Domaine des Croix

History of Domaine des Croix

The story of Domaine des Croix is above all that of one man: David Croix. Originally from Montlouis-sur-Loire, he knew from the age of 16 that he wanted to make wine. After a vocational diploma in viticulture and oenology in Tours, he obtained a Master's degree in oenology from Dijon in 2001, then honed his winemaking skills alongside Benjamin Leroux at Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard.

It was while working as a winemaker at the Beaune house Camille Giroud that he revolutionised the house's style, reducing the ageing periods to obtain finer wines with more melted tannins. His reputation then began to extend well beyond the borders of Burgundy.

In 2004, a group of Americans travelling in the region came to taste the wines of Maison Giroud. Charmed by the man, his wines and his vision, and learning that an estate in Beaune, Domaine Duchet, was for sale, they proposed to David Croix that he purchase the estate and place it under his direction. He accepted, thus touching his dream. 

Officially founded in 2005, the estate grew progressively and David Croix was named Best Rising Talent 2008 by the prestigious magazine Bourgogne Aujourd'hui. Since then, his reputation has continued to grow among the most discerning enthusiasts and critics, from Allen Meadows to La Revue du Vin de France.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine des Croix

Domaine des Croix has a vineyard of 7.8 hectares planted primarily with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with an average vine age of nearly 50 years. This ancient plant heritage gives the wines unparalleled depth and aromatic complexity.

The appellations cover the Côte de Beaune, from Corton-Charlemagne in the north to Saint-Romain in the south. The estate expresses itself across terroirs of great diversity: fragmented limestone on the Grèves and Bressandes, outcropping limestone bedrock on the Pertuisots, clay and marl soils on the Beaune village plots. This mosaic of terroirs — clay-limestone, deep marls or outcropping rocks — gives birth to cuvées of distinct character, revealing all the richness of the Burgundian Climats.

Since 2008, no pesticides have been used in the vineyards, and soil management is conducted thoughtfully according to the vintage and the vigour of each vine. The team also carries out trials with cover crops and has been closely interested in biodynamics since 2019. This respectful approach to soil life guarantees an authentic and living expression of each terroir.

Winemaking at Domaine des Croix

David Croix's winemaking philosophy rests on a fundamental principle: letting the terroir and the vintage speak for themselves, without ever constraining or masking them. He works without dogma, with vinifications often involving partial whole clusters depending on the vintage, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and a measured use of sulphur, to allow all the aromatic finesse characteristic of Burgundy to express itself. 

Punch-downs and pump-overs are carried out based on daily tasting of the vats, pressing is gentle, and ageing takes place over a minimum of 12 months with a maximum of 5% new barrels for village wines. Bottling is carried out at the estate without fining or filtration. For Premiers and Grands Crus, ageing can involve up to 40% new barrels, always without fining or filtration. 

One of the estate's technical signatures is the intensive practice of pigeage, that ancient technique consisting of pushing the cap of grape skins down into the fermenting must. With Pinot Noir, it allows the wine to be "filled out", hence the remarkable velvety texture found across all the cuvées. The result? Wines of exceptional fruit purity, with melted and silky tannins, accessible from their youth yet endowed with fine ageing potential.

The Cuvées of Domaine des Croix

Domaine des Croix offers a complete range covering all levels of the Burgundian hierarchy, from generic Bourgogne to the Grand Crus of the prestigious Corton hill.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir: The ideal entry point to discover the estate's style. Supple, fruity and accessible from its earliest years, this red Bourgogne sincerely expresses the finesse of Burgundian Pinot Noir as crafted by David Croix. A wine of immediate pleasure, with crunchy fruit and delicately melted tannins.

Beaune Rouge: A blend from several plots in the Beaune village appellation, this wine combines freshness and elegance. The clay and marl soils of the Beaune plots yield a generous wine with an ample, fleshy palate — a faithful reflection of the Beaune terroir.

Saint-Romain Combe Bazin: A cuvée from the estate's most recently planted vines, located in the south of the Côte de Beaune, this white wine expresses all the minerality and freshness characteristic of the Saint-Romain appellation.

Aloxe-Corton Les Boutières: Sourced from a 0.6-hectare plot of 60-year-old vines, this wine presents a very spicy nose with a powdery touch on the finish, a true hallmark of this particular climat. A wine of character, dense and structured, requiring a few years of patience.

Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Peuillets: One of the estate's Premiers Crus, sourced from plots farmed using organic methods on the characteristic soils of Savigny. This wine stands out for its deep colour, violet hues, and concentrated matter with fine ageing potential.

Beaune 1er Cru Les Tuvilains: The estate's first recent acquisition, this plot offers a wine with delicate red fruit aromas and a precise palate, reflecting the finesse of Beaune's Premiers Crus.

Beaune 1er Cru Les Cent Vignes: An earlier-ripening terroir in the harvest hierarchy, this generous wine presents a very beautiful palate that gains in breadth as it opens up. Sourced from four old-vine plots, it combines structure and accessibility with great tannic finesse.

Beaune 1er Cru Les Pertuisots: A plot on outcropping limestone bedrock, giving birth to a wine of great minerality, taut and precise. A Premier Cru with fine ageing potential and a well-tempered character.

Beaune 1er Cru Les Bressandes: One of the estate's flagship cuvées. The Pinot Noirs from this Premier Cru stay true to their Beaune terroir and seduce with their accessibility and suppleness, never lacking depth or relief. A complete wine, combining freshness, aromatic depth and sumptuous texture.

Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves: Sourced from fragmented limestone soils, this wine presents an ample and dense palate with well-mastered concentration, offering an inviting balance between soft matter and fine acidity. The rich tannins lead into a precise and powerful finish. A Fine Wine from Beaune, worthy of the prestige of this celebrated Premier Cru.

Beaune 1er Cru Le Bas des Teurons: A cuvée of great elegance, this wine combines a fine and velvety texture with a long mineral finish. Already expressive from a young age thanks to its integrated tannic structure, it nonetheless possesses fine ageing potential.

Corton Les Grèves Grand Cru: The first of the estate's two Grand Crus on the Corton hill, this wine expresses all the power and depth one is entitled to expect from a Burgundian Grand Cru. It presents a pleasant acidity and freshness for a red wine, without compromising its constitution or its ability to age.

Corton La Vigne au Saint Grand Cru: The jewel in the crown. This Corton exhales beautiful red fruit aromas, notably black cherry, smoky and spicy notes enhanced by discreet woody touches. The palate reveals great complexity, with mentholated and floral aromas (violet), along with a beautiful texture, both supple and powerful. An exceptional wine for ageing, full-bodied, ripe and rich, presenting an extremely harmonious balance between acidity and maturity. 

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru: The estate's only white Grand Cru, sourced from Chardonnay on the Corton hill. This white wine of great distinction combines minerality, aromatic complexity and remarkable longevity, worthy of Burgundy's finest white Grand Crus.