Agnes Paquet 'Les Hoz' Auxey-Duresses Rouge 2023
The Wine
Les Hoz’vineyard in Auxey-Duresses is south-facing with deep white limestone soils. Half planted in the 1950s and the other half in 2000. The wine is fresh and pure with a fine texture carried along by red and black fruits with spice on the finish. Slick, textural and fresh with a gentle tannin structure. Again, this wine is charming straight out of the bottle, such is the purity of Agnes wines. Super cellarable too - Highly recommended!
16.5 Pts Janisrobinson.com 'Also fragrant (like the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune). Also ethereal, perhaps even more so. Also, fluent and strawberries bleed into cherries, and the wine seems to want to find its way through rocks and roots to pool in the palms of your hands.'
The Details
Variety - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Sub Region - Auxey-Duresses
Vintage - 2023
Extra - Cork
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker
Agnes Paquet is recognized locally as a leading innovator of the current generation. Her estate boasts vineyards in Cotes de Beaune and Hautes-Cotes de Beaune. Agnes is keenly aware of terroir nuances and maintains a traditional approach in her vineyards. Since 2004, chemical herbicides have been eliminated.
While not certified organic or biodynamic, she follows these practices closely. From 2022 the wines have been ‘Ecocert’ certified - the wines now bear the ‘AB’ label. Vineyard labor is essential, especially when the vines are most active from May to July, during which the workforce expands to 13. The harvest is done by hand, with sorting done both in the field and at the winery. Fermentations are initiated solely by natural yeasts, with minimal SO2 usage.
I can attest to the quality and management of the vineyards as some of her plots in the Hautes-Cotes around Meloisey are adjacent to or nearby to those of Domaine Dandelion (which I work at during vintage). The wines are uber supple and pure - they convey their terrior faithfully. Purchasers will not be disappointed with the quality here - the wines are highly drinkable - accessable now and the reds will development further complexity in the cellar! TC
