Domaine Jérôme Chezeaux
A rock-solid source of pure, chiseled red Burgundy, Domaine Jérôme Chezeaux is undergoing a particularly exciting phase right now. While the wines have always been honest and delicious, the last few vintages show a new level of finesse and precision. The extremely understated and modest Jérôme, a former rugby union player, is joined full time by his daughter, Lyse. Having completed a series of international internships, her brightness, global experience and enthusiasm adds a modern, youthful personality to an already well established Domaine.
Established in 1930, when Julien Missery purchased land in Nuits-St-Georges, the holdings were expanded by Bernard Chezeaux in 1971, and in 1993 Jérôme took over. Jérôme studied at the Lycee Viticole de Beaune and did on the job training alongside his father.
The domaine extends over 11.3 hectares. All of the grapes are hand harvested, from the simple village wines to the Grand Cru. Jérôme employs a 3-4 day ‘maceration à froid’ or cold maceration prior to the alcoholic fermentation, which generally lasts two to three weeks in open top cement tanks. During this time, the must undergoes daily manual ‘pigeages’ and ‘remontages’ to extract colour, flavour and tannins from the grape skins.
After pressing in a gentle pneumatic press, the wine is transferred into oak barrels where it undergoes the malolactic fermentation in Chezeaux's underground cellar. One-third of the barrels are replaced each year, so the proportion of new wood in the wines is a maximum of 30%. The wines are aged 18 to 24 months in barrel before being bottled without filtration.
Wines Imported
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Jérôme’s Bourgogne Rouge comes from a smattering of parcels in Premeaux-Prissey and Nuits-Saint-Georges totalling 2.8 hectares. A wonderful example of both the house style and the classic character of Pinot Noir from the Côte d’Or and environs, it emphasises fresh, lively fruit, firm minerality and a dusty spice element. This is a sleek Bourgogne Rouge without oak influence, as Chezeaux employs no new barrels in its élevage.
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Grapes are selected from the oldest vines of Les Charbonnières; planted in 1920, 1930 and 1935, located just below premier cru Aux Corvées. Boasting true old-vines power, grown in soil composed of reddish brown layers of clayey loam and a limestone gravel bed with an eastern and southeastern exposure. Complex aromas of ripe cherry, blackcurrant, truffles and spice. It shows the power and concentration of the southern aspect in Nuits-St-Georges, but in the gentle hands of this Domaine. Cellar 10+ years.
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Chezeaux owns a half-hectare’s worth of villages-level Vosne-Romanée, spread among three lieux-dits: Aux Réas, Bossières, and Mezière. His deft, light touch allows the classic VosneRomanée spice and silk to shine through brilliantly.
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This fabled vineyard is situated at the northernmost juncture of Nuits-Saint-Georges as it touches Vosne-Romanée. The Chezeaux parcel is 0.34 hectares and is on an 18 degree east-facing slope at about 270 metres altitude. Because of its proximity to Vosne-Romanée this is the Nuits cuvée that tends to be the most tender, precious, and elegant.
'The Nuits Saint-Georges ‘Aux Boudots’ 1er Cru offers attractive dark berry fruit, sous-bois and iris petal scents on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, cohesive and silky-smooth, displaying a pastille-like purity on the finish. Just a lovely Nuits Saint-Georges, no more, no less.'- 90-92 Pts, Neal Martin,
