Catherine et Claude Maréchal

History of Domaine Catherine et Claude Maréchal

The adventure began in 1981. Claude Maréchal, son of a cereal farmer from Bligny-lès-Beaune, had nourished a deep-seated passion for vines and wine since childhood. After initial training in electronics, he chose the land and leased his first parcels, about four to five hectares, in different villages of the Côte de Beaune. The beginnings were modest and demanding: France was barely emerging from the economic repercussions of the oil crisis, and establishing oneself as an independent winemaker was as much a challenge as a calling.

From these early years, Claude embarked on an initiatory journey that would definitively forge his philosophy. He forged lasting bonds of friendship with some of the greatest names in French winemaking: Henri Jayer, the absolute legend of Burgundy, but also Auguste Clape (Cornas), Thierry Allemand and Jacques Reynaud of Château Rayas. These summit meetings allowed him to perfect his vision of viticulture and winemaking, by assimilating the best practices to better reinterpret them in his own way.

In 1984, the estate took shape with the purchase of the first parcels in Ladoix and Savigny-lès-Beaune. Catherine joined the estate full-time in 1998, after a career change, bringing her rigor and organizational sense to a rapidly expanding operation. Together, they grew the vineyard to 12.5 hectares, with a range that now covers eleven distinct appellations, all located in the Côte de Beaune. Recognized today as one of the very best estates in the Côte d'Or for the exceptional quality-price ratio of its cuvées, Domaine Maréchal remains an example of artisanal integrity in a wine world sometimes tempted by standardization.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Catherine et Claude Maréchal

The vineyard extends over six emblematic communes of the Côte de Beaune: Bligny-lès-Beaune, Ladoix, Chorey-lès-Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Auxey-Duresses, Pommard and Volnay. This mosaic of terroirs is one of the great strengths of the estate: it allows for a complete range, from generic Bourgogne to the most renowned village appellations, including a prestigious Premier Cru.

The grape varieties cultivated are those that have made Burgundy famous. Pinot Noir dominates the vineyard (over 10 hectares), followed by Chardonnay and Aligoté. The vines, averaging around thirty years old, with some parcels qualifying as old vines, express themselves on soils of great diversity: clay-limestone rich in gravel at Bligny-lès-Beaune and Chorey, bluish calcareous marls at Auxey-Duresses, clay-limestone loaded with iron at Pommard, or fresher and more mineral substrates at Savigny-lès-Beaune.

Respect for the terroir is at the heart of every decision made in the vineyards. For over twenty years, the estate has abandoned chemical fertilizers and herbicides. The soils are worked mechanically to preserve their biological life and natural structure. Pruning is practiced severely to limit yields and concentrate the expression of the fruit. The vineyard management is conducted in a deeply organic spirit, without seeking certification as an end in itself: the objective is simply to produce the healthiest and most balanced grapes possible, at high maturity, but never overripe.

The harvest is entirely manual, with meticulous selective sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery, in order to retain only perfectly ripe and perfectly healthy grapes.

Vinifications at Domaine Catherine et Claude Maréchal

Claude Maréchal's winemaking philosophy can be summed up in a few simple but demanding words: natural, precision and respect for the fruit. Everything is done to ensure that each cuvée is above all a faithful reflection of its appellation and terroir, without seeking to impose an artificial technological or stylistic imprint.

For red wines, the harvest is entirely destemmed, which produces silkier tannins and a more direct and purer fruit expression. Maceration lasts between ten and fifteen days, with regular punch-downs to gently extract color, aromas and tannic structure. Fermentations are conducted with indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes. The use of sulfur is deliberately limited at each stage. Bottling is done without filtration, thus preserving all the substance and aging potential of each wine.

Aging in Burgundy oak barrels lasts from 12 to 18 months depending on the cuvées. The proportion of new oak is deliberately kept low, around 15 to 20%, so that the oak intervenes only in filigree, bringing just a touch of complexity and length without masking the expression of the terroir. The result is a recognizable signature: wines with deliciously perfumed fruit, silky texture, juicy and gourmet palate, carried by tannins of rare finesse.

For white wines, aging in tank or barrel is conducted over twelve months, with the same requirement of oak discretion and preservation of the natural freshness of Chardonnay and Aligoté.

The Cuvées of Domaine Catherine et Claude Maréchal

Ladoix "Les Chaillots" (Red)

Ladoix is one of the most confidential appellations of the Côte de Beaune, and this unique parcel, bordering the famous Bois Roussot climat, former property of the Prince de Mérode. The nose is complex, slightly spicy, with distinctive floral notes. The palate offers depth, drive and a captivating aromatic development, carried by admirable structural elegance.

Chorey-lès-Beaune (Red)

From three blended parcels representing nearly two hectares of old vines, this Chorey-lès-Beaune cuvée is one of the finest ambassadors of the estate. The nose is intense, elegant, with cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant notes, and a very discreet oaky background. The palate is full, juicy, with remarkably supple tannins and a long, persistent finish. 

Savigny-lès-Beaune (Red)

The estate's Savigny village offers more freshness and aromatic clarity, with beautiful fruit depth and a slight herbal complexity in support. The palate is straight, mineral, animated by a beautiful vivacity that makes it a wine of immediate pleasure as much as good aging potential.

Savigny-lès-Beaune Vieilles Vignes (Red)

Blend of several parcels, some located in Premier Cru zones (Liards, Planchots, Pimentières, Peuillets…), for a total surface approaching two hectares. This cuvée rises a notch in intensity and complexity: a fuller floral bouquet, more drive and freshness, a less supple but more taut texture, built for speed rather than comfort, with a weight of concentrated flavors in the finish. 

Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières (Red)

The estate's Premier Cru, a refined and structured cuvée that combines the natural freshness of Savigny with a depth of substance and elegance specific to great terroirs. Les Lavières, one of the most esteemed Premiers Crus of the appellation, produces a wine for aging, structured but without hardness, which requires a few years in the cellar to reveal its full dimension.

Auxey-Duresses (Red)

Produced on bluish calcareous marls typical of the village, this red wine embodies the typicity of the appellation with marked aromatic intensity, red fruit notes and a supple and silky structure. The 15-day maceration and 18-month aging in Burgundy barrels give this wine beautiful depth and length.

Auxey-Duresses (White)

A white Auxey with a taut and mineral profile, representative of the great whites of the Côte de Beaune. The mosaic of terroirs (marly anticline, clayey piedmont) that composes this wine gives it a typicity very representative of the appellation: red fruit intensity on a delicate background, elegance, roundness and smoothness. Aged with a modest proportion of new oak (15 to 20%), it combines complexity and freshness.

Volnay (Red)

From the Grand Poissots climat on the edge of Les Brouillards, this Volnay offers the floral and silky attack that is the signature of the appellation, on a background of dark and elegant red fruit. Mineral, full of energy, with a long and precise finish.

Pommard "La Chanière" (Red)

The most structured and serious cuvée of the estate. Produced on clay-limestone soils rich in iron, with concentrated texture and ultra-ripe but never aggressive tannins, this Pommard delivers a complex nose with notes of violet, morello cherry and black fruits, then a dense, persistent and perfectly balanced palate. A finish of savory depth invites patience; a few years of aging will allow it to express its full majesty.