Jean Chauvenet

History of Domaine Jean Chauvenet

The history of Domaine Jean Chauvenet begins in 1964, when Jean Chauvenet founded his own estate in Nuits-Saint-Georges, building on a long family winemaking tradition. He took over the land passed down to him by his father and patiently began assembling an exceptional set of plots, focused on the finest climats of Nuits-Saint-Georges. For more than forty years, Jean Chauvenet devoted all his energy to expanding the domaine and to bottling his Premiers Crus.

In 1994, his daughter Christine and her husband Christophe Drag took over the family estate upon Jean's retirement. Christophe Drag, relatively new to the world of wine when he arrived, brought a modern and energetic touch to this family domaine. Under his direction of winemaking, the domaine experienced a steady rise in quality, particularly from the 2009 vintage onwards, until it became one of the benchmarks of the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation. Today, nearly ten hectares of vines are cultivated by the fourth generation of winegrowers. Vintage after vintage, the domaine seeks to convey the purest expression of its vineyard terroirs, in a style that is at once elegant, refined and faithful to the Nuits-Saint-Georges tradition.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Jean Chauvenet

The vineyard of Domaine Jean Chauvenet covers 9.5 hectares, of which nearly 7 hectares are concentrated solely within the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation, making the domaine a recognized specialist of this great Burgundian cru. The village-level plots (approximately 2.5 hectares) are spread across the northern part of Nuits-Saint-Georges, on the Vosne side, over four climats: Aux Allots, Aux Saints-Jacques, La Petite Charmotte and Aux Saints-Juliens. The soils, predominantly silty, sandy and gravelly, contribute the wine's characteristic complexity.

The domaine also holds seven prestigious Premiers Crus: Aux Argillas, Les Bousselots, Les Damodes (on the Vosne-Romanée side), Rue de Chaux, Les Perrières, Les Vaucrains and Aux Six Pièces. An exceptional plot of 2.5 hectares planted with 70-year-old vines allows the production of the Vieilles Vignes cuvée. The average age of the vines at the domaine is 45 to 55 years, a guarantee of depth and concentration. All vines are farmed organically, with certification currently being obtained, as part of a deeply environmentally conscious and respectful approach.

Winemaking at Domaine Jean Chauvenet

In the cellar, Christophe Drag practices a traditional, precise and demanding winemaking approach. Harvesting is entirely by hand. The berries are 100% destemmed, then placed in stainless steel tanks for a cold pre-fermentation maceration (10 to 12°C) lasting 5 to 6 days, a technique that encourages the extraction of the finest aromas. Fermentation then takes place over approximately twenty days, at temperatures maintained between 28 and 32°C, with two daily punch-downs to encourage controlled extraction of color and phenolic compounds.

After pressing, the wines are statically settled in a buffer tank for 2 to 3 days, then placed in barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging. The proportion of new oak is carefully measured, around 15%, in order to support the wine without masking its terroir identity. Aging lasts 18 months, after which the wines are blended in tank for two weeks before bottling, without fining or filtration. This traditional yet precise approach gives birth to authentic Nuits-Saint-Georges wines, praised by critics for their balance, their solid but not harsh tannic structure, their complex aromatic palette and their excellent aging potential (15 years and more for the finest cuvées).

The Cuvées of Domaine Jean Chauvenet

Bourgogne Rouge: an entry-level regional cuvée, this Pinot Noir perfectly illustrates the house style, with an expressive nose of fresh red fruits, a supple, balanced and refreshing palate. An excellent value for money to discover the style of the domaine.

Nuits-Saint-Georges (village): an emblematic village-level cuvée of the domaine, this Nuits-Saint-Georges is sourced from the blending of four plots situated in the northern part of the appellation (Aux Allots, Aux Saints-Jacques, La Petite Charmotte, Aux Saints-Juliens). A substantial production (approximately 13,500 to 17,000 bottles depending on the vintage), with a solid tannic structure, a notable aromatic complexity of cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant and almond, a smooth, balanced and long palate. A remarkable ambassador of its appellation.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes: the flagship cuvée of the domaine, sourced from 2.5 hectares of 70-year-old old vines. A production of approximately 13,000 to 15,000 bottles depending on the vintage. The wine is distinguished by a discreet yet elegant aromatic profile evoking black fruits and tobacco, well-placed and velvety tannins, a generous roundness and a long finish. A highly recommended ambassador of the appellation.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Argillas: A renowned Premier Cru from the northern part of the appellation, this wine stands out for its polished, silky texture, its ripe cherry fruit and its long, spiced finish. Admirable precision and purity.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Bousselots: A Premier Cru situated in the northern part of the appellation, this wine offers notes of small red fruits and undergrowth, a fresh attack on the palate, more substantial through the mid-palate and supported by a hint of tannic firmness on the finish.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes: The northernmost Premier Cru, situated on the Vosne-Romanée side, renowned for producing fine and elegant wines. This cuvée, true to its terroir, seduces with its lovely nose of red fruits enhanced by well-integrated oak, its balance, its tannic finesse and its freshness. Supple and round on the palate, without heavy tannins, supported by a fine acidity.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Rue de Chaux: An emblematic Premier Cru of the appellation, this wine is appreciated for its fruity and spiced aromas, its crunchy, fleshy and fresh palate, built on fine and distinguished tannins.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Perrières: A classic Premier Cru of the domaine, situated on a steeply sloping limestone soil. It generally produces wines that are more refined than massive, but the house style tends to draw out a restrained power. Deep garnet color, nose of crushed black fruits, morello cherry and gentle spices, dense, fleshy and indulgent palate, broad finish well supported by firm tannins built for aging.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Six Pièces: A rare and confidential Premier Cru from the domaine. This cuvée displays a vibrant fruitiness, a juicy texture and a silky tannic frame, faithful to the elegant and refined style of the house.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains: the pinnacle of the domaine, this Premier Cru ranks among the finest terroirs of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The wine stands out for its riper and more intense fruit than the other cuvées, a silky and refined texture, a deep concentration, a remarkable finesse and an exceptional length. Combining richness and elegance, precise tannins and broad fruitiness, it is a complete wine, built for long aging, and the most accomplished expression of the domaine's style.