Dandelion Aligoté 2022 Lands

We have just received a new release from Domaine Dandelion in Burgundy. If you are not familiar with the wines of Christian Knott, this 2022 vintage of his Aligoté could be your starting point.

Christian hails from Australia but farms 2.2 hectares of vines near Saint-Romain in the famous Côtes de Beaune region of Burgundy. He is a natural winemaker in the truest sense. Organic and biodynamic techniques are employed in the vineyard, all the fermentations are completed with ambient yeast, no filtration and no added sulphur. The labels are made in an old paper press and include real flowers from the vineyards. 

Aligoté 2022 is made with grapes from two different plots which Christian believes brings balance to the final wine. The first parcel is a quarter of a hectare in size and is known as "Vigne de Cret". It was plated with Aligoté vines in 1940 and has rich and soft soils that produce good yields. The second plot, "Goutte d'Or" is half a hectare that was planted in 1944. Aligoté finds the shallow top soil and limestone soils more difficult here, but the grapes that are produced offer the perfect partner to the more energetic "Vigne de Cret."

All grapes underwent direct press into old 500 litre barrels where the wine was aged for 18 months. All movements by gravity, no filtration, fining or added sulphur. Very small production as with all of Christian's wine.

Now also feels like a good time to mention Christian's Cidre 2022 that arrived a couple of months ago. Made with organic apples from growers in the north of Burgundy, this is a fully natural cider made with no use of enzymes or added sulphur. Only 400 bottles produced.

Finally, you can find a whole host of back vintages of Christian Pinot Noir cuvées in our cellar.

Happy Drinking!