2022 Philippe Pacalet, Ladoix Blanc

Burgundy, France | 100% Chardonnay

Ladoix Blanc is one of Burgundy’s great insider secrets, located at the very start of the Côte de Beaune and right near the powerhouse Corton Grand Cru vineyards. This proximity means the soil is packed with the kind of limestone-rich minerality that makes for world-class Chardonnay - you just don't have to pay the premium.

In the hands of Philippe Pacalet, the 2022 vintage offers a beautiful snapshot of this site: a wine that manages to be both ripe and intensely fresh. Pacalet uses a minimalist, natural approach—no added yeasts, no aggressive oak—to ensure the pure character of the vineyard shines through.

Forget heavy, buttery Chardonnay; this is all about tension and clarity. The nose is vibrant with bright citrus (lemon zest, green apple) and white flowers. There's a generous core of fruit from the warm 2022 vintage, but it's brilliantly balanced by a lively, almost salty acidity that runs through the finish. It’s a sophisticated white that is deceptively easy to drink.