Louis Latour Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras 2023 is a white Premier Cru from Beaune, originating from a high-altitude vineyard directly behind the city. The name Aux Cras refers to the rocky origin of this site, a former quarry with chalky walls and terraces. With fermentation and aging in French oak from Louis Latour's own cooperage, this wine acquires a rich, fresh, and precisely sculpted Burgundian style.
Beaune is located in the Côte de Beaune, the southern part of the Côte d'Or.
Location / Origin: Aux Cras is located on top of the slope behind the city of Beaune and holds the Beaune Premier Cru status, a quality designation for particularly esteemed vineyards within the appellation.
Name & Origin: What does Aux Cras mean? The name comes from C(a)racos, meaning rocky hill, and refers to the former quarry on this site.
Soil: The vineyard has clay and limestone, with notably rocky soils that ensure good drainage and a distinct mineral tension.
Vineyard & Harvest: The vines are on average 20 years old, the yield is around 40 hl/ha, and the grapes are harvested by hand.
Terraces: The vineyard consists of 3 terraces with limestone walls. The reflection of sunlight on these walls provides extra light and helps the grapes ripen early and evenly.
The wine undergoes a distinct Burgundian upbringing, with fermentation and aging in wood.
Fermentation: Fermentation traditionally takes place in oak barrels with complete malolactic conversion. This conversion softens the acids and gives the wine a rounder, creamier texture.
Aging / Oak Maturation: The wine ages for 8–10 months in French oak barrels from Louis Latour's own cooperage, 50% of which are new and medium-toasted. This adds extra breadth, subtle toast, vanilla, and almond-like notes, while maintaining the fresh structure.
Alcohol percentage: With 14% alcohol, this white Burgundy has enough power to support the oak aging while retaining its fresh Premier Cru tension.
This white Beaune Premier Cru is entirely supported by Burgundy's classic white grape.
Chardonnay – Beaune Premier Cru: Chardonnay gives this wine its full texture, ripe yellow fruit, fresh acidity, and ability to elegantly integrate oak aging.
4.1 stars, Vivino: A strong consumer score that shows this white Premier Cru is widely appreciated by lovers of Burgundian Chardonnay.
