Les Cretes Pinot Gris Brulant 2024

Les Crêtes Pinot Gris Brûlant 2024 is a refined mountain white from the dramatic slopes of Italy’s Aosta Valley, where Alpine freshness meets northern Italian elegance. Crafted entirely from Pinot Gris, this cuvée captures the unique balance of sun-drenched days and cool nights that define this high-altitude region. The name “Brûlant” hints at the warm, well-exposed parcel from which the grapes are sourced, a site that has helped establish Les Crêtes as a reference point for serious, site-expressive Alpine whites.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Les Crêtes Pinot Gris Brûlant 2024 shows a luminous straw-yellow color with pale golden reflections, hinting at both freshness and concentration. The nose opens with fragrant notes of ripe pear, Golden Delicious apple, and white peach, layered with delicate alpine flowers, hints of acacia, and subtle citrus zest. With a bit of air, more complex nuances emerge: a touch of honeycomb, wet stone, and a faint spice reminiscent of white pepper and nutmeg. On the palate, this Pinot Gris is precise and vibrant, with a crisp, mountain-driven acidity carrying flavors of orchard fruit, lemon curd, and fresh melon. A gentle, rounded texture fills out the mid-palate without ever feeling heavy, leading to a clean, mineral-laced finish. The interplay between richness and tension is the hallmark here: juicy fruit up front, a saline, stony core, and a long, refreshing aftertaste. Enjoyable in its youth for its purity and lift, the 2024 vintage also has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 3–5 years, gaining additional complexity and subtle honeyed notes with short-term cellaring.

Production
The grapes for Pinot Gris Brûlant are sourced from hillside vineyards in the Aosta Valley, planted on steep, terraced slopes at high altitude with a predominantly sandy, moraine and glacial soil profile rich in minerals. The strong diurnal range—warm, sunny days followed by cool nights—helps preserve acidity and aromatic intensity in the grapes. Harvest is typically carried out by hand to ensure careful selection of bunches, given the challenging terrain and the attention to detail that Les Crêtes is known for. In the cellar, the grapes are gently pressed, and the must is fermented at controlled temperatures in stainless steel to preserve freshness and aromatic precision. Aging continues on fine lees for several months, with periodic bâtonnage, adding texture and complexity while maintaining the wine’s hallmark clarity and purity of fruit.

Food & Serving
Les Crêtes Pinot Gris Brûlant 2024 is an excellent partner for delicate yet flavorful dishes: think seared scallops, alpine trout, shellfish, grilled prawns, and simply prepared white fish with lemon and herbs. It also pairs beautifully with vegetable risotto, fresh goat’s cheese, light poultry dishes, and charcuterie typical of the Alps, such as speck or cured ham, where its acidity cuts through the richness. Serve well-chilled but not icy, ideally around 8–10°C (46–50°F), to allow the aromas to fully express themselves. Decanting is not essential, but pouring the wine into a slightly larger white wine glass and giving it a few minutes in the glass will help open up its floral and mineral nuances.

Producer
Les Crêtes is one of the pioneering estates of the Aosta Valley, a small yet remarkable wine region nestled in the Italian Alps near the borders with France and Switzerland. Founded by the Charrère family, the estate has been instrumental in showcasing the potential of high-altitude viticulture and local as well as international grape varieties in this mountainous corner of Italy. Working predominantly with steep, terraced vineyards and challenging Alpine conditions, Les Crêtes has earned a reputation for precision, consistency, and a clear expression of terroir. Their wines, including this Pinot Gris Brûlant, are frequently cited as benchmarks for the region, helping to elevate the Aosta Valley’s profile on the international fine wine stage.

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