Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc, Maxime Cheurlin, 2022
Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc, Maxime Cheurlin, 2022
- 75cl
- 13.5%
- White Still
- Chardonnay
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2030
The 2022 Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc from Maxime Cheurlin is a crisp, refreshing Chardonnay that feels both bright and grounded. On the nose, you get clean citrus notes — think lemon peel and grapefruit — complemented by delicate white florals and a whisper of chalky minerality. The palate is lively without being aggressive: there’s a snappy acidity, but the texture is gently rounded thanks to its lees contact. Mid-palate flavours lean toward green apple, citrus pith, and a subtle saline edge that gives the finish a clean, lingering precision.
Maxime Cheurlin, famed winemaker for Georges Noëllat, also bottles a negociant range of thrilling wines under his own name, which offer cracking value.
This 2022 is drinking beautifully now, with its primary citrus and green apple flavours perfectly integrated with the subtle oak influence. Over the next two to three years, we expect the wine to develop more honeyed complexity whilst retaining its essential freshness and mineral backbone. The lees contact will continue to provide textural richness, and by 2028 the wine should show lovely secondary notes of brioche and hazelnut. Beyond 2030, the fruit may begin to fade, though the minerality will persist, making this best enjoyed in its youthful, vibrant phase.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with green highlights and crystal clarity.
NoseClean citrus aromas of lemon peel and grapefruit lead, followed by delicate white florals and a whisper of chalky minerality. There's a freshness here that speaks to the higher altitude vineyards, with subtle hints of green apple and wet stone.
PalateLively without being sharp, thanks to gentle lees contact that rounds the texture whilst preserving the wine's natural energy. Mid-palate flavours centre on green apple and citrus pith, with that distinctive saline edge that gives real character. The acidity is perfectly balanced, providing structure without overwhelming the fruit.
FinishClean and lingering with chalky mineral precision that leaves you wanting another sip.
Overall impressionThis is Burgundian Chardonnay that prioritises freshness and elegance over power, delivering genuine regional character at an honest price.
Food Pairings
In Burgundy, this style of crisp white Chardonnay is the natural partner for the region's famous escargots de Bourgogne, swimming in garlic and parsley butter. Local chefs also pair it with pike quenelles in cream sauce, a Lyonnaise speciality that's become a Burgundian favourite, and the delicate goat cheeses from nearby Chaource. The wine's minerality and acidity cut beautifully through rich preparations whilst complementing the region's abundant freshwater fish from the Saône and its tributaries. During truffle season, it's often served alongside simple omelettes aux truffes, where the wine's restraint allows the precious tubers to shine.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 10-12°C to preserve its crisp, mineral character. No need to decant, but do give it a few minutes in the glass to open up and show its delicate florals. A classic white Burgundy glass with a slightly tapered bowl will concentrate the subtle aromatics whilst allowing the wine's natural freshness to shine. This drinks beautifully on its own as an aperitif or alongside food.
The Hautes-Côtes de Nuits sits in the hills above the famous Côte d'Or, at elevations of 300-400 metres where cooler temperatures preserve freshness. These limestone-rich soils with clay deposits provide excellent drainage whilst retaining enough moisture for the vines. The higher altitude and exposure to cooling winds create ideal conditions for Chardonnay, producing wines with natural acidity and mineral precision that reflect the region's chalky bedrock.
Hautes-Côtes de Nuits is the cooler, hillier cousin to the prestigious Côte de Nuits, known primarily for its red wines. Established as an AOC in 1961, it covers vineyards planted at higher elevations behind the famous villages of Gevrey-Chambertin, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Vosne-Romanée. The regulations permit both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with the latter benefiting enormously from the altitude and limestone soils. Whilst lacking the prestige of its valley neighbours, it consistently delivers exceptional value with true Burgundian character.
The 2022 growing season in Burgundy began with a worryingly dry spring that had vignerons checking soil moisture levels weekly, followed by a summer that alternated between intense heat and welcome rainfall. The vines handled the stress remarkably well, producing smaller berries with concentrated flavours, though yields dropped significantly across both the Côte d'Or and Chablis. Harvest began earlier than usual, with many producers picking in late August under bright skies.
What emerged from the cellars shows a vintage of surprising finesse given the challenging conditions. The Pinot Noirs display vivid fruit and firm tannins without the jammy weight you might expect from a hot year, whilst the Chardonnays retained their mineral backbone alongside ripe stone fruit flavours. We're finding the village-level wines particularly compelling right now, drinking beautifully with just a year or two of bottle age, though the premier and grand crus will reward patience until the late 2020s.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Crisp and refreshing with lemon, green apple, and chalky minerals. It's bright and food-friendly with a clean, saline finish that's distinctly Burgundian.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect to drink now through 2030. It's at its vibrant best in its youth, showing lovely citrus freshness and mineral precision.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Excellent with seafood, particularly oysters and grilled fish. Also brilliant with goat cheese, roast chicken, or creamy mushroom dishes where its acidity can cut through rich sauces.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve well-chilled at 10-12°C in a white Burgundy glass. No need to decant, but let it warm slightly in the glass to reveal its delicate aromatics.
Is this worth cellaring?
This is best enjoyed for its youthful freshness rather than aged. Whilst it will develop some honeyed complexity over 3-4 years, its charm lies in its current vibrancy and mineral precision.
How does this compare to other white Burgundies?
This offers genuine Burgundian character at a fraction of the price of Côte de Beaune whites. It's more mineral-driven and less oaky than many, with a freshness that comes from the higher altitude Hautes-Côtes vineyards.
OUR GROWERS
Maxime Cheurlin
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