Nicolas Rossignol

History of Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Nicolas Rossignol, born in 1974 in Volnay, represents the fifth generation of winemakers on the terroirs of the appellation. From a family deeply rooted in the Burgundian winemaking tradition, he has been vinifying since 1994 at Domaine Rossignol-Jeanniard, following a comprehensive technical training at the viticultural school in Beaune. Eager to master other cultivation and ageing techniques, Nicolas then accumulated enriching experiences at prestigious estates: Joseph Voillot in Volnay, Louis Latour in the Ardèche, Vieux Télégraphe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Boschendal in South Africa, and finally Château La Cardonne in Bordeaux (managed by Lafite Rothschild).

Building on these experiences, Nicolas Rossignol established his own estate in 1997 with a surface area of 3 hectares, spread across the villages of Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses. From 1998, the combined surface area of Domaine Rossignol-Jeanniard and Domaine Nicolas Rossignol reached 16 hectares. In 2005, Nicolas acquired an additional 2.5 hectares across new appellations (Savigny-lès-Beaune 1ers Crus Fourneaux and Lavières, Beaune 1er Cru Clos du Roy) from the celebrated Domaine Robert Ampeau in Meursault. In 2011, the two estates merged under the single label Domaine Nicolas Rossignol. In 2014, an additional 1.5 hectares in Pommard and Pommard 1er Cru further completed the range. In 2016, a modern and sustainable winery was built in Beaune, enabling the character of each plot to be expressed with complete transparency.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

The vineyard of Domaine Nicolas Rossignol covers nearly 20 hectares spread across nearly 30 different appellations, all located in the Côte de Beaune. The heart of the estate lies in Volnay (eight wines including seven Premier Crus: Frémiets, Clos des Angles, Santenots, Ronceret, Chevret, Cailleret, Taillepieds) and in Pommard (nine wines including six Premier Crus: Argillières, Épenots, Chanlins, Chaponnières, Fremiers, Jarolières). The estate also cultivates Beaune (three Premier Crus: Reversées, Clos du Roy, Clos des Mouches), Savigny-lès-Beaune (village + 1ers Crus Fourneaux and Lavières), Pernand-Vergelesses (village + 1er Cru Fichots) and Aloxe-Corton.

The soils are typical of the Côte de Beaune, clay-limestone with numerous nuances specific to each climat: very calcareous white soils at Taillepieds, red soils rich in iron oxide at Pommard, a mix of grey-brown clay and chalk at Chevret, stony soils at Cailleret. The entire estate practises reasoned viticulture in harmony with lunar influences, using traditional viticultural techniques inspired by biodynamics. Chemical herbicides are banned and ploughing is favoured. The vines, a large proportion of which are old (certain plots from 60 to 115 years), are harvested exclusively by hand with meticulous sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery.

Vinifications at Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

At the modern winery in Beaune, built in 2016 with a sustainable development ethos, Nicolas Rossignol applies a precise and personalised vinification for each plot. Rather than blending his small plots under a generic Premier Cru label, he prefers to vinify and bottle each climat separately: this is how 28 different wines are born. "By making many different wines, you learn more, and you learn more quickly", he explains. Fermentations are carried out with a variable proportion of whole clusters depending on the wine, the vintage and the health conditions of the harvest (sometimes 100%, sometimes 0%), used as a useful tool to reveal the freshness of the wine.

The macerations are long and precise, with controlled temperatures. Ageing takes place in oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, with a measured proportion of new wood that supports the substance without masking the expression of each terroir. This "haute couture" and perfectly mastered approach produces charming wines endowed with supple and elegant tannins, structured, fruity, deep and long on the palate. The wines of Domaine Nicolas Rossignol combine heritage and modernity, blending Burgundian traditions and biodynamic principles with meticulous work in the cellar. They are distinguished by their clarity, their balance and their strong sense of place.

The Wines of Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

The Bourgogne Pinot Noir is the entry-level wine of the estate. A gourmand and fresh wine, marked by vibrant red fruit, fine tannins and a balanced finish, perfect for discovering the house style.

The Bourgogne Rouge Cuvée l'Héritière is a single-plot wine with a family spirit. A precise Pinot Noir, endowed with a silky texture and pure fruit, which constitutes an excellent alternative to generic Bourgognes.

The Aloxe-Corton is a full-bodied and expressive village wine, marked by aromas of ripe red fruits and a solid tannic structure, in the tradition of the appellation at the foot of the Corton hill.

The Pernand-Vergelesses is an elegant and fresh village Pinot Noir, endowed with pure fruit and a fine mineral backbone characteristic of the appellation.

The Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Fichots is a distinguished Premier Cru, marked by dense substance, aromas of red and black fruits, and a persistent finish.

The Savigny-lès-Beaune is a supple and fruity village Pinot Noir, ideal for discovering the appellation in its aromatic purity.

The Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Fourneaux comes from a plot acquired in 2005 from Domaine Robert Ampeau. A structured and deep Premier Cru, marked by vibrant red fruit and a fine mineral backbone.

The Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières is another Premier Cru of the appellation, endowed with a full palate and a balanced finish characteristic of the climat.

The Beaune 1er Cru Reversées is a Premier Cru of Beaune, elegant and approachable, marked by gourmand red fruit and melted tannins.

The Beaune 1er Cru Clos du Roy comes from a plot acquired in 2005 from Domaine Robert Ampeau. A noble and structured Pinot Noir, marked by aromas of black fruits and spices.

The Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches is one of the greatest Premier Crus of Beaune. A deep wine, endowed with dense substance, complex aromas and a great capacity for ageing.

The Pommard Village is a classic of the estate, a full-bodied and powerful wine, marked by aromas of black fruits, liquorice and spices, supported by a solid tannic structure.

The Pommard Les Noizons is a single-plot village wine situated to the north of the Pommard hill, facing Beaune, on deep red soil. A rich and full-bodied wine with ripe, well-balanced tannins.

The Pommard Les Vignots is another single-plot village wine, located at the foot of the Pommard hill. A rich and powerful wine, marked by wild black fruits and tannins typical of the terroir.

The Pommard 1er Cru Argillières is a Premier Cru of Pommard, marked by its depth, vibrant fruit and a delicate mineral backbone.

The Pommard 1er Cru Épenots is one of the absolute jewels of the estate. Produced from century-old vines (115 years), it develops exceptional aromatic freshness, deep and multidimensional substance, energetic concentration and charming tannins. A great fine wine from Pommard of rare finesse.

The Pommard 1er Cru Chanlins is a Premier Cru of Pommard situated on the higher slopes. A wine marked by its freshness and minerality, endowed with a fine tannic structure.

The Pommard 1er Cru Chaponnières is another Premier Cru of Pommard. A structured and complex wine, marked by aromas of black fruits and noble spices.

The Pommard 1er Cru Fremiers (sometimes Fremiets on the Pommard side) is a Premier Cru on the mid-slope between Pommard Rugiens and Volnay Frémiets. A wine of very aromatic fruitiness and silky structure, balanced between power and finesse.

The Pommard 1er Cru Jarolières is one of the most emblematic Premier Crus of the estate, situated on the border of Volnay. Vinified in certain years at 100% whole cluster, it offers a Pinot Noir with a broad and subtly complex nose, an ample and superbly structured palate.

The Volnay Village is a gourmand and refined wine, faithful to the dancing elegance of the queen appellation of feminine Pinots.

The Volnay 1er Cru Frémiets is a classic Premier Cru, vinified in certain years at 100% whole cluster, marked by its freshness, pure fruit and fine mineral backbone.

The Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Angles is a refined Premier Cru, marked by a silky palate, vibrant red fruit and an aromatic elegance characteristic of Volnay.

The Volnay 1er Cru Santenots is one of the flagship wines of the estate. Produced from three plots totalling 2.10 hectares, vinified in four separate batches for ageing. A deep wine, endowed with plenty of colour, notes of black fruits, coffee and oak, with superb volume and freshness on the palate. The most structured and powerful of the estate's Volnays.

The Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret is a Premier Cru of great finesse. Endowed with round and fresh fruit, a texture reminiscent of a bath of melted chocolate — pure and brilliant beauty.

The Volnay 1er Cru Chevret is situated at the heart of Volnay, next to the Clos de la Barre and below the Clos des Ducs. Produced from a blend of 65-year-old and 15-20-year-old vines, on clay-chalk soil with small white stones. Always a round, fruity and open wine, the most immediately accessible in the range.

The Volnay 1er Cru Cailleret is one of the most prestigious Premier Crus of Volnay. A wine of great elegance, marked by refined aromas of red fruits and flowers, supported by an incisive mineral backbone and a long, persistent finish.

The Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds is the highest-altitude Premier Cru of the estate, located next to the Clos des Chênes, at the beginning of the appellation. Produced from very old vines (60 to 70 years) on very calcareous and stony soil, with a full south-east exposure. Round, rich and generous attack, beautiful ripeness, natural minerality on the finish, very fine tannins, exceptional elegance and aromatic freshness. A wine built for long ageing.