et vinification

This wine is made exclusively from Chardonnay from the Auxey-Duresses AOC, on the lieu-dit Les Crais, where limestone and marl soils ensure exemplary drainage. The vines, managed under reasoned viticulture, receive meticulous attention that limits treatments and encourages the expression of the living terroir. Harvesting is done by hand to preserve grape integrity, followed by a careful sorting to keep only the healthiest berries. A gentle pressing releases a clear, precise juice. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature, a deliberate choice to preserve native freshness, floral delicacy and mineral imprint. Aging, also in tank, refines the aromatic contours without disguising the wine, while maintaining its verticality and brightness. No excessive filtration is carried out, in order to preserve the cuvée's natural texture and complexity.

Notes de dégustation

• Appearance : Pale gold, clear and luminous, with subtle silver highlights, announcing a fresh, elegant frame.
• Nose : A precise bouquet of white flowers, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley, lifted by fresh citrus nuances, crisp white fruit and a subtle brioche touch, all carried by a mineral breath.
• Palate : A direct, lively opening, fruity and floral, driven by fine acidity that stretches the body. The mid-palate reveals a chiselled texture and a lean minerality, before a saline, persistent and balanced finish.

Température de service et conseils

Serve this wine between 10 et 12 °C in tulip-shaped glasses to highlight its aromatic precision and tension. When young, a brief decanting can help it open up and harmonise its floral notes with the saline thread. Store bottles on their side, protected from temperature fluctuations and light, to preserve the freshness and clarity of the profile. The cuvée Les Crais 2024 offers a cellaring potential of 3 to 7 years, gaining aromatic breadth over time without losing its drive, reaching a tasty patina where minerality merges into fine pastry nuances.

Accords mets et vin

• Aperitifs : finely lemoned fish rillettes, gougères and herb tartlets.
• Seafood : oysters, clams, whelks, seared scallops, pink shrimp.
• Fish : sashimi, ceviche and tartare, as well as noble fish with a light sauce, beurre blanc or delicately flavoured nage.
• White meats : roasted poultry, tender veal, blanquette, frogs' legs or delicately parsleyed snails.
• Cheeses : Brie, Camembert, Coulommiers, Mont d’Or, Rocamadour, or a selection of pressed cheeses not aged too long.

Moments de dégustation

Le Domaine Alain Gras, Les Crais 2024 is the ideal companion:

• For a briny aperitif where the purity of the fruit meets the sea breeze.
• At a gourmet dinner that favours precise cooking and clear jus.
• As a gift for an enthusiast for those who appreciate straight, expressive whites.

Caractéristiques

• Name : Les Crais 2024, Domaine Alain Gras
• Appellation : Auxey-Duresses AOC
• Type : Dry white wine
• Vintage : 2024
• Grape : Chardonnay (100 %)
• Alcohol : 13 % vol.
• Aging : fermentation and aging in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness
• Style : lively, mineral, saline finish
• Cellaring : 3 to 7 years
• Serving temperature : 10–12 °C