Domaine Michel Lafarge Bourgogne Aligote Raisins Dores 2023
We have 5 in stock (Inventory is live and accurate)
Summer Shipping Advisory: Orders may be temporarily held during periods of extreme heat to ensure wine arrives in optimal condition.
View current shipping weather map →
The Land
Aligoté has a reputation problem. In most of Burgundy it plays second fiddle to Chardonnay, producing thin, high-acid wines best suited for Kir. The Raisins Dorés is a different biotype — a golden-skinned clone that produces smaller, more concentrated berries with considerably more richness and complexity than standard Aligoté. Lafarge's 0.8-hectare parcel of Raisins Dorés was planted in 1937 on clay-limestone soils in the commune of Volnay and is farmed with the same biodynamic rigor as the estate's premier cru Pinot Noir. The result consistently surprises people who formed their opinions on Aligoté from lesser examples.
The Wine
100% Aligoté (Raisins Dorés clone) from vines planted in 1937. Whole-cluster pressed, fermented with ambient yeasts, aged 15 to 18 months in used barrels. The Lafarges harvest this parcel a couple of weeks after the main harvest, allowing the Raisins Dorés to reach full physiological maturity — a detail that matters for a clone whose natural acidity can dominate if picked too early. The 2023 vintage was Burgundy's warmest on record, and the late-harvest timing combined with old vine concentration gave the wine unusual richness without sacrificing the grape's inherent tension. Lemon cream, white flowers, toasted almond, and saline mineral finish. Nothing like standard Aligoté.
The People
Domaine Michel Lafarge is the defining address for Volnay. Michel Lafarge began estate-bottling in the 1950s when the practice was rare, and passed away in 2020 after more than six decades of winemaking. His son Frédéric and granddaughter Clothilde now run the estate, farming biodynamically throughout under both Demeter and Ecocert certification. The Raisins Dorés Aligoté is small-production and has become one of the most sought-after bottles in the range precisely because it defies expectations about the grape.
Food Pairing
Sautéed sweetbreads with lemon and capers, pan-fried trout with brown butter and herbs, fresh goat cheese with honey, or a spring vegetable risotto with parmesan. A white with enough acidity to cut through richness and enough texture to carry real food. Better than most Burgundy whites at twice the price.
We ship wine to most states with a $100 minimum order for shipping. We don't ship spirits nor beer.
Weather shipping advisory: Orders placed during times of extreme heat or extreme cold will be held for no charge until more favorable weather returns.
Burgundy, in eastern France, encompasses several subregions, but it is the Côte d'Or that is home to many of the world's most expensive and revered wines. The region, primarily a single east-facing slope, has mixed limestone soils that vary dramatically from village to village and even vineyard to vineyard. White wines, crafted from Chardonnay, range from rich and opulent to lean and intensely mineral, while Pinot Noir produces silky, perfumed red wines of exceptional finesse and complexity. Centuries of winemaking tradition have resulted in every plot being meticulously recognized and scrutinized, making the Côte d'Or a true capital of terroir.
Burgundy - Cote d'Or
Aligoté is a historic white grape of Burgundy, long overshadowed by Chardonnay but increasingly valued for its freshness and versatility. First documented in the region in the 18th century, it was traditionally used in everyday wines or blended with crème de cassis for Kir. Today, quality-minded producers—especially in Bouzeron, the only communal AOC dedicated to the grape—are showing its potential when grown on limestone soils and handled with care. Aligoté typically offers high acidity, light body, and flavors of green apple, citrus, and subtle herbal notes, making it a crisp, food-friendly alternative to richer white varieties.
