The 2024 Benjamin Leroux Bourgogne Grand Champs Aligoté is a distinctive old-vine expression from the Grands Champs vineyard in Chassagne-Montrachet, just below the village and close to the historic Fontaine Saulx washhouse. The vines are around 90–100 years old and unusually healthy, producing small bunches and naturally concentrated fruit. The wine shows ripe greengage, lemon and citrus alongside white flowers, subtle spice, gentle orchard fruit and a fine mineral character. Its aromatic richness gives it more depth and weight than a typical Bourgogne Aligoté.
On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied and beautifully textured, with bright acidity supporting generous layers of greengage, lemon, pear and ripe orchard fruit. Subtle floral and spicy notes add complexity, while a fine saline and stony mineral character provides tension and length. The old vines bring impressive concentration and density, while maturation in a 1,200-litre neutral oak cask allows the fruit and vineyard character to remain at the centre. The texture is broad and almost chewy, yet the lively acidity keeps the wine focused and fresh through to a long, dry and persistent finish.
Ben’s Recommendation:
At Wine More Cellars, this is an excellent choice for adventurous Burgundy drinkers looking for a serious, age-worthy Aligoté with the richness and depth often associated with Chardonnay. The 2024 is still youthful, with its concentration, acidity and mineral structure giving it excellent potential to develop further savoury and nutty complexity. Best enjoyed from 2027–2030. Serve chilled with oysters, seared scallops with brown butter, grilled whiting with lemon, roast chicken with herbs, goat’s cheese gougères, or mushroom and leek risotto.
