La Belle Promenade Aligoté
La Belle Promenade Aligoté
The Wine
Our first-ever Aligoté, grown at La Belle Promenade Vineyard high in the Chehalem Mountains on volcanic Jory and Nekia soils. The site’s dramatic elevation and exposure shape fruit with striking verve and mineral tension — a natural fit for the variety’s clarity and lift. Our exploratory effort resulted in a refreshing, subtly salty and chalk-tinged Aligoté, lifted by wildflower florals and crisp orchard fruit. Aged patiently on lees for 18 months in both stainless steel and neutral oak cooperage, it carries a subtle creaminess that softens its edges without sacrificing freshness. This wine shines alongside seafood that carries a brine edge (oysters, mussels, grilled shrimp), or works beautifully with soft goat cheese, roasted squash, or crisp autumn vegetables dressed simply in herbs and citrus.
Press
94 Points - Decanter: "There's a brilliant texture and length to this Aligoté, a fun one off for winemaker Evan Martin sourced from La Belle Promenade Vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Taut green mangoes and white pepper, it's lean, austere and lively. Fresh and rocky on the palate, aged in a combination of stainless steel, neutral oak puncheon and neutral 228L with full malolactic. This approach lets winemaker Evan Martin layer acidity on the creamy lactic character. Knitting together this layered wine. Tingly acidity and crisp green apples linger on the finish."
93 Points - International Wine Report: "The 2023 Martin Woods La Belle Promenade Vineyard Aligoté from the Chehalem Mountains shines with brightness and clarity, offering aromas of crushed citrus leaf, green apple skin, and a subtle hint of flint. The palate is lively and taut, driven by grapefruit zest, green pear, and herbal undertones that ripple across a mineral-laced backbone. Medium-bodied, it carries both lift and delicacy, finishing with a clean edge that leaves the impression of mountain air and fresh herbs across the palate."
92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: "From the Chehalem Mountains, further north and less saline, the 2023 Aligoté La Belle Promenade is zesty, fresh, and springy, with notes of lemon balm, lime, melon rind, reductive smokiness, and delicate savory herbs. Medium-bodied, it’s elegant, pretty, and fruit-noted with a polished frame."
91 Points - Vinous: "The 2023 Aligoté La Belle Promenade Vineyard wafts with a perfumed blend of smoky crushed rocks, wildflowers and nuances of lime-tinged apricot. Nearly salty on the palate, it sweeps across the senses with almost oily textures as crisp orchard fruit swirls throughout. The finish is remarkably fresh and cleansing, with lingering salinity that keeps the mouth watering for more."
Our Tasting Notes:
Refreshing, subtly salty and chalk-tinged Aligoté, lifted by wildflower florals and crisp orchard fruit.
Paired Album
This 2024 album from the genre-bending group Glass Beams is undoubtedly a worthy companion to this 2023 Aligoté. This album is an ethereal atmospheic journey from end to end. Listening through this album is a hypnotic, immersive experience, dripping with freshness and singularity. Glass Beams - Mahal, 2024
