Elévation 424 Crémant de Bourgogne Extra Brut AOP 2021
A single-varietal Aligoté sparkling wine from the high-altitude vineyards of the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, captivating with its taut acidity and fascinating aromatic complexity.
Rich golden yellow with coppery reflections and a lively, vigorous mousse.
Nose
A multi-layered bouquet of dried fruits such as dried apricots and pears, alongside sliced apple, honeydew melon and orange blossom water; underpinned by shortbread, candied lemon peel, Darjeeling tea, beeswax and quince jelly.
Palate
On the palate, an exciting contrast emerges: taut acidity and a spirited mousse meet a creamy texture and wild, slightly oxidative notes reminiscent of apple and pear cider. Broad, multifaceted and with a persistent finish.
Character
A complex, unconventional Crémant with depth and personality – the subtly oxidative aromas and firm structure make it a sparkling wine for explorers, far surpassing typical apéritif wines.
Pairing
Mini quiches with apple, leek and a smoked crème fraîche topping, scampi fritters with a zesty quince and lemongrass chutney, or suckling pig ribs served with braised quince and cabbage.
Notes
A single-varietal Aligoté Crémant from the high-altitude vineyards of the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune (up to 421 metres), where the grapes ripen later and thus retain exceptional freshness. From Burgundy’s first Demeter-certified estate, which has been farming biodynamically since 1984.
Tasting note
Colour & appearance
Deep golden yellow with coppery reflections and a vigorous, fine mousse.
Nose
Like wandering through an oriental bazaar: dried apricots and pears, accompanied by gently oxidative hints of sliced apples, honeydew melon and orange blossom water. Behind these lie shortbread, candied citron, a cup of freshly brewed Darjeeling, beeswax and quince jelly.
Palate
The generous aromatic cascades are countered on the palate by taut acidity and a vigorous mousse. Aromatically broader and more multifaceted than its slender structure might suggest. Creamy texture meets wild, oxidative notes reminiscent of apple and pear cider — a tension-filled contrast between richness and drive.
Finish
Taut and dry, with lingering citrus freshness and a fine, almost saline aftertaste that underscores its Extra Brut character.
Terroir & origin
The grapes come from the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, where Domaine Boris Champy’s vineyards sit at altitudes between 377 and 421 metres — a reference echoed in the name Elévation 424. In these sites, the grapes ripen about a week later than on the Côte de Beaune, preserving their natural freshness and elegance. For Champy, these high-altitude vineyards represent the future of Burgundy in the age of climate change.
Grape variety & vinification
A Crémant de Bourgogne made from Aligoté — Burgundy’s often underrated second white grape variety, which here reveals its full versatility as a sparkling wine. The domaine has been farmed biodynamically since 1984 and was the first Demeter-certified estate in Burgundy. Vinification relies on spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts and minimal intervention.
Food pairings
Mini quiches with apple, leek and smoked crème fraîche, scampi fritters with a zesty quince and lemongrass chutney, or suckling pig ribs served over braised quince and cabbage — dishes that mirror the interplay of fruit, acidity and oxidative depth in this Crémant.
Special notes
Boris Champy arrived here via a winding path: ten years at Dominus Estate in Napa Valley, a stint at Clos des Lambrays, then a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago — before finally taking over this pioneering domaine in Nantoux in 2019. The fact that he elevates Aligoté into a Crémant of such distinction, achieving an aromatic profile that oscillates between bazaar and alpine meadow, says much about his vision of Burgundy: little deference to hierarchy, but all the more respect for what altitude can yield.
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