Auxey Duresses, Blanc, Les Crais, 2022

Extremely chalky and fresh on the nose, with spicy smoky stony notes that slowly open to reveal layers of tightly wound fruit. Demure and yet intense with it, this is a slow build bottle that is all about poise, drive, cool nuts, smoky chalk and layered length. There are definite shades of the wines from more famous neighbouring village here. An excellent and singular Auxey Duresses vineyard that sits to West of the village, on the way to St Romain. Despite facing due South, it sits in a cold combe that makes for a terroir that is almost two degrees colder than the village. The 50-60-year-old vines sit on very chalk soils, thus the name Les Crais.