Domaine Arlaud

Morey-Saint-Denis | Côte de Nuits | Burgundy

Domaine Arlaud Père et Fils is a reference point for natural Burgundy wines. The singular experience each organically raised cuvée offers is a revelation for even the most experienced palates.

For more than 20 years we’ve partnered with this domaine in Morey-Saint-Denis, witnessing each vintage the ever-greater clarity of expression the family has been able to achieve in each of their harmonious Burgundy wines. Today the family stands side-by-side with Burgundy’s most respected names, especially distinguishing itself with its dedication to organic viticulture.

The family began to cultivate their vineyards organically in 2004. In 2009, they were inspired to push further, establishing biodynamic viticultural practices across all their holdings. As of the 2014 vintage, the estate will hold both organic and biodynamic certification, the very first estate to do so in Morey-Saint-Denis.

FARMING & WINEMAKING

Preserving the health and character of their vineyards is of utmost importance to the Arlaud family. They have farmed organically for years; today they also follow biodynamic principles in caring for their vines and wines. Harvest is always by hand, and vineyard rows are plowed not by tractor but by horse.

Once harvested, grapes are sorted; depending on the vintage, bunches are either destemmed or left on the stem (but not crushed). Grapes ferment on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled cement tanks. Wines are aged in French oak barrel from 14 to 16 months, using on average 15 percent new barrels for villages wines; 20 percent for premier crus; and 30 percent for grand crus. Wines are bottled according to the lunar cycle, unfined and unfiltered.

WHITE WINES

Bourgogne Blanc Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Chardonnay

Delicate, refined, a pure expression of Burgundian Chardonnay from the higher-altitude vineyards of the Hautes-Côtes. The family tends just over a half-acre of vines, facing southeast, in the commune of Chevannes (west of Vosne-Romanée). Soils are predominantly limestone, with some clay.

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RED WINES

Bourgogne Rouge ‘Oka’

A selection of older-vine vineyards in Vosne-Romanée and from the higher-altitude perch of Hautes-Côtes vineyards in the Côte de Nuits (not estate-owned). “Oka” is both the name of and a tribute to the family’s plow horse, a trustworthy and essential member of the Arlaud biodynamic team.

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Bourgogne Rouge 'Roncevie'

‘Roncevie’ is surrounded by villages-level vines of Gevrey-Chambertin, and shares essentially identical exposition and soils. The estate founder, Joseph Arlaud (Cyprien’s grandfather), planted Pinot Noir vines here in 1964 and 1965. The 12-acre plot was at the time rated Gevrey villages; it was reclassified as Bourgogne Rouge a year later.

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Bourgogne Rouge Hautes-Côtes de Nuits (Cyprien Arlaud)

A bit more altitude, a touch cooler temperatures: the Hautes-Côtes vineyards are the new frontier for winemakers looking for a challenge. A lovely Pinot Noir from older vines in a silky, limpid and pure style.

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Gevrey-Chambertin

Sourced from two estate-owned parcels, ‘La Justice’ on the Brochon side and ‘Les Seuvrees’ on the Morey-Saint-Denis side, which sits across the road from grand cru Charmes-Chambertin. Vine age 40 years, on average.

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Chambolle-Musigny

Chambolle is often considered the most delicate and aromatic of Côte de Nuits wines. Four separate, estate-owned parcels on the Morey-Saint-Denis side of Chambolle: ‘Les Chardannes,’ ‘Les Herbues’ and ‘Les Gamaires,’ as well as ‘Les Bussières,’ which borders premier cru vineyards in Morey.

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Vosne-Romanée (Cyprien Arlaud)

A silky, refined selection of fruit from villages-level vineyard ‘Aux Communes,’ not far from premier cru ‘Clos des Reas.’ Soils combine limestone, clay and sand. (Vines are not estate-owned; Arlaud purchases fruit, but also farms the land under contract.)

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Vosne-Romanée 'Aux Réas' (Cyprien Arlaud)

A perfect plot on the Nuits-Saint-Georges side of Vosne, not far from Nuits’ premier cru row. Tension, beautiful fruit, an ideal balance of Nuits heft with Vosne silk.

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Morey-Saint-Denis

A gorgeous blend of fruit from the family’s home village, this villages-level Morey-Saint-Denis is all supple curves and smooth tannins, a picture-perfect example of the pose and power of Morey Pinot Noir.

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Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 'Les Blanchards'

‘Blanchards’ sits in the heart of Morey, in a small depression that used to be the route of an ancient river. Here rich soils and broken limestone combine for a wine with both freshness and depth, tons of red/black fruits and a suave intensity that last for days.

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Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 'Aux Cheseaux'

An ancient, rocky site that is home to the ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa. The vineyard sits on the northern border of Morey-Saint-Denis, touching grand cru Charmes-Chambertin. Soils here are particularly stony and rich in chalk. Vines planted in 1980.

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Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 'Millandes'

Located in the heart of the village, bordering the “Route des Grands Crus” and just below Clos de la Roche. A majority of vines planted between 1973 and 1976; a small portion planted in 1999. ‘Millandes’ often shows deeper Pinot flavors, suggesting chocolate and poached red fruits.

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Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 'Ruchots'

Located at the border with Chambolle-Musigny, and directly below grand cru vineyards Clos de Tart and Bonnes Mares. The name ‘Ruchots’ stems from the French “roche,” or rocks. Vines planted in 1955 and 1983. ‘Ruchots’ is the most structured of the Morey-Saint-Denis premier crus, suited for long cellar aging.

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Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru ‘Sentiers’

The family’s vines in this well-placed premier cru vineyard border grand cru Bonnes Mares (premier cru ‘Ruchots’ also touches on the Morey-Saint-Denis side). Vines planted in 1966.

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Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru ‘Les Noirots’

A deep, rich and potent Chambolle, sitting just east of grand cru Bonnes Mares, ‘Noirots’ comes at you with blackberry intensity and notes of licorice, almost Nuits-like; yet the finish is all Chambolle silk and suppleness. The parcel’s name reminds of “noyers,” walnut trees; it is possible the plot was once an orchard.

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Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru ‘Les Chatelots’

Neighbor to premier cru ‘Feusselottes,’ ‘Chatelots’ sits in a slight depression, facing southeast, and benefits from rich soils and many broken limestone pieces. It is often rosy with bright red berries, pomegranate and red currant, tangy and alive.

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Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 'Aux Combottes'

A well-placed premier cru, surrounded on three sides by grand crus: Clos de la Roche in Morey-Saint-Denis and Latricières and Mazoyères-Chambertin in Gevrey. The name ‘Combottes’ means “small valley.” Mostly planted in 1964 and 1999, with a small section of vines planted in 1925.

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Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru 'Les Petits Monts' (Cyprien Arlaud)

A Burgundian saying goes, “At the Petits Monts, you have the world at your feet!” Or more specifically, the noble vineyard of grand cru Richebourg. ‘Petits Monts’ couldn’t be better placed; high up on the slope, facing east, touching some of the most hallowed earth in Vosne — a premier cru that punches way above its station.

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Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

The family’s vines are split between the highest part of Mazoyères-Chambertin, along the “Route des Grands Crus” and touching Latricières, and the lower portion of Mazoyères. The oldest vines were planted in 1957; others in 1980, 1989 and 1992.

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Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

One acre of vines in the grand cru’s lieu-dit, ‘Les Mochamps,’ which borders the “Route des Grands Crus.” Nearly half the family’s vines were planted in 1978; the rest in 1990. This long-lived grand cru gets its name from the “mother rock” of Burgundy, pure limestone that runs underneath the most noble of Burgundy vineyards.

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Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru

One of the village’s most ancient sites, this “clos” or walled vineyard was founded in 1023. The family’s half-acre of vines was planted in 1970. Soils are unique, combining the traditional Burgundian limestone with a vein of iron oxide.

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Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

The family’s quarter-acres of vines feed from limestone and mostly red clay soils, with a portion on white clay soils. Vines planted in 1979. The vineyard draws its name from ancient sculptures that were found at the site, a trio of goddesses or “good fairies.”

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Established: 1949
Winemaker: Cyprien Arlaud
Region: France • Burgundy • Côte de Nuits • Morey-Saint-Denis
Vineyard size: 37 acres

CERTIFIED ORGANIC | CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC

Three NBI Selections Make Top 100 Wines of 2020

What a nice way to wind up a wild year! Jeb Dunnuck has named the wines of THREE of our grower partners to his Top 100 Wines of 2020 list.

2014 Arlaud Charmes-Chambertin: “Powerful, Dense”

The Wine Spectator lauds the Arlaud family’s efforts in 2014, highlighting their Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru: a wine to which they give a nearly 30 year aging window, given its concentration and complexity. A truly grand cru, indeed!

NEW ARRIVALS! 2014 Domaine Arlaud Red Burgundy

These are some of the more expressive and elegant Burgundies we’ve ever tasted from the family! Even notoriously hard-grader Stephen Tanzer gave the 2014s rave reviews, a nod to both a great vintage and the even greater talents behind these extraordinary bottles. This vintage is the perfect reason to start your own collection!

Stephen Tanzer Reviews 2014 Arlaud Red Burgundy

Stephen Tanzer says that “Two thousand fourteen is a delicious midweight vintage with alluring fruit, juicy supporting acidity, expressive terroir character, supple tannins and considerable early appeal. Best of all, the wines display an attractive natural balance and elegance, and should offer at least medium-term ageability. It’s a more consistent vintage in quality than 2013…”

Cyprien Arlaud is quietly going about making some very fine wines from his base in Morey-Saint-Denis…Personally, I have a lot of time for Arlaud’s wines. There is a subtle sense of modernity to them, with the fruit erring towards black rather than red, quite fleshy and voluminous in the mouth, and not subtle but eager to express themselves…there are some gems here.

—Neil Martin, The Wine Advocate