Last of the wonderful Domaine Philippe Cheron 2016 and 2015 Burgundies

In the late 1930's, Paul Misset, Philippe Cheron's grandfather, acquired parcels of vines in the Vougeot and Nuits Saint Georges communes. Not being a wine-grower, he entrusted their management to tenant wine growers in Vosne-Romanée. Starting with these original parcels, Paul Misset's grandchildren, two generations later, have built up a wine domaine which today covers 5 hectares, spread over the Nuits Saint Georges, Vosne Romanée, Chambolle Musigny and Clos de Vougeot appellations.

The domaine's winery and cellars are located in the historical centre of Nuits Saint Georges. The vaulted 19th century cellars allow the wines to be aged in perfect conditions and the modern, efficient winery has recently been totally refurbished.

After working as technical director at Domaine Jean-Claude Belland in Santenay, Philippe Cheron took over the family estate in 2011. A trained engineer, he studied at the wine university in Suze la Rousse before gaining important experience making wine in the Rhône valley and then Burgundy. To round off this experience, he also took an agricultural training course at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune.

Whilst the domaine is small the vineyard holdings are quite lovely with appellations in Gevrey, Vosne and Chambolle as well as the Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot. 

Domaine Phlipe Cheron is not on the critics radar yet. That will change.

I can tell you that at our dinner last Tuesday the wines were exceptional. Both the 2015's and 2016's were superb - all with intensity and magnificent texture from the old vines. The 2015's were a particular joy as they showed none of the heat of the vintage. As much as I love 2016's I have to say the 2015's here are knockouts!

Darren Harris: 

Cheron's vines lie mid slope towards Echezeaux in the climat Baudes Hautes. The vines are very old having been planted when the land was purchased in 1934. The shallow clay-marl soils at the top and richness and minerality to the wine while the sandier soils at the bottom add a lift to the aromatics of the wine. The wine has great depth of colour. Intense nose with ripe dark fruits, a hint of new oak, a little earth. On the palate is where the wine shines. Not surprisingly it is the most complex of the tasting; there is real fruit intensity. Medium-full bodied with a gorgeous texture, almost a creaminess from the old vines. The tannins there on the finish are long and fine. This is a very stylish CV with impeccable balance.