This is Comte Armand’s most prestigious holding, from two of the most prized parcels of the village of Auxey-Duresses are assembled for this wine. Les Breterins is a south-facing parcel with light, white soil prompting earlier ripeness and wines abundant with fruit. Les Duresses is southeast facing with brown clay earth - more dense, and tannic results. The complementarity of these two parcels results in a serious, powerful wine. Only 5000 bottles made.
The 2022 Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet with brambly black fruit, wild strawberry and a touch of white pepper. This is much more complex than the Village Cru. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly finer tannins than the Village Cru, still quite structured, which is why Paul Zanetti told me he would do a longer barrel aging to soften the texture. Promising, but be patient. 89-91 Neal Martin, Vinous