A beautiful golden robe with green highlights. A nose that displays aromas of white flowers with a very slight toasted note brought by the aging in barrels. A fleshy, dense mouthfeel with a perfect balance. A wine that deserves a little slow aeration in the glass.

Agnes Paquet took over 3 hectares of family vines in Auxey-Duresses in 1999 and produced her first vintage in 2001. Hidden just up the road from Meursault, Auxey-Duresses remains a relatively unknown appellation, producing stunning Chardonnay.

This wine comes from the original plot of the estate. A 5ha plot in one piece, facing south, on the hamlet of Auxey Duresses in Melin. Place called “LES HOZ” planted partly in Pinot Noir and partly in Chardonnay.

Chardonnays were planted at the beginning of the last century, and are around 90 years old today. At that time, we were still talking about mass selection. After using clones, I decided last year to redo a mass selection for the new plantations on the estate. The selection is made from this plot. Today we are in the first phase, namely the marking of the feet. This phase will last 2 to 3 years before the first grafting tests.

"Here’s a sleek and very straight Auxey-Duresses with plenty of ripe pear and lemon fruit that reminds me of the wines of 20-plus years ago. Quite long, zesty finish. Drink or hold."
90 points.
Stuart Piggott, jamessuckling.com (August 2023)

"A pale color with a light lime tinge. The bouquet is classic for the appellation, fresh, lively chiselled, less weight than some years but beautifully balanced. Some apples behind, perhaps not quite as pure at the finish as the start, but there is time to tidy this up."
88-90 points. Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy (October 2022)

"A little more intense than the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, but similarly salty. Mouth-watering tension and a very nice slight grip to the texture. Intense salty-citrus finish that is impressive in this vintage. Drink to 2028."
16.5 points.
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com (January 2023)