Albert Bichot Aloxe-Corton 2016

The nose of the Albert Bichot Aloxe-Corton features fruity aromas of blackberry, strawberry and notes of mild spices, tea and cocoa. Boasting an extremely supple structure, this balanced wine has lovely, pleasing, velvety tannins. The finish is long and aromatic, reminiscent of the fruity aromas perceived on the nose.

100% Pinot Noir. Just like its neighbor, the illustrious Corton Grand Cru Monopole "Clos des Maréchaudes", this wine is also a “monopole” belonging to the Domaine du Pavillon estate. The soil here is brown limestone overlying scree, with a high proportion of clay. "En Mareschaut" is derived from the Old French term “maresche” (marsh). The lower parts of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny were marshy due to their proximity to the Lauve spring. Major drainage work was undertaken to dry up the land and make it suitable for planting vines.

The grapes are handpicked before fermentation in temperature-controlled conical oak vats for 20–28 days. The wine then ages in 100% oak barrels (25% - 40% new) for 14–18 months

Ageing potential: Cellar for 7–10 years!
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12.5%

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

- 92 POINTS
A brooding and earthy dark berry fruit, plum and violet-inflected nose gives way to impressively rich, dense and attractively textured flavors blessed with an abundance of dry extract as well as notably firm tannins that are notably ripe on the mouth coating finish. As is usually the case, this is not particularly refined though it does offer very good depth and persistence on the balanced backend.

The 2016 Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Clos des Maréchaudes (Domaine Pavillon) includes 40% whole-bunch fruit and aged in 35% new oak. It offers darker fruit than the Pommards from Bichot that I tasted alongside. This is a little earthier, perhaps the whole bunch contribution more tangible. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite robust for an Aloxe-Corton but I certainly appreciate the tension and terroir expression toward the finish. This may well surpass the 2015 with a couple of years in bottle.