It is strange that the Côte de Nuit’s most recognised town, Nuits St Georges, does not possess a Grand Cru vineyard. Nuits St Georges is Burgundy’s equivalent to St Julien in Bordeaux, with an abundance of 1er Cru vineyards, some of whom could argue a very strong case too be upgraded to Grand Cru.
Domaine Michelot, under the direction of father Alain, daughter Elodie and son-in-law Christophe, encompasses 9 different brilliantly positioned vineyards within the appellations surrounding the town. Whilst the family support en primeur campaigns, they also hold back stock and only release it with a degree of maturity to show off the delights of great, aged Pinot Noir.
Founded in 1880, this well-established estate has 8 ha of vines covering 15 appellations, including Grand Cru Clos Vougeot, Morey St Denis and 9 of the finest vineyards in Nuits St Georges, where the family winery and cellars are situated. They follow traditional wine making techniques, focusing on destalking the fruit to give classic Pinot precision and purity. 1-5 year-old casks allow the true characteristics of each individual vineyard to express itself. Elodie comments that their cellars are colder than most, allowing a longer, slower vinification.
The Michelots are one of the Côte d’Or’s warmest and most welcoming families and we were delighted to introduce their estate during our 2015 en primeur campaign. We also purchased a selection of older wines; the very successful 2014s, which will benefit from a little further ageing, and some stunning 2008s, which are most certainly entering their prime.
The 3 vineyards we have selected for this offer all lie to the north of the town heading towards the neighbouring village of Vosne Romanée. They are all fine examples of Nuits’ understated class and boldness of fruit, with a hint of Vosne charm. We are delighted to welcome Domaine Michelot as one of the latest additions to our great selection of Domaine Burgundies and cannot recommend them more highly.
2008 Nuits St George 1er Cru Aux Chaignots Alain Michelot
£370.00 per 12 bottles IB / £475.18 per 12 inc VAT BUY THIS WINE
Les Chaignots or “The oak trees” sits to the north of the town of Nuits St Georges heading towards Vosne Romanée. The vines are planted on red soil and produce wines with both volume and freshness. Almost 10 years old, this is entering its peak of drinking, balancing flavours of red cherry fruits and gamey undertones. The tannins are beautifully mature and provide a feeling of substance, giving real longevity and structure on the finish. Lovely and ready for immediate drinking. Drink 2017 – 2026. David Roberts MW
2008 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Aux Champs Perdrix Alain Michelot
£380.00 per 12 bottles IB / £487.18 per 12 inc VAT BUY THIS WINE
£390.00 per 6 magnums IB / £499.18 per 6 inc VAT BUY THIS WINE
Nothing to do with partridges, this is the field of rocky slopes. From one of the appellations highest vineyards above Chaignots, this superb 2008 highlights the vineyard’s sense of minerality and freshness of fruit. Very striking aromas of wild berries, this is a wine which balances a natural feeling of ripeness, with a great mineral bite and tightly knit structure. Whilst bold in the mid palate, there is a huge degree of elegance and finesse on the finish. A very lovely cuvée. Drink 2017 – 2024. David Roberts MW
2014 Nuits St George 1er Cru Aux Chaignots Alain Michelot
£395.00 per 12 bottles IB BUY THIS WINE
£410.00 per 6 magnums IB BUY THIS WINE
A real star in the making. Although still very youthful, there is an abundance of bright fresh damson and autumnal berry fruits. In the palate, flavours balance a strength of volume with a harmonious roundness. I have tasted this wine on several occasions and it never disappoints. Great length with deliciously sweet fruit on the finish. Drink 2020 – 2030. David Roberts MW
2014 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru la Richemone Alain Michelot
£395.00 per 12 bottles IB BUY THIS WINE
A very small 1er Cru close to Vosne Romanée, this tends to be an earlier aging cuvée reflecting a very true expression of Pinot Noir and the purity of its flavours. Wild red fruit aromas, this is a wine all about balance and harmony. A very sensual style, which evolves in the palate with soft rounded tannins, showing a real degree of class and complexity. A lovely cuvée. Drink 2019 – 2030. David Roberts MW