2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC ‘Les Terrasses des Vallerots’, Organic, Bertrand et Axelle Machard de Gramont

Axelle Machard de Gramont has had a tough few years, having converted to organic viticulture at a time when Mother Nature decided to throw the cart at the vineyards. Most of their Nuits vines are at the top of the steep slopes, with very poor soils, which leaves them very vulnerable in dry years, and equally vulnerable to frost as they remain relatively cold. That said, Axelle has managed to maintain her organic status, even in 2016 and 2021 when the pressure from mildew, oidium and then botrytis threatened to become overwhelming, and has absolutely no regrets about the conversion – although she wouldn’t mind a little more volume! From 2019 onwards, the wines are spending a maximum of 12 months in barrel before finishing their maturation in tank, partly for expediency and barrel turnover, but more because, even with a really big, fruity wine, Axelle believes that is more than enough time in wood for the style she wants to make – the wines have a depth of purity and elegance rather than brute power, with the fruit to the fore.