100% Aligoté

Sextant is the project of Julien Altaber, a negociant winemaker based in St Aubin, Burgundy. For Julien, Sextant is about “Special cuvées, pet nats, skins, fun and non-traditional wines”. The cellar is seen as a place to experiment and create, rather than only making terroir-based wines with big appellation names. Originally from the Auvergne, Julien Altaber started his career at the side of Dominique Derain in Saint-Aubin. Keen to produce his own cuvées, the two struck a deal whereby Julien would continue to help Dominique - all the while learning his trade - and in return he would help Julien source fruit and loan him the use of his cellar to produce his wines. In 2009, he purchased a 90-year old Aligoté parcel on Puligny; and he works with several organic growers in the Cotes de Beaune and Cotes Chalonnaise for parcels of fruit. A little Gamay and Pinot Gris coming from Beaujolais as well.

The Aligote is made with fruit from Julien’s own vineyard near Pommard. Fermentation starts in stainless steel, on skins, for around 12 days and is finished off in old barrels where it stays for around a year. An excellent orange wine that is bursting with flavour and complexity !

Tasting notes : Herbs, candied orange peel, touch of grip. Funky. 

Food pairing : Great with some stronger cheeses like Epoisses or a piece of Gruyère.