Subtle and refined expression of Pinot Noir, the Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru 2018 - Comte Armand celebrates the intelligence of Burgundian terroir through a clear reading of its nuances. Everything here speaks of balance and style, from organic and biodynamic farming to the precise blending of two complementary climats. This 1er cru is aimed at connoisseurs seeking a red with delicate structure, vibrant red fruit and a combination of intensity and fluidity. It resolves a rare equation: a wine able to brighten a gourmet dinner with aristocratic bearing while remaining accessible in its youth thanks to polished tannins and juicy energy. The 2018 signature, sunny and generous, is here heightened by controlled freshness, a refined spicy framework and an uplifted finish that invites another sip.

Blend and winemaking

Made from 100% Pinot Noir coming from the premier crus Les Breterins and Les Duresses, this wine is rooted in clay-limestone soils whose structure nourishes sap, precision and fruit brightness. Certified organic and biodynamic viticulture preserves vine vitality and juice purity. The harvest is fully destemmed and the grapes are not crushed to respect berry integrity. A gentle pre-fermentation maceration of 5 to 8 days at around 13–14 °C promotes aromatic extraction and fine color. Spontaneous fermentation lasts 5 to 10 days, followed by a post-fermentation maceration of 3 to 15 days, adjusted according to the vintage's expression. Approximately 18 months' ageing in oak barrels, with a measured share of new oak of about 20 to 25%, sharpens contours without masking the terroir, producing a satiny texture and a digestible finish.

Tasting notes

• Appearance : Clear ruby red with garnet highlights, sparkling with transparency. The bright disc reveals fully achieved ripeness and a delicately managed extraction, promising a palate that unites sap and finesse.
• Nose : Graceful bouquet of mixed red and black fruits, where raspberry, Morello cherry and a hint of plum intertwine, lifted by fine spices and a floral touch suggesting peony and dried rose. Subtle notes of undergrowth and well-integrated barrel ageing add complexity and depth without any heaviness.
• Palate : Silky attack, a juicy, flavourful mid-palate supported by lively acidity that stretches the wine gracefully. The tannic frame is silken, neatly rounded, offering a velvety mouthfeel. The finish is long and precise, leaving a trail of bright fruit, delicate spices and a salivating persistence that calls for the table.

Serving temperature & tips

Serve between 16 and 17 °C in Burgundy-style glasses to amplify the bouquet and refine the tannin grain. A measured, gentle decanting in a carafe allows the wine to relax and reveal its floral and spicy nuances, especially in its youth. Store bottles lying down, away from light, in a cool, stable cellar. This 1er cru can be enjoyed now for its fruit brightness and promises harmonious development over several years as tertiary complexity emerges.

Food pairings

• Aperitifs : aged country ham, light gougères, herb chicken rillettes.
• Starters : slow-cooked ("œuf parfait") egg with wild mushrooms, game terrine, hand-cut veal tartare.
• Main courses : roasted venison fillet, free-range guinea fowl with morels, duck breast with mild spices, pan-seared veal chop.
• Cheeses : aged Brie de Meaux, Brillat-Savarin, Tomme from the Jura, young soft cheeses.
• Desserts : delicate Morello cherry tart, spiced poached pear, lightly sweetened dark chocolate dessert.

Occasions

The Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru 2018 - Comte Armand is the ideal companion for:

• A gourmet dinner where the elegance of Pinot Noir complements seasonal cuisine.
• As an insider's gift for a Burgundy enthusiast who appreciates expressive terroirs.
• A cellar tasting, showing fruit and suppleness today, and spicy, floral complexity tomorrow.

Characteristics

• Name : Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru 2018 - Comte Armand
• Appellation : Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru AOC
• Type : Dry red wine
• Vintage : 2018
• Grape : Pinot Noir (100%)
• Vineyards : Les Breterins and Les Duresses, about 1 ha in total
• Viticulture : certified organic and biodynamic
• Soils : clay-limestone, providing structure, freshness and finesse
• Winemaking : full destemming, pre-fermentation maceration 5 to 8 days at 13–14 °C, spontaneous fermentation 5 to 10 days, post-fermentation maceration 3 to 15 days
• Ageing : about 18 months in oak barrels with 20 to 25% new oak
• Production : around 5 000 bottles depending on the vintage
• Cellaring : 8 to 10 years depending on cellar conditions
• Serving temperature : 16–17 °C
• Référence Louvins : CAV-VROUGE-AUXEY-DURESSES-1ER-CRU-COMTE-ARMAND-2018