Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Bourgogne-Aligote Les Grandes Terres 2020
(Burgundy, France)

About The Winery:
A committed classicist, Vincent Bitouzet has provided us with over thirty-years worth of structured, demanding, age-worthy, satisfying wines, both red and white, from the heart of the Cote de Beaune. Based in Volnay and blessed with extensive holdings in Meursault as well, this domaine is a tried and true standard bearer for all that is fundamentally good and sound in Burgundy: conscientious and sensitive work in the vineyards, respect above all for the specific character of each lieu-dit, patience and attention to detail in the cellar, and a commitment to producing wines of depth and, of critical importance, longevity. To truly understand great white and red burgundy, one must wait for these grand expressions of terroir to mature to reveal their splendor and spectacular nuance.

Vincent Bitouzet's ancestral roots in Burgundy cover at least the last two centuries. His great-great grandfather, M. Gillotte, arrived in Auxey Duresses in 1802 and was mayor of that village. In 1804, the Bitouzet line settled in Volnay. The Bitouzets were one of the first of the family domaines in this region to bottle their wines. Vincent's grandfather had already garnered medals for his winemaking talents in 1860. Vincent's wife, Annie Prieur, has equally distinguished antecedents. Her family (both Prieurs and Perronnets) was long established in Meursault and Ladoix. The resulting "merger" of the Bitouzet and Prieur family holdings has created a domaine of distinction and breadth. Francois Bitouzet, the only son of Vincent and Annie, is now working hand-in-hand with his parents as he maintains the deep Burgundian roots of his ancestors.

Vincent Bitouzet has been in partnership with importer Neil Rosenthal for over 30 years, bringing classic, old-school Burgundy to wine lovers in the U.S. His great-great-grandfather established the domaine, and when Vincent married Anne Prieur she brought along her own family history of winemaking along with significant vineyard holdings. Today the domaine is about 12 hectares in Volnay and Meursault.

All of the Bitouzet-Prieur vineyards are farmed organically. Copper is kept to a minimum and sexual confusion is employed to reduce insect infestations. winemaking is very traditional, native yeast fermentation and aging in mostly used barrique.

About The Vineyard:
François Bitouzet produces a beautifully textured Aligoté from a parcel that was planted above Meursault in 1975, and the age of the vines provides low yields of around 50 hl/ha, crucial for this workhorse grape. The wine is fermented and settled in tank then rests in used 228-liter barrels on the fine lees from his production of Meursault Premier Cru, adding complexity and density. This kind of quality from the Aligoté grape is rare and the importer secured an exclusive to the US, bringing in the entire production ofjust under 150 cases.

Ratings & Reviews:

Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Bourgogne Aligoté has a light waxy bouquet, the palate well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and pleasant nectarine and ginger tinged finish. This should drink well after bottling - a fine Aligoté." - Neal Martin (Dec 2021)

Allen Meadows' BurgHound:
"Very fresh aromas of green apple, white flower and a plenitude of citrus elements gives way to racy and impressively intense middle weight flavors that possess very good delineation on the agreeably dry and refreshing finish. If you enjoy aligoté, this is definitely better than the average example." (Jun 2022)