Lucien Boillot

History of the Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils

The history of the Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils is deeply rooted in Volnay, in the Côte de Beaune, where the Boillot family has been cultivating vines since 1850, the date on which the first plots were acquired in this famous red wine village of Burgundy. For a century, several generations succeeded one another at the head of the family vineyard, perpetuating the winemaking tradition and the love of Pinot Noir, the unique grape variety of Volnay.

In 1950, Lucien Boillot, driven by a pure passion for Pinot Noir, decided to leave Volnay to settle in Gevrey-Chambertin, on the Côte de Nuits, considered the ultimate birthplace of the grape variety. He acquired exceptional plots there and founded the eponymous estate that bears his name today. A few decades later, his son Pierre Boillot took over the helm of the estate and brought it to prominence by dedicating himself to showcasing the inherited and acquired terroirs to the best of his ability. The estate now covers seven hectares, including 2.80 hectares in the Côte de Beaune from the family heritage and 4.30 hectares acquired in the Côte de Nuits. This dual presence, rare for a small estate, makes Lucien Boillot & Fils one of the rare bridges between the two emblematic slopes of Burgundy. 

Terroirs and Vines of the Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils

The vineyard of the Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils extends over seven hectares spread across sixteen different appellations, a parcel mosaic of rare diversity. The vines in the Côte de Beaune (2.80 inherited hectares) embrace Volnay, Pommard and Puligny-Montrachet, while those in the Côte de Nuits (4.30 acquired hectares) cover Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges. All the vines are estate-owned, a guarantee of consistency and long-term commitment.

The encépagement is 95% dominated by Pinot Noir, the absolute signature of the great red Burgundies, complemented by small areas of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. The average age of the vines is particularly high, exceeding 55 years, with certain plots such as the Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Pruliers being composed of very old vines of nearly 95 years. This age explains the depth and complexity of all the cuvées. The estate works with integrated pest management, with certain methods inspired by organic farming. The soils are systematically ploughed in order to avoid any chemical herbicides, to aerate them and to encourage microbial life. Treatments are used to the strict minimum, in a respectful approach to the vineyard ecosystem.

Vinification at the Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils

In the cellar, Pierre Boillot practises the least intrusive vinifications possible, faithful to a philosophy of humility before the terroir. Harvesting is entirely done by hand, followed by generally total destemming of the grapes (depending on the vintage). Fermentations take place on indigenous yeasts naturally present on the berries, without the addition of any oenological inputs, with deliberately limited extraction in order to preserve the finesse and delicacy of the Pinot Noir.

Ageing takes place in oak barrels for 16 to 18 months depending on the year, with approximately 30% new barrels, a measured proportion that supports the wine without masking its terroir identity. This classical yet rigorous approach allows the wines to gain in aromatic complexity while preserving the expression of the terroir. The result is reflected in authentic, precise cuvées that are both elegant and delicate, perfectly embodying the house's signature: balance between fruit, tannins, alcohol and acidity, in a classical style built for ageing. A very fine signature that is unfortunately little known in France, as the majority of the production is destined for export.

The cuvées of the Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils

Bourgogne (red): an entry-level regional cuvée, this Pinot Noir perfectly illustrates the house style, with an expressive nose of red fruits, a supple, balanced and refreshing palate.

Puligny-Montrachet: the estate's sole significant white wine cuvée, this village Chardonnay from Puligny-Montrachet, in the Côte de Beaune, seduces with its mineral and floral nose, its taut, round and harmonious palate, the classic signature of the appellation that reigns supreme among the great white Burgundies.

Gevrey-Chambertin (village): a village cuvée produced at the heart of the village that welcomed Lucien Boillot in 1950. The wine is distinguished by a seductive and fruity nose of cherry, red fruits and bramble, a dense and complex palate, supported by velvety tannins and a beautiful length. An authentic expression of Gevrey-Chambertin.

Gevrey-Chambertin Les Evocelles: a single-plot cuvée from the climat Les Evocelles, located in the commune of Brochon on the northern border of Gevrey-Chambertin. The wine offers dense aromas between fruits and gentle spices, a powerful yet balanced palate. A Gevrey-Chambertin village that can unashamedly claim the ageing potential of a Premier Cru.

Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Corbeaux: A Premier Cru emanating from one of the most renowned climats of Gevrey-Chambertin. The wine makes no secret of its character and its uprightness: a bold Pinot Noir whose crunchy fruit reveals the power of the terroir. A structured palate, firm tannins and a long finish, the perfect companion for meat dishes in sauce.

Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cherbaudes: another Premier Cru from the estate in Gevrey, located between Les Gemeaux (close to the Grand Cru Chapelle-Chambertin) and the 1er Cru Clos Prieur. The wine unfolds a dense substance, a complex nose of black fruits, spices and undergrowth, with a noble tannic structure and a fine capacity for ageing.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers: An emblematic Premier Cru of the estate, sourced from the oldest vines of the climat (approximately 95 years old). Often more difficult to taste from barrel than the other cuvées, this wine nevertheless opens up fairly quickly in the bottle. A deep robe, an intense nose of black fruits, cherry and spices, a powerful and structured palate, a long finish, built for ageing.

Pommard 1er Cru Les Croix Noires: An emblematic Premier Cru of Pommard, this wine is distinguished by its structure, its aromatic depth of black fruits, spices and undergrowth, supported by firm tannins and a persistent finish. A great signature of the estate in the Côte de Beaune.

Pommard 1er Cru Les Frémiers: another Premier Cru in Pommard, more airy and refined. The wine unfolds an expressive nose of black cherry and gentle spices, a dense yet silky palate, velvety tannins and a beautiful finesse.

Volnay 1er Cru Les Angles: An emblematic Premier Cru of Volnay, this wine embodies all the aristocratic elegance of the appellation. A brilliant ruby robe, a delicate nose of small red fruits and violet, a silky and refined palate, in the airy and delicate style characteristic of Volnay.

Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets: another great Premier Cru of Volnay from the estate. The wine is distinguished by its very beautiful substance, its textbook finesse, its remarkable balance and its finish that gains in amplitude. A fine Volnay built for ageing, to be kept in the cellar for a few years.