Domaine de la Vougeraie, based in Premeaux just south of Nuits St Georges, was created in 1999 when Jean-Claude Boisset of the Boisset group decided to group together all the vineyard holdings of his various negociant companies acquired over the years. The name comes from the significant holdings – and indeed Jean-Claude Boisset’s home – in the village of Vougeot. The winery is located however in the old Claudine Deschamps (Madame Jean-Claude Boisset) cellars in Prémeaux. The Domaine was put together from the various vineyard holdings which had accrued through the Boisset acquisitions of Burgundian houses over the years. Pascal Marchand was put in charge in 1999, with Bernard Zito in the vineyards, which were farmed biodynamically. Pascal produced powerful wines, fairly heavily extracted in his early vintages but clearly was subsequently moving to a softer approach by 2004.

With nearly 40 hectares of vineyard and over 30 different appellations, including six grand crus (Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Clos Vougeot, Charmes Chambertin, Mazoyères, Corton Clos du Roi, and Corton Charlemagne), this is one of Burgundy’s leading Domaines. As last year, this is a blend of four village sites – Fremières, Condemennes, Chardannes, and Argillières – with 25% from Premier Cru Baudes and Gruenchers, used for whole-bunch. It’s an open, flattering Chambolle, with a lifted, floral nose. It boasts supple tannins and an impressive weight of ultraripe red berry fruit on the mid-palate, with a cleansing limestone-accented finish.