Jeremy Arnaud Bourgogne Tonnerre Les Huees 2022 750ml

Product Info

Terroir
The 2022 Bourgogne Tonnerre “Les Huées” from Jérémy Arnaud offers a crystalline reflection of northern Burgundy’s lesser-known yet highly distinctive terroir. The Tonnerre appellation, situated just east of Chablis in the Yonne department, benefits from the same Kimmeridgian limestone and clay-marl soils that have made Chablis world famous. These ancient marine sediments—rich in fossilized oyster shells—impart the hallmark tension, minerality, and saline precision that define the region’s finest Chardonnays. The 2022 vintage was a generous and balanced one, marked by a mild spring, warm but not excessive summer temperatures, and an extended harvest window that allowed for perfect phenolic ripeness. The vineyards of Les Huées sit on south- and southwest-facing slopes, ensuring full sun exposure while cool evening breezes from the nearby Armançon Valley preserve acidity. The result is fruit of remarkable purity and balance—ripe yet restrained, vibrant yet textured.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
Jérémy Arnaud, a rising star of Burgundy’s next generation, brings a meticulous, terroir-driven philosophy to his winemaking. The Chardonnay grapes for Les Huées are hand-harvested and sorted rigorously to ensure only pristine clusters make it into the cellar. The juice is whole-cluster pressed with minimal oxidation to preserve delicate aromatics, then fermented using native yeasts—a choice that allows each parcel’s character to emerge authentically. Fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak barrels, balancing freshness with texture. The wine is aged 10 months on fine lees, with gentle bâtonnage performed sparingly to enhance body without blurring the mineral edge. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally, softening the acidity while maintaining structure. The finished wine is lightly fined and minimally filtered before bottling, reflecting Arnaud’s low-interventionist approach that prizes purity and precision above all else.

Tasting Notes
The 2022 Bourgogne Tonnerre Les Huées shimmers pale gold in the glass, with silver reflections that hint at its vibrancy. The nose is immediately expressive yet refined, opening with aromas of lemon zest, white peach, and green apple, intertwined with subtler notes of chalk dust, acacia blossom, and wet limestone. With air, the bouquet deepens into hints of pear skin, almond cream, and faint smoke, suggesting quiet complexity beneath the wine’s linear frame. On the palate, it is taut, focused, and beautifully balanced—delivering flavors of citrus confit, orchard fruit, and crushed oyster shell, carried by a vivid backbone of acidity. The texture is silken yet tensile, with a faint saline note that lingers on the long, chalk-infused finish. This is an elegant and articulate expression of northern Burgundy—refined, transparent, and full of quiet confidence.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve at 50–52 °F (10–11 °C) in a fine Burgundy-style white wine glass to highlight its precision and subtle aromatics. The 2022 Les Huées is an ideal companion to dishes that emphasize texture and minerality—think oysters on the half shell, grilled sea bass with lemon and herbs, or sole meunière. Its vibrant acidity also makes it a beautiful match for goat cheese crostini, crab salad with citrus dressing, or risotto with spring vegetables. For a slightly richer pairing, try roast chicken with tarragon or buttered linguine with clams and white wine. The wine’s purity and linear energy make it superb as an aperitif as well. Enjoy now for its youthful brightness, or cellar for up to 5 years to allow its mineral core and subtle lees complexity to unfold fully.