Visit to Charodon – Tasting the White 2024s

The 2024 vintage was problematic due to high humidity and a record-breaking mildew attack that devastated a lot of the harvest – especially the reds in Côte de Nuits.

Strangely, the white 2024s came through the vintage in remarkably fine form, and although yields were lower … the final result is remarkable.

The white 2024s have low alcohol and suitable ripeness … cool but rarely unripe … and offering a lot of finesse and refinement. The 2024s have the ripeness I prefer … and not the sweet yellow soup produced in some vintages.

In my view the 2024s are amongst the best vintages of White Burgundy … equalling 2010, 2014 … and clearly rivalling 2017 and the richer 2019. The 2024s are that good, and when you hear vignerons that say they have decided to keep back more magnióms for the kids … then you know they are feeling the emotions found in this vintage.

Vinous background

Louis Vallet is like his wines: vivacious, but with much more control and delicacy than one would expect. He is both a serious and a talented winemaker, coming from his family’s Domaine Pierre Bourée. At some point, he will get vineyards from that estate, but as is so often the case in Burgundy, family disagreements seem to go on and on.

In the meantime, Louis Vallet has turned the page and started a negociant business in the buildings of his parental home, the Château de Charodon just outside Beaune in Montagny-les-Beaune.

There is little doubt that Louis Vallet will harvest the fruits of the family vineyards one day. But starting out here, other vineyards are in focus.

Louis learned his trade from people like Pascal Marchand, and I see qualities in the Charodon (previously Château Charodon) wines influenced by Marchand’s visionary ideas. I also see influence from Bernard Zito, another prominent personality in Louis’ development as a vigneron.

These influences result in wines with generous, pure, mid-palate fruit; drinkability and enjoyability; and complexity without being over-engineered. They keep their simplicity, while revealing palpable potential.

Let’s taste the whites!

The whites have always been my favourites at Charodon; they are elegant and lovely wines with gorgeous balance. They are enjoyable and while they dont match the likes of Ramonet, Leflaive and the top-notch growers … they perform very well indeed.

Charodon Bourgogne Bourgogne Blanc 2024

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good – (87p) – Tasted 06/06/2023

Lovely fruit – nice balance and 2024 coolness – 90% stainless steel

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Charodon Bourgogne Saint Aubin Les Frionnes 2024

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good – (89p) – Tasted 07/05/2026

Quite rich and aromatic…. why not some big oysters for the Saint-Aubin acidity

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