Marchand Frères

History of Domaine Marchand Frères

The history of Domaine Marchand Frères begins in 1813 in Morey-Saint-Denis, where the Marchand family has been cultivating the vine for seven generations. For nearly a century and a half, the domaine remained firmly rooted in Morey, one of the most emblematic villages of the Côte de Nuits. In 1983, a major event transformed the identity of the house: the family acquired a magnificent 18th-century winegrower's residence at the very heart of Gevrey-Chambertin, which notably houses superb vaulted cellars and a 17th-century wine press. Gevrey-Chambertin then gradually became the new headquarters of the estate.

In 1999, Denis Marchand took over the management of the domaine, assisted by his brother Jean-Philippe. This new generation, born from the merger of two family estates (the Domaine Claude Marchand of Morey-Saint-Denis and the Domaine Jean-Philippe Marchand of Gevrey-Chambertin), consolidated the quality and identity of the house. Denis Marchand personally oversees the entire process, with particularly thorough work in the vineyard (green harvesting, manual leaf removal, hand-picking, rigorous sorting) and respectful winemaking in the cellar.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Marchand Frères

The vineyard of Domaine Marchand Frères extends over nearly 9 hectares, entirely located across three emblematic communes of the Côte de Nuits: Gevrey-Chambertin (notably including the lieux-dits En Songe and Aux Etelois, situated in the immediate vicinity of the Grand Crus Griotte-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin and Chapelle-Chambertin), Morey-Saint-Denis (Vieilles Vignes, the lieu-dit Le Très Girard for the white wine, and several Premier Cru parcels) and Chambolle-Musigny (with the celebrated Premier Cru Les Sentiers, situated not far from the Grand Cru Bonnes-Mares).

The soils are typically Burgundian: marl-limestone on the Grand Cru hillsides, crinoidal limestone on the privileged parcels, Ostrea marl and clay-limestone on the Premier Cru plots. This diversity of terroirs, combined with often old vines (notably the forty-year-old vines that make up the bulk of the Vieilles Vignes), gives the Pinot Noir — the domaine's flagship grape variety — great depth of expression and a precise aromatic signature. The Chardonnay, for its part, is planted on a single parcel in Morey, the lieu-dit Le Très Girard, one of the rare white wines of this appellation. Vineyard work is meticulous: green harvesting to limit yields, manual leaf removal for good aeration, and an entirely hand-picked harvest followed by rigorous sorting both in the vineyard and in the winery.

Winemaking at Domaine Marchand Frères

In the cellar, Denis Marchand applies a winemaking approach faithful to Burgundian traditions, with the utmost care given to each stage to respect the individuality of each climat. After sorting at the winery, the Pinot Noir grapes are vinified in vats with a cold pre-fermentation maceration, followed by alcoholic fermentation conducted with indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation then takes place in barrel. Punch-downs and pump-overs are carefully measured, in pursuit of fine extraction, to preserve the freshness and aromatic elegance characteristic of the house style.

Aging is conducted with great gentleness: the wines are aged in oak barrels without racking for 12 to 18 months, with a variable proportion of new wood depending on the appellation (measured for Village wines, more pronounced for Premier Crus and Grand Crus). This technique of aging on fine lees, without heavy-handed intervention, allows the wines to gain in harmony and complexity while preserving their vibrant fruit. For the Grand Crus, production remains extremely confidential (sometimes only a few dozen bottles), reflecting the artisanal and precious character of the house. Bottling then takes place with the utmost care, under the expert eye of Denis Marchand.

The Cuvées of Domaine Marchand Frères

The Bourgogne Rouge and the Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits are the domaine's entry-level wines. Indulgent and fresh Pinot Noirs, marked by vibrant fruit, fine tannins and an already recognizable house signature, they offer an excellent quality-to-price ratio for discovering the Marchand Frères style.

The Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes is a refined village-level expression. A floral and fruity Pinot Noir, marked by aromas of raspberry, rose and violet, with a tender, silky and delicate palate, in the grand, airy style of the appellation.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Etelois (sometimes written En Etelois) is a particularly prized village lieu-dit, situated in the immediate vicinity of the Grand Crus Griotte-Chambertin and Charmes-Chambertin. A Pinot Noir of great elegance, this wine for "locals" captivates with its intrinsic finesse and remarkable refinement.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvée Fanny is a single-parcel cuvée named after one of Denis Marchand's daughters. An indulgent Pinot Noir, marked by straightforward fruit and a balanced structure, offering an immediately accessible and pleasurable expression of the village.

The Gevrey-Chambertin En Songe is another village lieu-dit, whose poetic name evokes reverie. A full-bodied and fruity Pinot Noir, with notes of ripe cherry, gentle spices and a fine tannic structure characteristic of the appellation.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is a blend of the domaine's old vines from the village. A deep and complex wine, marked by aromas of dark fruit, undergrowth and noble spices, underpinned by a noble tannic backbone and excellent aging potential.

The Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes is the village-level expression of the domaine's historic birthplace. An aromatically rich Pinot Noir, sitting between the structure of Gevrey-Chambertin and the finesse of Chambolle-Musigny, with an extensive aromatic palette characteristic of the appellation.

The Morey-Saint-Denis Blanc Le Très Girard is the domaine's only white wine, a rarity within the appellation. A round, rich and fruity Chardonnay, displaying a beautiful, brilliant pale yellow colour, aromas of pear and grapefruit, and a roundness on the palate that makes it ideal as an aperitif.

The Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers is one of the domaine's flagship wines. A climat situated not far from the Grand Cru Bonnes-Mares, it displays great aromatic complexity on the nose (spices, ripe red fruit, blackcurrant bud), a deep and refined palate, and excellent aging potential.

The Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Combottes is a climat superbly nestled between the Grand Crus Latricières-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin and Mazoyères-Chambertin. A Pinot Noir of perfect balance between acidity, tannins and alcohol, complete and complex, with a violet-ruby colour and fruit that is both fresh and ripe.

The Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Clos des Ormes is one of the domaine's emblematic Premier Crus. An elegant and structured Pinot Noir, marked by aromas of dark fruit, spices and undergrowth, with a dense palate and a long finish.

The Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Faconnières is a recognised Premier Cru of the appellation, situated below the Grand Cru Clos de la Roche. A Pinot Noir of great breed, with a subtly aged colour, deep concentration and excellent aging potential.

The Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Genavrières is a more confidential cuvée, offering an elegant and finely textured Pinot Noir, with pure fruit and a delicate mineral backbone characteristic of the climat.

The Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes is a Premier Cru neighboring Les Faconnières, also situated below the Grand Cru Clos de la Roche. A deep and harmonious Pinot Noir, marked by great aromatic complexity and a noble tannic backbone.

The Cuvée Éline (Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru) is an original creation, named after Denis Marchand's second daughter. A blend of the Premier Cru parcels Millandes and Faconnières — neighboring plots that naturally complement one another — it is a cuvée of great finesse, complete and harmonious.

The Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru is one of the domaine's three Grand Crus, and one of the most seductive wines of Gevrey. A Pinot Noir with an ample red fruit nose, a full attack and a structured palate, marked by silky tannins, a certain roundness and excellent aging potential.

The Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru is one of the domaine's rarest and most precious cuvées, sometimes produced in only a few hundred bottles. A Pinot Noir with accents of dark fruit (blackcurrant), flowers and toasted notes, with a delicate texture underscored by a touch of vivacity, and a concentrated, powerful palate redolent of blackcurrant.

The Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is the benchmark wine of Morey, the most structured of the appellation's Grand Crus. Sourced from an ultra-confidential parcel, it delivers a dense, concentrated wine with a noble tannic structure, deep aromas of dark fruit, undergrowth and spices, phenomenal length and an almost infinite aging potential, faithful to the greatness of the Grand Crus of the Côte de Nuits.