Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc (2021) - Domaine Roux
The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune lie at higher altitudes than the classic Côte de Beaune, giving the wines greater freshness and mineral tension. Domaine Roux Père & Fils is a historic Burgundian family winery, with vineyards in the Côte de Nuits and the Côte Chalonnaise as well.
Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc (2021) - Domaine Roux
Type: Vino Bianco
Area: France, Burgundy, Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
Appellation: Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOC
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2021
Winery: Domaine Roux
Alcohol: 13
The appellation: Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOC
The Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOC is a regional appellation of Burgundy in the western hills overlooking the prestigious Côte de Beaune, in the Côte-d’Or department. The vineyards, planted at higher altitudes (350–450 m), benefit from a cooler climate and clay-limestone soils, which give the wines freshness, finesse and an elegant aromatic profile. This AOC takes in 24 municipalities and produces mainly wines from Pinot Noir (reds) and Chardonnay (whites), with a few expressions of rosé. It is an excellent introduction to the great terroirs of Burgundy, but with a more approachable profile both in taste and in price.
Find out more about Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune AOCWhat to eat with Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
Who makes it: Domaine Roux
Domaine Roux is a historic family estate at Saint-Aubin, in the heart of the Côte de Beaune, with roots going back to the nineteenth century. Now run by the fifth generation, the domaine has become one of the region’s most important producers, with over 70 hectares of vineyards spread across some of Burgundy’s most prestigious climats. The production philosophy is based on a balance between tradition and innovation, with a strong bond with the terroir and a respectful approach both in the vineyard and in the cellar. The wines are made in a way that expresses finesse, freshness and typicity.
Find out more about Domaine RouxThe vine of Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted and prestigious white grape varieties in the world, originally from Burgundy, in France. Thanks to its great adaptability to different climates and soils, Chardonnay is grown in many wine regions, expressing unique characteristics according to the terroir and the winemaking style.
Find out moreBourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc: the area
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune
The Hautes-Côtes de Beaune are a hillside sub-area of the Côte d’Or, west of the prestigious appellations of the Côte de Beaune, in Burgundy. This appellation offers a fresher, higher-altitude alternative to the celebrated crus of the main valley, producing elegant, vibrant and affordable wines, often from sustainable or organic viticulture. Here red wines are made from Pinot Noir and white wines from Chardonnay, in a fresher, more floral and fruity style, thanks to the greater altitude, the breezy aspect and the limestone and clay soils.
Find out more about Hautes-Côtes de BeauneClimate: Continental
Altitude: Low to mid altitude (200–500 m above sea level)
Soil: Limestone / chalk
Geographical setting: Hilly
Profile of Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
Primary aromas: White-fleshed fruit (apple, pear, white peach), Citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and White flowers (acacia, hawthorn)
Secondary aromas: Mineral notes (chalk, wet stone) and Buttery and vanilla hints (in some of the wines aged in wood)
Tertiary aromas: Nuances of honey, dried fruit and light toasting with ageing
Tasting notes: The Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc 2021 from Domaine Roux is a fresh, mineral Chardonnay with a slender but elegant structure. On the palate it shows good acidic tension, well balanced by fruity notes and a slight creaminess. The finish is clean, persistent and saline, with a hallmark typical of the limestone soils of the Beaune plateau.
| Sulphites | yes |
| Body | Slender but velvety |
| Acidity | Medium-high, with excellent freshness |
| Tannin | No |
| Sweetness | Dry |
| Finish | Medium-long, with a citrussy, mineral finish |
| Colour | Bright straw yellow with golden highlights |
| Clarity | Clear and crystalline |
| Body | Medium |
Winemaking methods used for Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
Fermentation in barrique
Alcoholic fermentation in barrique is a winemaking technique that takes place inside small wooden vessels, barriques, capable of profoundly influencing the aromatic and structural profile of the wine. This process not only turns the sugars into alcohol and CO₂ through the action of the yeasts, but also encourages a harmonious integration between the wine and the aromatic compounds released by the wood.
Find out moreMalolactic fermentation
Malolactic fermentation is a fundamental process in winemaking, particularly used for quality white, red and sparkling wines. This method plays a key role in determining the flavour and aromatic profile of many wines, helping to make them softer, more complex and suited to long ageing.
Find out moreSoft pressing and fermentation in stainless steel
Soft pressing and fermentation in stainless steel are two fundamental techniques in modern winemaking, particularly suited to producing quality white, rosé and sparkling wines. These processes make it possible to preserve to the utmost the freshness, aromatic character and purity of the grapes, bringing out the varietal characteristics and the bond with the terroir.
Find out moreAgeing methods used for Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
In bottle (1–6 months)
Ageing in bottle for 1 to 6 months is a final but fundamental stage in the development of a wine. During this period, the wine – already stabilised and bottled – continues to mature away from oxygen, developing greater harmony between its components. It is a very widespread practice for wines that have completed their ageing in stainless steel or wood and that need a minimum settling time to reach the right balance before going on sale.
Find out moreIn cask
Ageing in large casks is one of the oldest and most significant winemaking techniques for maturing wine. It consists in leaving the wine to rest in large wooden casks, generally Slavonian or French oak, for a period that can range from a few months up to several years. Unlike barriques, casks have a greater capacity (from 5 to 50 hectolitres or more), offering gentle, slow micro-oxygenation. This allows gradual maturation, enhancing the structure and keeping the fruit intact, without the wood dominating the aromatic profile.
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