Louis Boillot

History of Domaine Louis Boillot

The history of the Boillot family begins in the small village of Volnay, where several generations distinguished themselves through the production of great wines appreciated 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, grew increasingly passionate about the craft and supported him across the 16 appellations covered by the estate, spanning both the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. The brothers then took different paths: Pierre remained at the family estate in Gevrey, while Louis decided in 2002–2003 to forge his own way by founding Domaine Louis Boillot.

With his wife Ghislaine Barthod, herself heir to a long winemaking tradition in Chambolle-Musigny, Louis settled at 4 rue du Lavoir in Chambolle-Musigny, one of Burgundy's most renowned villages. Together they built a deep, cool cellar where they can vinify side by side the wines of their two estates, run in complete independence yet nourished by daily mutual inspiration. Louis takes charge of the viticulture for both properties (recognised as a "vigne whisperer" and a meticulous pruner), while the winemaking remains separate. In 2019, their son Clément joined the estate 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 Louis Boillot as one of the finest small estates 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 côtes, the fruit of four generations of meticulous acquisitions. In the Côte de Nuits, the estate cultivates several plots in Gevrey-Chambertin: the Village (an assemblage of eight plots, all planted with vines of at least 60 years), the lieu-dit Les Évocelles (a steeply sloping vineyard at the top of the hill, on the north-eastern boundary of Gevrey, with stony clay-limestone soils), and two emblematic Premiers Crus (Champonnet and Cherbaudes, the latter from vines over 90 years old and frequently of Grand Cru quality). In Chambolle-Musigny, the estate 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, heir to the family's Volnay origins, the estate cultivates equally prestigious plots: Volnay (Grands Poisots Village, vines of 55+ years) and three Premiers Crus (Les Angles, Les Brouillards from old vines, Les Caillerets), Pommard with two emblematic Premiers Crus (the robust Les Fremiers and the monumental Les Croix Noires), and Beaune (Les Épenotes). The estate's only white wine is the exceptional Meursault Blagny 1er Cru. Added to this is 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 extreme care, treatments drastically reduced, harvesting done by hand, in a sustainable farming approach.

Winemaking at Domaine Louis Boillot

In the deep, cool cellar of Chambolle-Musigny, Louis and Clément Boillot apply a classical, meticulous and minimally interventionist winemaking approach, faithful to the philosophy inherited from Lucien Boillot: take your time. For the reds, after manual harvesting and rigorous sorting, the Pinot Noir grapes are entirely destemmed before a cold pre-fermentation maceration of 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 ageing lasts 12 to 18 months depending on the cuvée, with sparing use of new wood (up to a maximum of 20% for the most structured cuvées). Bottling takes place without fining or filtration, so that the identity of the terroir can express itself fully. Clément Boillot has brought his own methods, marked by an increased quest for 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 true to their terroir, with 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 estate's only white wine, sourced from this rare Premier Cru climat located on the border of Meursault and Puligny. A thoroughbred Chardonnay, marked by great minerality and remarkable aromatic elegance, in the pure tradition of the great whites of the Côte de Beaune.

The Bourgogne Pinot Noir is the estate's entry-level wine. 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 estate, 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 fruit 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 perfumed bouquet that sometimes recalls certain wines from Morey-Saint-Denis, in a style often more floral than typical Gevrey. A wine of increasing power and substance, while retaining the finesse characteristic of the estate.

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

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

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

The Chambolle-Musigny Village is largely sourced from the lieu-dit Beaux Bruns (of which a portion is only eligible 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, layered and fleshy palate, and a long, penetrating finish.

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

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

The Beaune Les Épenotes is a village-level red Beaune cuvée. 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 located on the Pommard side, sourced from old vines of at least 60 years planted on clay soil with some rocks. A soft, concentrated bouquet with notes of black cherry, wild strawberry and gentle spice, a fleshy texture with structured, fresh tannins, and a slightly full-bodied, 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 perfumed 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 Volnay's most prestigious Premiers Crus. A Pinot Noir of great breed, endowed with a superb fruity nose (red cherry, raspberry, cherry compote), a concentrated, fruity, silky palate underpinned by a fine tannic structure. A wine for ageing.

The Pommard 1er Cru Les Fremiers is a robust Premier Cru located on the border with Volnay (adjoining Volnay's Frémiets). A blue-tinged, brilliant garnet Pinot Noir, with an almost black robe, marked by ripe dark fruits and spiced notes, a lively and powerful palate (blackberries, blueberries), with fine but still very lively tannins. A quintessential wine for ageing.

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