The 2022 Bourgogne Aligoté Raisins Dorés opens with a clean, pure bouquet of green and yellow apple, quince and citrus peel, lifted by a waft of wildflower blossom. On the palate it’s more substantial than most Aligotés: there’s a creamy texture, gentle mid-palate weight, and a spicy finish with a hint of pepper. Despite the warm vintage (“canicule”), the wine retains freshness, balanced by just enough grip and a lingering sense of energy.

This wine comes from vines of the “Raisins Dorés” clone, golden-skinned Aligoté, planted long ago, many approaching 90 years in age. Lafarge picks this Aligoté a couple of weeks after the main harvest, benefiting from extra hang-time to develop phenolic complexity while avoiding excessive heat stress. Portions of the vineyard are treated biodynamically, helping to preserve freshness even in a hot season. The grape is handled with care: delicate pressing, minimal intervention, creating a wine that expresses both varietal clarity and vineyard personality.

Serve well-chilled (8-10 °C). This wine is vivid and bright, making it a perfect partner for shellfish, oysters, lighter white fish, crudités, salad with vinaigrette, or simple cheeses. The herbal lift also makes it go beautifully with fresh garden herbs, asparagus, or peas.

The 2022 Lafarge Raisins Dorés Aligoté has received very positive response. Praise centres on its purity of fruit, the graceful balance between texture and freshness, and a quiet complexity that emerges with careful drinking. Many commentators highlight this as one of the more characterful Aligotés in recent years.

This is a wine for those intrigued by the quieter elegance of white Burgundy rather than just big oak or power. It shows that Aligoté, especially the Raisins Dorés clone, can do more than play second fiddle, it can offer nuance, character, and delight. For its balance, pedigree (old vines, Lafarge name), and drinking pleasure now or near-term, it’s superb value.