Confuron Gindre

History of Domaine Confuron-Gindre

The name Confuron is intimately linked to the viticultural history of Vosne-Romanée. The family has now been working the vines and ageing its wine at the heart of the Côte de Nuits for six generations. The common ancestor to the various Confuron branches in the region — including Confuron-Cotetidot in Vosne-Romanée, Jean-Jacques Confuron in Premeaux-Prissey and Christian Confuron in Vougeot — is none other than Édouard Jayer, great-great-grandfather of the estate's current heir.

The estate is run by Claudine, née Gindre, and François Confuron, whose union gave the domaine its name. For a long time, the house remained under the radar of international enthusiasts: almost the entire production was sold to private customers in France and exports remained discreet. Everything changed from 2014 onwards, when their son Édouard joined his parents and became the sixth generation to oversee the vinifications. The generational transition unfolded as a pragmatic collaboration, with each bringing their own vision. Édouard gradually lightened the house's traditional style: less new oak, less sulphur during vinification and more whole-cluster fermentation. Nothing revolutionary, but decisive adjustments applied to already impeccable grapes, which have made the wines far more open, charming and precise over the course of recent vintages. The critics took note, and the estate is now regarded as one of the rising names of Vosne-Romanée.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Confuron-Gindre

The estate extends over approximately eleven hectares, situated at the heart of the clay-limestone terroirs of Burgundy's grand crus, spread across three renowned villages: Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevrey-Chambertin. Its distinctive feature lies in its extraordinary fragmentation, with a total of 66 separate plots. This mosaic, long assembled into appellation-level cuvées, today offers a remarkable playground for single-plot vinification.

This is precisely the path chosen by Édouard Confuron, who began separating the Vosne-Romanée plots as early as 2017 with Les Hautes Maizières, then in 2019 with La Colombière. Where the estate once offered only a single Vosne-Romanée village wine, it now produces three, each revealing a different facet of the village. The pinot noir vines range from 30 to 70 years of age, with certain plots still containing century-old vines planted in 1919 and 1920. Vineyard management relies above all on natural prophylactic methods aimed at preventing disease, such as ploughing and trimming, with a constant concern for passing on a sustainable working tool to future generations. The soils are often shallow, with the parent rock sometimes rising to within just twenty centimetres of the surface, which promotes millerandage and yields small, highly concentrated berries.

Vinifications of Domaine Confuron-Gindre

Harvesting is done by hand. The grapes macerate and ferment in vats, with a proportion of whole clusters that varies according to the cuvée — up to 40% for the single-plot cuvées overseen by Édouard Confuron, while his father prefers not to exceed 25% for the rest of the range. After pressing, the wine is transferred into partly new barrels. The family sources from several coopers and selects different toast levels, which lends greater complexity to the wine during ageing.

Ageing lasts approximately eighteen months across the entire range, with the proportion of new oak modulated according to the appellation — from zero for the regional wines up to 50% for the Echézeaux. Malolactic fermentation takes place very slowly owing to the particularly cool cellar, which contributes to the balance and final freshness of the wines. Bottling is carried out at the estate, with careful attention to temperatures and the lunar calendar. The house upholds a commitment to constant questioning in order to improve on the techniques handed down by previous generations, in a spirit of evolution that preserves traditional know-how. The result is dense and suave wines of fine substance, whose magnificent terroirs also lend a taut mineral character that is particularly legible across the three Vosne-Romanée village cuvées.

The Cuvées of Domaine Confuron-Gindre

Bourgogne Aligoté: the classic Burgundian white grape handled with seriousness, from plots in the Côte de Nuits. Lively and crystalline, it displays lemon, green apple and fine salinity, with a straight and very thirst-quenching palate. Perfect as an aperitif or with shellfish.

Bourgogne Chardonnay: a rarity in an estate almost entirely dedicated to pinot noir, this white wine plays on freshness and precision. Citrus, white flowers and a hint of almond compose a clean, supple and easy-drinking whole, ideal with fish or a cream-based poultry dish.

Coteaux Bourguignons: the most accessible cuvée in the range, all fruit and indulgence. Crunchy and light, it is drunk with immediate pleasure, slightly chilled, alongside charcuterie or an everyday dish.

Bourgogne: this regional pinot noir benefits from the same rigorous vineyard work as the crus. Crisp red fruits dominate, carried by fine tannins and vibrant acidity, with the vinification precision that is the house's hallmark. An excellent value for discovering the estate's style.

Vosne-Romanée: the emblematic village cuvée, produced at around 8,500 bottles. The colour is deep, the nose blends red and black fruits tinged with spices, with a well-integrated oakiness that fades after a few years in the cellar. The palate is suave, dense and complex, with fine substance, before a slightly mentholated finish that leaves an impression of freshness. A lovely Vosne, praised by the Guide Hachette des Vins.

Vosne-Romanée « Les Hautes Maizières »: the first single-plot cuvée created by Édouard Confuron, from the 2017 vintage. This lieu-dit situated just below Les Suchots is rarely bottled separately — only five or six growers offer it as a distinct cuvée. Higher on the slope, with a noticeably stonier soil, it offers greater concentration and a more expressive character. A true bridge between a village appellation and a premier cru.

Vosne-Romanée « La Colombière »: the second single-plot cuvée, born in 2019. Located in the very centre of the village, this plot once served as a garden for the inhabitants of Vosne-Romanée. The surrounding houses shelter it from the north wind and it enjoys slightly more sunshine than the others. The resulting wine is more delicate and more tender than Les Hautes Maizières, all aromatic finesse and silky texture.

Nuits-Saint-Georges: the village cuvée from this great name of the Côte de Nuits brings a firmer, more full-bodied register to the range. Dark fruits, spices and notes of leather compose a structured wine with solid yet well-rounded tannins, endowed with fine ageing potential.

Gevrey-Chambertin: sourced from the estate's most northerly village, this pinot noir is deep and savoury, with dark fruits, undergrowth and spices. The substance is dense, the structure serious, and the wine gains considerably from a few years of patience.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru « Les Chaumes »: situated above Clos des Réas and just below Les Malconsorts, this climat owes its name to the fact that these lands remained fallow for a long time before being planted. It is one of the estate's oldest plots, planted in 1919 and 1920, where century-old vines survive and are replaced one by one. The soil is shallow, with bedrock sometimes rising to within twenty centimetres of the surface, yielding very fine and very concentrated wines thanks to significant millerandage. Ageing lasts eighteen months with 40% new barrels. A cuvée that is often a victim of its own success.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru « Les Brûlées »: a fascinating climat to work with, situated in the Combe Brûlée, a small enclosed valley. The plot covers only 11 ares and 70 centiares, with vines over fifty years old. The microclimate alternates between the heat generated by the reflection of the hillside stones and the coolness of the valley. The wine is highly expressive both on the nose and the palate, with a dominant minerality, abundant aromas of candied red fruits — notably morello cherry — and hints of peppery spice.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru « Les Beaumonts »: a tiny plot of 5 ares and 92 centiares, planted in 1994. Facing due east along the slope, just above the Echézeaux plots and situated mid-slope, it receives strong light that promotes photosynthesis and very fine ripeness. The wine is rich and powerful while retaining fine longevity. It pairs particularly well with game and wild meats.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru « Les Suchots »: added to the range from the 2019 vintage, this prestigious climat neighbouring the grand crus ranks among the most sought-after in the appellation. It produces a pinot noir of great aromatic complexity, blending red fruits, soft spices and floral notes, with a silky texture and a remarkable length.

Echézeaux Grand Cru: the estate's flagship wine, from a plot of 30 ares and 17 centiares. The vines are between 50 and 90 years old, yielding many small berries and a highly prized millerandage that gives the wine fine concentration and lovely tannins. The soil is shallow but ensures good filtration. Approximately 50% new barrels are used for this cuvée: its power pairs very well with new oak, which adds a toasty quality. This grand cru expresses considerable power while remaining elegant, and opens beautifully after a few years of ageing.