# Côte de Beaune Blanc "Les Monsnières" (2024)

- **Producer:** Domaine Les Horées
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €150
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 11–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, stone fruit, peach, lemon, grapefruit, herbaceous, fennel, butter, marmalade, almond, hazelnut, walnut

## About this wine

Domaine Les Horées, established in 2019 by Catharina and Guilhem Sadde, is a Burgundy estate rooted in a deep respect for nature and tradition. Catharina, a former chef with extensive winemaking experience including at legendary estates like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, brings a meticulous approach to their viticulture and winemaking. The name 'Les Horées' draws inspiration from Greek mythology, celebrating the goddesses of the seasons and the natural cycles of the year. This particular cuvée, 'Les Monsnières', hails from a unique, high-elevation parcel situated above Beaune, surrounded by forest. The vineyard, restored by Catharina starting in 2022, is farmed using uncertified biodynamic methods. The co-planting of Chardonnay with a small percentage of Pinot Blanc in this specific lieu-dit adds a distinctive textural complexity to the wine, while the terroir imparts a pronounced mineral character.

## Interesting facts

- The vineyard parcel 'Les Monsnières' is co-planted with 5% Pinot Blanc alongside Chardonnay.
- The estate name 'Les Horées' refers to the Greek goddesses of the seasons.
- Catharina Sadde previously worked at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
- The 2024 vintage in Burgundy was marked by challenging weather, leading to lower yields but exceptional purity.

## Food pairing

This Côte de Beaune Blanc excels with lighter fare that complements its vibrant acidity, saline minerality, and nuanced fruit profile. Delicate seafood, poultry dishes with subtle sauces, and fresh cheeses are ideal partners. The wine's structure and complexity can handle dishes with a touch of richness, provided the overall profile remains elegant. Avoid overpowering flavors that would mask the wine's fine details.

## Wine making process

The grapes for 'Les Monsnières' are sourced from a 1.7-hectare parcel planted in 2015, characterized by shallow, well-draining soils with limestone pebbles and a mix of red clay and grey soils. Farming is uncertified biodynamic, with hand-harvesting and strict sorting. The winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention. Grapes are whole-cluster pressed using a vertical press, and fermentation is spontaneous, driven by native yeasts. No additives are used during vinification. The wine then undergoes 10 months of aging in neutral 228-liter and 500-liter oak barrels. A minimal amount of sulfur dioxide is added only after malolactic fermentation is complete. The wine is bottled unfiltered.