Chevalier

History of Domaine Chevalier

The history of Domaine Chevalier Père et Fils begins in 1850, when Émile Dubois founded a small wine-growing estate in the hamlet of Buisson, in Ladoix-Serrigny. The estate was then taken over by his daughter and her husband, Émile Chevalier, who gave his name to the property. Over the generations, the Chevalier family enriched their viticultural heritage and progressively extended the estate across the finest slopes of the Corton hill. His son, Georges Chevalier, succeeded his father and continued to develop the estate with passion.

In 1975, Claude Chevalier joined the estate alongside his father. The estate then comprised 11 hectares. From 1994, Claude took charge of all winemaking and progressively made his mark. An emblematic figure in the Burgundian wine world, he developed exports and elevated the estate to among the finest signatures of the Côte de Beaune. In recent years, Claude Chevalier has handed over to his three daughters, who represent the fifth generation: Chloé takes charge of the technical side (vineyard and winemaking), Julie manages sales, export, and logistics, while Anaïs handles administration and welcoming visitors at the estate. This successful family transition ensures the continuity of a refined and precise style, acclaimed by enthusiasts the world over.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Chevalier

The Domaine Chevalier vineyard extends over 14 hectares, entirely planted on prestigious terroirs of the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. The majority of the plots are located around Ladoix-Serrigny, at the foot of the Corton hill, which shares with Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses the famous Grands Crus Corton and Corton-Charlemagne. The estate notably holds plots in the Grands Crus Corton Le Rognet and Corton Les Grandes Lolières, as well as in the Corton-Charlemagne. In addition, there are several Premiers Crus in Ladoix (Les Corvées, Le Clou d'Orge, Les Gréchons in white) and in Aloxe-Corton (Les Valozières), village cuvées (Ladoix, Aloxe-Corton), and a plot in the Côte de Nuits with a Gevrey-Chambertin cuvée.

The grape varieties reflect the diversity of the appellations, with 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay (to which is added a small plot of Aligoté). The soils, typically Burgundian, are marl-limestone on the Grand Cru slopes, clay-limestone on the Premiers Crus and village plots, with specific nuances for each climat. The south-east exposure of the commune of Ladoix offers ideal conditions of sunlight and ripening. The vines are managed using demanding sustainable viticulture, allowing precise control of yields and ripeness. Harvesting is done by hand, a guarantee of rigorous sorting and optimal quality of the grapes entering the winery.

Winemaking at Domaine Chevalier

In the cellar, under the technical direction of Chloé Chevalier, Domaine Chevalier Père et Fils applies winemaking methods faithful to Burgundian traditions. The grapes are vinified in temperature-controlled vats for the reds, with a maceration period of generally 10 days, with measured punch-downs and pump-overs for a refined extraction. The objective is to produce wines full of substance and fruit, faithfully reflecting the singularity of each terroir. After vatting, pressing is carried out in successive stages, with tasting at each stage to decide on incorporation into the final wine.

Aging then takes place in oak barrels for a period of 10 to 12 months on fine lees, allowing the wines to gain in harmony, complexity, and aging potential. Since 2008, in order to preserve the terroir character and fruitiness of the wines, only the cuvées intended for long aging benefit from a proportion of new barrels (50% for the Grands Crus, 33% for certain Premiers Crus, 15 to 25% for the others). Older barrels (1 to 4 wines) are used for the more accessible cuvées. For the whites, fermentation takes place in barrels after a 24-hour settling and cooling, with an aging of 11 months. The wines are then blended in vats and bottled at the estate at the beginning of the year according to the lunar calendar, without fining or filtration (with a few exceptions).

The cuvées of Domaine Chevalier

The Bourgogne Aligoté is the estate's traditional entry-level white wine. A fresh and thirst-quenching wine, marked by aromas of citrus, green apple, and white flowers, with a lively palate and a saline finish, ideal as an aperitif or with seafood.

The Bourgogne Blanc is a regional Chardonnay crafted from plots located around Ladoix. A precise and balanced wine, marked by aromas of white flowers, citrus, and white fruits, with a taut finish that serves as an excellent introduction to the house style.

The Ladoix Blanc is a village-level Chardonnay of great elegance. A discreet yet profound wine, marked by aromas of white flowers, yellow fruits, and almond, supported by a fine mineral backbone and a persistent finish characteristic of the great whites from the Corton hill.

The Ladoix 1er Cru Les Gréchons is an emblematic white Premier Cru of Ladoix. A taut and complex Chardonnay, marked by aromas of toasted hazelnut, honey, yellow fruits, and flint, supported by an incisive mineral backbone and excellent aging potential.

The Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is the pinnacle white wine of the estate. A lightly oaked but restrained Chardonnay, endowed with excellent body and a firmness of constitution drawn from the great terroir, broader on the palate than long on the finish, with savory notes and great aromatic complexity. Vinified in barrels (50% new) for 11 months, in the great tradition of the most prestigious Chardonnays of Burgundy.

The Bourgogne Rouge is the estate's entry-level red wine. A generous and fruity Pinot Noir, marked by aromas of cherry and raspberry, with a supple palate and fine tannins, perfect for everyday cooking.

The Côte de Nuits-Villages is a distinctive Pinot Noir from the far south of the Côte de Nuits. A structured wine, marked by aromas of black fruits, spices, and undergrowth, with a solid tannic framework and good aging potential.

The Ladoix Rouge Village is a representative cuvée of the appellation, crafted from the blending of several village plots. A well-structured Pinot Noir, with a fragrant bouquet that develops great complexity with age, and solid aging potential in the cellar.

The Ladoix 1er Cru Les Corvées is one of the emblematic Premiers Crus of the estate. A well-structured and deep Pinot Noir, marked by aromas of ripe black fruits, gentle spices, and undergrowth, supported by a noble tannic framework and a persistent finish.

The Ladoix 1er Cru Le Clou d'Orge is another Premier Cru of the appellation. A Pinot Noir of great class, marked by remarkable aromatic finesse and a delicate mineral backbone, perfectly reflecting Chloé Chevalier's expertise on the terroirs of Ladoix.

The Aloxe-Corton Village is a fleshy and deep Pinot Noir, sourced from plots at the foot of the Corton hill. A balanced wine, marked by vibrant red fruit, notes of gentle spices, and a silky tannic framework, in the great tradition of this renowned appellation.

The Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Les Valozières is an emblematic Premier Cru of the estate. A Pinot Noir of great class, marked by dense substance, complex aromas of black fruits, leather, and spices, supported by a noble tannic framework and excellent aging potential.

The Gevrey-Chambertin is the estate's foray into the Côte de Nuits. A powerful and complex village Pinot Noir, marked by deep aromas of black fruits, liquorice, and noble spices, supported by a structured tannic framework characteristic of the queen appellation of the reds of the Côte de Nuits.

The Corton Le Rognet Grand Cru is one of the two emblematic Grand Cru cuvées of the estate. From the Rognet et Corton plot in Ladoix-Serrigny, this Pinot Noir displays a deep plum color, a nose characterized by notes of black fruits (blackcurrant, blueberry), and a full, generous palate. Aged 12 months in barrels (50% new), it offers great elegance and characteristic red fruit aromas, acclaimed by all the leading guides.

The Corton Les Grandes Lolières Grand Cru is the other red Grand Cru of the estate, located in Ladoix slightly below Le Rognet et Corton. Favored south-facing exposure, vinification in temperature-controlled vats for 10 days, aging in barrels (33% new) for 12 months. A Pinot Noir of great nobility, marked by dense substance, fine tannins, and remarkable aromatic persistence, built for very long cellaring.