AJVaona 2023

AJ Vaona …

The couple Alexandre Carminati and Justine Mongeard in Vosne-Romanée have started a new Domaine AJ Vaona.

The AJ Vaona estate is an offspring of the big Mongeard Mugneret estate in Vosne-Romanée … AJ Vaona is an estate being Domaine and Negociant with most af the vineyards originating from the family estates.

Justine Mongeard, the daughter of Anne & Vincent Mongeard, and her husband, Alexandre Carminati, are not spring chickens … and now they have put soul and experience into this project: AJ VAONA.

They have prepared this startup for many years … and they have included Vaona along with their initials (Vaona is the former Gaulish name of Vosne).

Justine is an experienced estate manager, as she has worked for many years at the family Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret and other prestigious Domaines in Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits.

Her husband, Alexandre, also has many years of experience, working as Vincent Mongeard’s right hand at the Domaine for 7 years, and has recently worked at Maison Nicolas Potel in Beaune.

The estate is historically linked to Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret as it is located in the former cellar of Dominique Mugneret, which is also the place where Jean Mongeard, grandfather of Justine, had vinified his first vintages!

The AJVaona is just starting up with the 2022 vintage with a combination of negociant wines and wines from the family estate – both red and whites.

I had the chance to taste a few wines with a good friend, and was quite impressed by the quality and the style … hence I de decided to visit AJvaona …

The Style

The style is more refined and pure than the Mongeard’s more extravagant oaked wines. They have a slight Vosne note, but not much … and would describe them as elegant and with a quite neutral and discrete but agreeable style.

I have only tasted about 15 wines so far … so will reserve my final evaluation on the style. But let’s be honest … seems very agreeable and elegant – yet not overtly focused and precise.

Lets go ..

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AJVaona Bourgogne Blanc 2023

Nice fresh note … lively with a good density. Good aromas and depth …. drinking well.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good (87p)

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AJVaona Meursault 2023

The Meursault is a surprisingly vivid and fresh wine. Rare to find a Vosne Meursault with such balance and livelyness. Phenolics slightly on the cool side … keeping the Vosne impression in place …. 50% new oak.

(Drink from 2029) – Very Good (89p) –

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AJVaona Bourgogne Rouges 2023

Very fresh … lightfooted and delicate. Drinking well – and yields nice generosity

(Drink from 2026) – Good (86-87p) –

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Ajvaona Hautes Côte de Nuits Les Dame Huguette 2023

On the cooler side, with a light mid-palate fruit. Suits Les Dame Huguette well, as it enhances the elegant side of this fine vineyard… very nice indeed.

(Drink from 2029) – Very Good (88p) –

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