Pierre Damoy

History of Domaine Pierre Damoy

The history of Domaine Pierre Damoy has its roots in the nineteenth century, when Julien Damoy, Pierre's ancestor, assembled the viticultural heritage in Gevrey-Chambertin. Over successive generations, the Damoy family succeeded in bringing together an exceptional set of plots, with a remarkable concentration on the finest climats of the commune, most notably the Chambertin Clos de Bèze, of which the family became the largest individual owner.

In 1992, Pierre Damoy, representing the fifth generation, took over the family estate. Aware of the greatness of the terroirs entrusted to him, he quickly proved equal to this exceptional heritage, both in his work in the vineyard and in the precision of his winemaking. Pierre Damoy enjoys recalling his Catalan roots, inherited from his grandfather, which he evokes with a knowing wit to explain his taste for wines endowed with heart and powerful substance. Since he took over, the estate has gained considerably in finesse and precision, becoming one of the most respected and sought-after addresses in Gevrey-Chambertin, present on the finest starred restaurant wine lists around the world.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine Pierre Damoy

The vineyard of Domaine Pierre Damoy extends over approximately 10.5 hectares, of which nearly three quarters are classified as Grand Cru — an absolutely unique configuration in Burgundy. The jewel of the estate is unquestionably the Chambertin Clos de Bèze, of which Pierre Damoy owns more than 5 hectares as sole proprietor, representing approximately one third of the appellation. To this are added a plot of approximately one hectare in Chambertin and nearly half of the Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru, as well as the small de facto monopole of Clos Tamisot in Gevrey-Chambertin village.

The viticultural heritage is distinguished by the advanced age of its vines, with a remarkable presence of Pinot Fin — a selection of Pinot Noir renowned for its depth and texture — some plots of which date back to the 1920s. The Chapelle-Chambertin is home to a particularly emblematic very old vine. The estate also cultivates several introductory cuvées across Marsannay, Fixin, Chambolle-Musigny and regional Bourgogne. For many years, Pierre Damoy has worked with sustainable viticulture, without fertilisers, with plot-by-plot and even vine-by-vine monitoring, in the greatest respect for the terroir and the winegrowing ecosystem.

Winemaking at Domaine Pierre Damoy

In the cellar, Pierre Damoy practises a classical and demanding winemaking approach, faithful to the traditions of Gevrey-Chambertin. Harvests are deliberately late, in order to achieve optimal phenolic ripeness. The berries are rigorously sorted, then undergo a particularly long cuvaison that promotes deep extraction, true to the structured style of the house. The use of whole-cluster fermentation varies according to the vintage, ranging from fully intact clusters to complete destemming, or intermediate solutions depending on the desired aromatic profile.

Ageing continues for 18 months in oak barrels, with a high proportion of new wood — a hallmark of the estate's classic and powerful style. In recent years, Pierre Damoy has refined his pressing technique, now lighter and longer, which lends the wines greater suppleness at bottling and makes them more approachable in their youth. Sulphur is used sparingly during ageing. For the Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Pierre Damoy carries out rigorous selections enabling the production of two distinct cuvées, including a rare Cuvée Vieilles Vignes (or Réserve) sourced from the oldest centenary plots.

The Cuvées of Domaine Pierre Damoy

Bourgogne Pinot Noir Les Ravry: the estate's entry-level offering, this red Bourgogne sourced from a blend of several plots, notably on the Fixin side, delivers a surprisingly ambitious profile. Deep colour, nose of dark fruits, concentrated, saline and energetic palate. A stature equivalent to that of a fine village wine.

Bourgogne Blanc: a more discreet Chardonnay cuvée, crafted to complete the estate's range. Vinified in the house style, it offers a generous texture, aromas of white flowers and yellow-fleshed fruits, and a beautiful, taut minerality.

Marsannay Les Longeroies: a village Pinot Noir sourced from the climat Les Longeroies in Marsannay, at the northern tip of the Côte de Nuits. The wine unfolds aromas of fresh cherry, spices and flowers, on a structured and refined palate sustained by a finely chiselled freshness.

Fixin Les Mogottes: a négociant cuvée crafted by Pierre Damoy from a leased plot in Fixin, planted in terraces on soil with exceptional drainage. The wine stands out for its deep colour, floral and profound nose, silky and concentrated palate with energy, and a long, structured finish.

Chambolle-Musigny: a village wine from Chambolle, this wine embodies the aristocratic finesse that is characteristic of the appellation. Floral and fruity nose, elegant palate, melted tannins and delicate length.

Gevrey-Chambertin: a harmonious blend of four small village plots (Aux Ételois, Aux Corvées, Champ-Chenys and La Croix des Champs), totalling 34 ares. The wine stands out for its density, its nose of dark fruits and toast, its full palate framed by silky tannins, and its spiced finish. An archetypal Gevrey-Chambertin, crafted to the level of a Premier Cru.

Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Tamisot: a de facto monopole cuvée, sourced from the climat Le Tamisot, in direct proximity to the Grands Crus. This muscular and lively wine reveals a profound texture, a firm structure, an earthy sap and a great capacity for ageing. Often compared to a Premier Cru, it receives the same attention as its prestigious neighbours.

Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru: a Fine Wine sourced in part from one of the estate's most emblematic very old vines, this Chapelle-Chambertin offers a more supple and tender style than the Chambertin. Powerful and energetic profile, strongly marked by dark fruits, notes of liquorice, great aromatic generosity and a long, persistent finish.

Chambertin Grand Cru: from his plot of approximately one hectare, Pierre Damoy crafts a deep and substantial Chambertin, offering a very precise definition of the cru. Mineral, spiced, slightly wild flavours, dense texture and a finish of impressive persistence.

Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru: the absolute jewel of the estate, this Chambertin Clos de Bèze is sourced from the largest single-ownership surface in the appellation. Deep colour, refined elegance, floral and fruity notes (cherry, dark fruits, raspberry), spiced touches, freshness evoking freshly turned earth. The palate deploys a masterful amplitude, sustained by magnificent tannins — the signature of Burgundy's greatest red wines.

Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes (Cuvée Réserve): an exceptionally rare selection from the oldest centenary vines of the Clos de Bèze, planted in the 1920s. This cuvée is produced only in the finest vintages and in very small quantities (sometimes just one to three barrels). A wine of almost brutal depth, intensely concentrated, the supreme signature of the estate, compared by some importers to the greatest cuvées of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.