Pablo Chevrot, vice president of Les Aligoteurs, is dedicated to promoting the Aligoté grape variety, particularly in Bourgogne. Together with his brother Vincent, they manage Domaine Chevrot, located in the Maranges appellation, where they cultivate approximately 20 hectares of vineyards using organic practices. They are the third generation in their family to work this land, having begun their journey in 2003 and 2007.
Among their offerings are two types of Aligoté, with Tilleul being the premier selection sourced from a unique 0.6-hectare plot of 60-year-old vines. The grapes are harvested late, presenting a golden hue. This distinction lies not in being Aligoté Doré, which matures earlier, but in the twin bunches of regular Aligoté that only achieve their color towards the end of ripening. The Chevrots emphasize the high acidity and terroir expression of Aligoté without the influence of oak, which they believe would suppress these qualities.
The history of Aligoté in the Chouilly region relates back to its favorable soils, characterized by sandstone, gravel, and even some granite—a composition deemed ideal for the variety. The Tilleul plot itself, planted in the 1960s by Pablo’s grandfather, has a unique gravel and sandstone mix that enhances the wine’s character.
Over time, the vinification processes at Domaine Chevrot have evolved; after initially aging Aligoté in stainless steel, Pablo experimented with barrel aging after tasting older vintages and discovering their remarkable aging potential. Since 2020, they have implemented a new pressing method that reduces oxygen exposure in the first pressing while allowing oxidation for subsequent pressings.
The following is a selection of their recent vintages, illustrating the development and characteristics of their Aligoté Tilleul wines:
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2021: Despite challenges such as frost, Tilleul displayed surprising resilience. This vintage is bright and stony, exuding keen acidity and notes of white peach and lemon, with a mineral finish. Rated 93/100.
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2020: Characterized by a warmer year, this vintage showed bold ripe fruits like pear and citrus, with a notable structure and salinity. Rated 94/100.
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2019: Although impacted by spring frost, this vintage revealed depth and savory notes amid its fresh pear and peach fruit, enhanced by subtle oak from fermentation in barrels. Rated 92/100.
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2018: This year was marked by high production, with a vibrant profile of nuts, honey, and citrus fruit, retaining a fresh dynamism. Rated 93/100.
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2017: With slightly warmer conditions leading to a bigger wine, this vintage showcased substantial flavor and structure. Rated 92/100.
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2015: A hot year that resulted in a rich and concentrated wine, although the oak influence was noted to be somewhat less integrated. Rated 90/100.
In addition, they produce an unoaked Aligoté, Bourgogne Aligoté Des Quatre Terroirs 2022, showcasing a tight focus and lovely depth of fruit with dynamic characteristics, rated at 93/100.
Chevrot’s unique approach to Aligoté and its vinification reflects a commitment to preserving the integrity and expression of this remarkable varietal from Bourgogne. For more information, visit their website: Domaine Chevrot.