Domaine Caroline Frey : Auxey-Duresses 1er cru "Le Val" 2020

Tasting Notes and Serving Tips for the Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru "Le Val" 2020 from Domaine Caroline Frey

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep garnet hue, reflecting the grapes’ full ripeness and the vintage’s concentration.

Nose

The nose displays fine aromatic complexity, with floral notes of peony and wild rose. These are joined by red-fruit aromas such as sour cherry and redcurrant, alongside peppery, subtly spicy nuances that unfold with aeration.

Palate

The attack on the palate is refined, supple, and fleshy. Well-structured, silky tannins provide an elegant texture, while naturally balanced acidity sustains freshness and vibrancy throughout the tasting. The finish offers harmonious, lingering persistence.

Food and Wine Pairing

This wine pairs ideally with delicate white meats and poultry, notably roast chicken or herb-roasted poultry. It also matches beautifully with fine charcuterie, homemade terrines, as well as veal or pork roasts prepared with herbes de Provence. For a bolder pairing, it can accompany certain subtly prepared grilled fish.

Serving

It is recommended to serve the Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru "Le Val" 2020 at a temperature between 15 and 16°C.

An Elegant and Refined Burgundy Premier Cru from Domaine Caroline Frey

The estate

Acquired in 2014 by the Frey family group, Domaine Caroline Frey spans seven hectares in the heart of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy. Based at Château Corton C, a 19th-century historic monument located in Aloxe-Corton, the estate produces wines across thirteen prestigious appellations. Caroline Frey, a winemaker internationally recognized for her commitment to biodynamic viticulture, led the estate until July 2025. Her sister, Delphine Frey, now ensures continuity in its leadership, carrying forward the philosophy of quality and respect for the terroirs established since the acquisition.

The vineyard

The Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru "Le Val" comes from a climat set on exceptionally limestone-rich soils, benefiting from a due-south exposure. This specific geological configuration, where limestone largely dominates, combined with generous sunshine, creates ideal conditions for Pinot Noir to ripen. The terroir gives the wine naturally balanced acidity and distinctive minerality. The vines are farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, certified since 2021.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy proved exceptional, offering a rare balance between concentration and natural acidity. After a mild winter, the year was marked by warm, sunny summer conditions that enabled optimal grape ripening. The favorable weather produced wines with fine structure and preserved freshness, promising excellent aging potential.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for the Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru "Le Val" 2020 are carefully sorted before and after complete destemming. Vinification is carried out with indigenous yeasts in custom oval concrete vats, whose thermal inertia allows controlled fermentation that preserves the delicate qualities of Pinot Noir. Aging lasts twelve to twenty months, split between 30% new French oak barrels, second-fill barrels, and clayvers, creating a complex, nuanced texture.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir