Mandelot “La Gredine” Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc '23

Domaine de Mandelot is a rising Hautes-Côtes de Beaune estate founded by François Grangé—formerly the long-time régisseur at Chandon de Briailles (9 years)—who released his first full vintage in 2023. François moved his family to the small village of Mavilly-Mandelot, his only intentions to find a quiet place to raise his family, as well as take care of his herd of Mangalitsa pigs. It was a chance encounter with a new neighbor that had recently purchased a prominent group of vineyards in the village, that he got involved in this new and exciting venture. With 6 hectares planted on various parcels around the village at an altitude of roughly 450 meters, his team of 4 along with his horse named Gamin, got to work. They converted the domaine’s vineyards to organic, low-intervention farming. Working mainly on clay-rich, higher-altitude soils, Grangé employs horse ploughing, minimal treatments (sometimes even skimmed milk in place of sulphur), and additive-free vinification with whole-cluster harvesting and little to no new oak.

The 2023 “La Gredine” is made entirely of Chardonnay from 55 year-old east-facing vines on grey clay soils with some limestone scree. François gives the grapes a slow whole bunch press for around 18 hours, before ageing in 10 hectolitre oak barrels. Chock full of citrus, stone fruit and mineral notes, this is fine and pure.