# Julien Altaber Plein Po (2023)

- **Producer:** Julien Altaber
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.0%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, apricot, lemon, orange, herbaceous, butter, toast, dried apricot, honey, hay

## About this wine

Julien Altaber grew up in Auvergne before moving to Burgundy, where he trained for nearly a decade alongside natural winemaking pioneer Dominique Derain in Saint-Aubin. In 2007, Altaber began crafting his own low-intervention micro-cuvées under the Sextant label, eventually taking over Domaine Derain in 2016 while continuing Sextant as a venue for creative winemaking. Sourced from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, Plein Po represents a modern, expressive interpretation of noble Burgundy terroir.

## Interesting facts

- Julien Altaber learned natural winemaking as cellar assistant to Burgundy legend Dominique Derain.
- Plein Po applies skin-contact white winemaking to organic Puligny-Montrachet Chardonnay.
- The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered with zero or minimal added sulfites.

## Food pairing

The subtle phenolic grip and vibrant acidity from skin-macerated Chardonnay allow this natural white wine to bridge the gap between traditional whites and light reds. It stands up seamlessly to savory pork dishes, earthy wild mushrooms, and rich cow or goat milk cheeses.

## Wine making process

Fruit for Plein Po is harvested from 20-year-old Chardonnay vines in the 'La Corvée aux Moines' lieu-dit in Puligny-Montrachet. The hand-picked grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts and skin maceration for several weeks prior to pressing. The wine matures for roughly 10 months in neutral vessels on fine lees before being bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without added sulfites.