Alussia … the former Mayhem

Burgundy is a very small world, and it’s interlinked in many peculiar and explainable ways. The family links are many, and there are many connections that are not that well-known to the outsiders. And they turn up when you least expect them.

I was tasting at Jane Eyre just south of Beaune when I ran into Jane’s niece, Alexandra Wilson, who attended the tasting of the Jane Eyre 2024 vintage.

We started chatting during the tasting, and I found out that Alexandra is making her own wines in Burgundy.

One thing led to another, and I decided that I needed to go to Mayhem located in downtown Aloxe.

The old Domaine Mischief and Mayhem

It turned out that Alexandra Wilson is the new winemaker at Alussia – the former Domaine Mischief and Mayhem.

According to legend, the mighty hill of Corton, was first planted to vines by the Emperor Charlemagne in 775 AD. By the ninth century, the most important settlement was known as Alussia. Over the centuries the wines have changed, and the name gradually evolved to be Aloxe. In 1862, the name Corton was added, and the commune is now known as Aloxe-Corton.

Mischief and Mayhem – was a small estate in Aloxe Corton owned by an English couple who, like many others, tried to live their dream of producing wine in Burgundy. I have bumped into the wines from this estate from time to time. Sometimes, they show well. Other times, they are more floating into oblivion.

Now, new owners have taken over, renamed the estate to Alussia, and changed the winemaking team.

The new winemaker is Alexandra Wilson, niece of Jane Eyre, and she previously worked for Jane Eyre and Benjamin Leroux – small world indeed.

Alexandra Wilson just started up – 2024 is her first vintage. This is no doubt a difficult vintage, and while she has had good help from friends and courtiers, the making of, the reds 2024s have been especially difficult. Some of them end up beautiful while others are a bit more problematic … as the 2024 can be.

I have decided to focus on the whites, as they are showing a clearer view of style and potential. The reds show good promise, but knowing some of the issues with the red 2024s … I prefer to wait until the 2025 vintage to take a closer look.

Bourgogne Aligoté

The Aligoté 2024 is pure and lovely. Has delicate fruit and rich flavours. Stylewise, more on the aperitif side, a lovely glass.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good – (89p) –

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Côteaux Bourguignons En Bollery

Downtown (below the national road) Vosne/Vougeot. It’s rich and generous, but on the border phenolic-wise with the fruit on the riper side. With spicy food, this could work well.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good – (87-88p)

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Côte de Nuits Toppe Citeau

In the centre of Comblanchien, we find the Toppe Citeau vineyard (just below D974). Phenolics are fresh and the lively red minerality … an interesting wine in my book. What a treat. Always nice to discover new terroirs.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good – (89p) –

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