Louis Boillot

History of Domaine Louis Boillot

The story of the Boillot family begins in the small village of Volnay, where several generations distinguished themselves through the production of great wines cherished by enthusiasts. In 1950, Lucien Boillot showed great ambition by leaving Volnay to settle in Gevrey-Chambertin, founding Domaine Lucien Boillot & Fils. His two sons, Pierre and Louis, developed a growing passion for the craft and supported him across the 16 appellations covered by the domaine, spanning both the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. The brothers subsequently went their separate ways: Pierre remained at the family domaine in Gevrey, while Louis decided in 2002–2003 to forge his own path by founding Domaine Louis Boillot.

With his wife Ghislaine Barthod, herself the heir to a long winemaking tradition in Chambolle-Musigny, Louis settled at 4 rue du Lavoir in Chambolle-Musigny, one of the most renowned villages in Burgundy. Together they built a deep, cold cellar where they could vinify their two domaines' wines side by side, managed in complete independence but nurtured by daily mutual inspiration. Louis oversees the viticulture of both estates (recognised as a "vigne whisperer" and a meticulous pruner), while winemaking remains separate. In 2019, their son Clément joined the domaine and gradually took over the reins, simultaneously launching a Beaujolais venture with 4 hectares in Moulin-à-Vent and Fleurie. This ambitious project has won over international critics, who hail Domaine Louis Boillot as one of the finest small domaines on the Côte d'Or.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Louis Boillot

The vineyard of Domaine Louis Boillot spans the finest terroirs of both Burgundian slopes, the fruit of four generations of meticulous acquisitions. In the Côte de Nuits, the domaine cultivates several plots in Gevrey-Chambertin: the Village (an assemblage of eight plots, all planted with vines at least 60 years old), the lieu-dit Les Évocelles (a steeply sloped vineyard at the top of the hill, on the north-eastern boundary of Gevrey, with stony clay-limestone soils), and two emblematic Premier Crus (Champonnet and Cherbaudes, the latter sourced from vines over 90 years old, frequently of Grand Cru quality). In Chambolle-Musigny, the domaine owns old vines in Beaux Bruns (both Village and Premier Cru), shared with Ghislaine Barthod. In Nuits-Saint-Georges, the 1er Cru Les Pruliers is sourced from vines of 90+ years.

In the Côte de Beaune, as an inheritance from the family's Volnay origins, the domaine cultivates equally prestigious plots: Volnay (Grands Poisots Village, vines of 55+ years) and three Premier Crus (Les Angles, Les Brouillards from old vines, Les Caillerets), Pommard with two emblematic Premier Crus (the robust Les Fremiers and the monumental Les Croix Noires), and Beaune (Les Épenotes). The domaine's sole white wine is the exceptional Meursault Blagny 1er Cru. To this is now added Clément's Beaujolais project: 11 plots in Moulin-à-Vent (vines of 70 to 80 years on decomposed granite, pink and blue stones) and Fleurie. The vines are tended with the utmost care, treatments drastically reduced, harvesting done by hand, in a sustainable farming approach.

Winemaking at Domaine Louis Boillot

In the deep, cold cellar of Chambolle-Musigny, Louis and Clément Boillot apply a classical, meticulous and low-interventionist winemaking approach, faithful to the philosophy inherited from Lucien Boillot: taking one's time. For the reds, after manual harvesting and rigorous sorting, the Pinot Noir grapes are fully destemmed before a cold pre-fermentation maceration lasting several days. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in vats with measured pump-overs and punch-downs, over a period of approximately three weeks. The wines are then transferred to barrels where malolactic fermentation takes place.

Oak barrel ageing lasts 12 to 18 months depending on the cuvée, with a sparing use of new wood (up to a maximum of 20% for the most structured cuvées). Bottling takes place without fining or filtration, so as to allow the terroir's identity to express itself fully. Clément Boillot has brought his own methods, characterised by an increased pursuit of purity and transparency, expressed as much in the "old school" Pinots as in the "new school" Gamays of Beaujolais. This approach yields wines of great breed, deep and faithful to their terroir, with a remarkable ageing potential, acclaimed by Wine Advocate, Burghound and the world's leading importers.

The Cuvées of Domaine Louis Boillot

The Meursault 1er Cru Blagny is the domaine's sole white wine, sourced from this rare Premier Cru climat situated on the boundary of Meursault and Puligny. A thoroughbred Chardonnay, marked by a great minerality and a remarkable aromatic elegance, in the pure tradition of the great whites of the Côte de Beaune.

The Bourgogne Pinot Noir is the entry-level wine of the domaine. A generous and precise wine, marked by vibrant fruit and an elegant structure, faithful to the house style.

The Bourgogne Mousseux is an original cuvée from the domaine, crafted from Pinot Noir using the traditional method. Fine and elegant bubbles, vibrant fruit, in a festive and refined style.

The Côte de Nuits-Villages is a characterful regional Pinot Noir cuvée, marked by aromas of dark fruits and a fine mineral backbone.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Village is an assemblage of eight plots, all planted with vines of at least 60 years. A Pinot Noir endowed with a fragrant bouquet that sometimes recalls certain wines from Morey-Saint-Denis, in a style often more floral than is typical of Gevrey. A wine that builds in power and substance while retaining the characteristic finesse of the domaine.

The Gevrey-Chambertin Les Évocelles is an emblematic single-plot cuvée. Sourced from a 39-are parcel of vines over 50 years old, situated at the top of the hill on the north-eastern boundary of Gevrey, neighbouring the Premier Crus Les Goulots, Les Champeaux and Combe aux Moines. Stony clay-limestone soils, 16 months of barrel ageing, a tannic and structured wine that requires cellaring.

The Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Champonnet proves that this little-known climat ranks among the finest Premier Crus of Gevrey. A powerful and complex wine, marked by aromas of dark fruits, spice and undergrowth, supported by a noble tannic structure.

The Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes is one of the flagship wines of the domaine, sourced from vines over 90 years old. Frequently of Grand Cru quality, this Pinot Noir develops a dense texture, complex aromas and a remarkable ageing potential.

The Chambolle-Musigny Village is sourced largely from the lieu-dit Beaux Bruns (of which a portion is eligible only as a village appellation), complemented by Derrière la Four. A Pinot Noir with aromas of raspberry, spice, dark chocolate and potpourri, with a medium to full palate that is layered and fleshy, with a long and penetrating finish.

The Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Beaux Bruns comes from the Premier Cru portion of a shared purchase with Ghislaine Barthod. Louis Boillot produces a remarkable cuvée that preserves the soft texture of this climat as well as beautiful chalky notes, with smoky hints of peat, blood, acidic dark fruits and robust spices.

The Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers is a deep Premier Cru sourced from nearly century-old vines (90+ years). Aromas of candied red fruits, light and airy with notes of peony, a very elegant and lingering palate, as if the vines were returning through the wine what they drew from deep within the soil.

The Beaune Les Épenotes is a red village-level cuvée from Beaune. A balanced and fruity Pinot Noir, marked by notes of cherry and raspberry, faithful to the house style.

The Volnay Grands Poisots is a village-level cuvée situated on the Pommard side, sourced from old vines of at least 60 years planted on clay soil with some rocks. A soft and concentrated bouquet with notes of black cherry, wild strawberry and gentle spices, a fleshy texture with firm and fresh tannins, a slightly full-bodied and spiced finish. A Pinot Noir of great character.

The Volnay 1er Cru Les Angles is a supple and refined Premier Cru. A Pinot Noir with generous fruit, a fine structure and a fragrant finish, faithful to the dancing elegance of Volnay.

The Volnay 1er Cru Les Brouillards is sourced from old vines. An intense and deep Pinot Noir, marked by a dense texture and complex aromas.

The Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets is one of the most prestigious Premier Crus of Volnay. A Pinot Noir of great breed, endowed with a superb fruity nose (red cherry, raspberry, cherry compote), a concentrated, fruity, silky palate supported by a fine tannic structure. A wine for ageing.

The Pommard 1er Cru Les Fremiers is a robust Premier Cru situated on the boundary of Volnay (bordering Volnay's Frémiets). A bluish garnet and brilliant Pinot Noir, with an almost black colour, marked by ripe dark fruits and spiced notes, with a lively and powerful palate (blackberries, blueberries), and fine but still very vivid tannins. A quintessential wine for ageing.

The Pommard 1er Cru Les Croix Noires is the domaine's other Pommard flagship, considered a monumental Premier Cru. A Pinot Noir of great breed, marked by a dense texture, noble tannins and a remarkable ageing potential.