2010 Domaine d'Auvenay Bourgogne Aligoté Sous Le Chatelet

The 2010 Bourgogne Aligote is in a class by itself. Lemon, white flowers and crushed rocks are some of the many notes that emerge from this tightly wound, focused wine. The 2010 stands out for its fabulous length and equally remarkable balance. Anticipated maturity: 2015+. Do you want the good news or the bad news? Lalou Bize-Leroy’s 2010s at Domaine D’Auvenay – both white and red – are off the charts. That is the good news. The bad news is that the wines won’t be released for at least a few more years. Aging white Burgundy these days requires a strong stomach but D’Auvenay is one of the few domaines where the wines actually need a few years in bottle to show well. With time, the D’Auvenay whites often blossom into extraordinary wines with few peers anywhere in the world. I also include notes on the 2010 reds, which are equally, if not more, impressive than the whites. I find the D’Auvenay 2010 reds just a bit more refined than Bize-Leroy’s 2010 reds at Domaine Leroy. In any event, these remain some of the most riveting wines on the planet. The only problem is finding them. Importer: Martine’s Wines, Novato, CA; tel. (415) 883-040

The 2010 Bourgogne Aligote is in a class by itself. Lemon, white flowers and crushed rocks are some of the many notes that emerge from this tightly wound, focused wine. The 2010 stands out for its fabulous length and equally remarkable balance. Anticipated maturity: 2015+. Aug 2012, www.robertparker.com