Les Cretes Chardonnay Cuvee Bois 2023

Les Crêtes Chardonnay Cuvée Bois 2023 is a refined, mountain-born expression of Chardonnay from Italy’s tiny, high-altitude Aosta Valley. Marrying Burgundian elegance with Alpine freshness, it offers a complex, barrel-fermented style without ever feeling heavy. This cuvée has become a modern benchmark for Italian Chardonnay, consistently recognised for its precision, finesse and age‑worthy structure.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Cuvée Bois 2023 shows a luminous straw-yellow colour with golden highlights, hinting at its time in oak and its concentration. The nose is layered and sophisticated: ripe orchard fruits like pear and Golden Delicious apple mingle with citrus zest, white flowers, toasted hazelnut, vanilla, brioche and a gentle mineral smokiness. On the palate, it is full and silky yet wonderfully fresh, with a vibrant Alpine acidity that lifts the richer, creamy textures. Flavours of ripe peach, baked apple and lemon curd are framed by subtle notes of spice, toasted oak, buttered pastry and crushed stone. The finish is long, precise and saline, leaving a clean, mouthwatering impression rather than heaviness. With its balance of fruit, oak and minerality, the 2023 has excellent aging potential: it will drink beautifully now but can evolve and gain further complexity over 6–10 years in a good cellar.

Production
Les Crêtes sources Chardonnay for Cuvée Bois from high-altitude vineyards in the Aosta Valley, where steep, terraced slopes, poor glacial soils and strong diurnal temperature swings create naturally low yields and intense, aromatic fruit. Grapes are typically harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve acidity and purity, with careful selection both in the vineyard and at the winery. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, often with a proportion of new wood, and the wine generally undergoes malolactic fermentation to add creaminess and depth. Extended aging on fine lees with regular bâtonnage builds texture and complexity, while preserving the distinct mineral line and freshness that define this Alpine Chardonnay.

Food & Serving
This Chardonnay is a versatile partner for refined dishes such as roasted chicken with herbs, veal in cream sauce, seared scallops, lobster, rich fish dishes (like turbot or halibut with beurre blanc), and mushroom risotto. It also pairs beautifully with Alpine cheeses, buttery polenta and truffle-accented cuisine. Serve at 10–12°C to highlight its freshness and aromatic detail; as it warms gently in the glass, the oak and pastry notes will unfold. Decanting for 30–45 minutes is recommended for youthful bottles like the 2023, helping the wine open up and reveal its full aromatic range.

Producer
Les Crêtes is one of the pioneering and most respected estates in the Aosta Valley, a remote, mountainous region tucked into Italy’s far northwest near the borders with France and Switzerland. Founded and run by the Charrère family, the winery has been instrumental in showcasing the potential of high-altitude viticulture and in bringing international attention to this tiny appellation. Working primarily with steep, terraced vineyards and low yields, Les Crêtes has developed a reputation for precision, elegance and a strong sense of place in all their wines. Cuvée Bois, in particular, has earned critical acclaim in Italy and abroad, helping to position the estate among the country’s leading producers of premium Chardonnay.

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