Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme, Aligoté 2022

Domaine Pierre-Olivier Bonhomme is the continuation of the Puzelat-Bonhomme project Pierre-Olivier began with fellow winemaker Thierry Puzelat. Eventually Thierry returned to his family estate Clos du Tue Bœuf and Bonhomme took sole responsibility of the vineyards covering around 9 hectares. There is a focus here on reinstating endangered and indigenous grapes varietals of Loire as high quality wines. Both white and red wines are fermented and aged in old oak barrels. Like its title suggests, Aligoté 2022 is 100% Aligoté from 70-year-old parcels on sandy soils. These vines previously belonged to legendary late winemaker Olivier Lemasson. Grapes are hand-picked late in the harvest before direct pressing, spontaneous fermentation and ageing in neutral demi-muid. Mineral and light but packed full of high acid fruit notes like pineapple, cantaloupe melon and green apple as well as honey-like aromatics. Malolactic, rounded mouthfeel and a touch of smokiness in the aftertaste. Aligoté 2022 would pair well with grilled prawns with lime or even just a bite of Comté.