CHANDON DES BRIAILLES
Savigny-Les-Beaune
Burgundy
Dating back to 1834, Chandon des Briailles has an admirable history and remains to this day a true family domaine. The estate has been passed down through generations of the de Nicolays’, right down to its current guardians, brother and sister team François and Claude.
Somehow, despite this impressive legacy, it remains a relatively well-kept secret in the wine world. For those in the know, Chandon des Briailles produces wines of exceptional quality year after year which can be incredibly rewarding to age.
The 13.7 hectares of vineyards are dotted throughout the villages of Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand and Aloxe, where the iconic Grand Cru’s of Corton Clos du Roi, Bressandes and Maréchaudes can be found. Organic agriculture has been practiced here since the late 80s, when Nadine, François and Claude’s mother moved to eliminate any chemical treatments of the vineyards. Since then, in those forty-odd years, the domaine switched entirely to biodynamics, achieving the certification in 2012. Generally, when most people mention biodynamics, they are referring to the farming approach in the vineyard, but it's a completely separate certification for the cellar. Today, their holdings are ploughed exclusively by horse and are focusing on replacing sulphur sprays with the use of skim milk in the fight against powdery mildew.
The other major recent change introduced by the brother-and-sister duo is the regular production of bottlings without any added sulphur. While the domaine has been long experimenting with the odd san souffre cuvée for over fifteen years, since 2017 there are now several references (which vary from year to year) which are bottled completely sulphur-free.
Historically, in the cellar, François has been using 100% whole clusters but had to adapt the percentage of whole bunch fruit according to the wine and vintage since 2011. If possible, however, he still favours the use 100% whole clusters. Fermentations start naturally and take place mostly in concrete, with the excpection for the grand cru’s, which are fermented in wood instead. All wines are raised in a combination of used barrels, opting always for neutral oak over new.
Savigny-les-Beaune Blanc, Saucours
Vintage 2019
Style White
Region Savigny-les-Beaune, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone, White marls
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking From a plot plated at younger vines (7-10 years old). This small 0.6ha lieu dit is located in the south of Savigny-les-Beaune. The hill is east facing and it is chilled by the light winds coming from Savigny’s
valley. The white marl soils make the perfect terroir for Chardonnay. Fermentation and maturation takes place in 228L barrels and demi-muids (600L). Ageing on fine lees in old barrels for 15 to 18 months.
Tasting Note This wine is fresh yet concentrated, it has a lovely limpid quality and well-defined aromatics. Notes of yellow apple, pear and fresh almonds. A wet stone minerality and seducing white flower aromas. This may be enjoyed in its youth though will also develop graciously, for up to 10 years.
Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Blanc, Île des Vergelesses
Vintage 2018
Style White
Region Pernand-Vergelesses, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Île des Vergelesses is situated right in the heart of the mid slope of the sea of the Vergelesses, just below Savigny 1er Cru Aux Vergelesses and Pernand 1er Cru Les Vergelesses. This is an exceptional terroir, the soil is well drained with a perfect balance between limestone gravel and iron-rich clay. The vines have been planted between 198
5 and 1991 and the vineyard benefits from an easterly exposure, which help to make this such a longlived Chardonnay. Direct press and fermented in used barrels using indigenous yeasts. Racked once and returned to barrel to age for 18 months on fine lees.
Tasting Note A delightful nose of white flowers and lemon peel that gently unfolds in the glass. As it opens up offers a frutier bouquet with pear and pineapple. The palate is well balanced, medium-bodied, layered and concentrated yet lifted by its bright and mineral finish.
Corton Grand Cru
Vintage 2019
Style White
Region Corton, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Chardonnay
ABV
Soils Red Clay, White Marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Fruit comes from a mixture of Corton Bressandes (the upper part of the slope), Corton Chaumes and Corton Renardes. The particularity of this cuvée is to be planted on soils normally destined for Pinot Noir. Fermented and aged in barrels, though wihtout the use of any new oak and avoiding stirring the fine lees during the ageing period. This was an extraordinary vintage with healthy crops and great concentration. As such this was produced and bottled fully sans soufre.
Tasting Note The particularity of this cuvée is to be planted on soils normally destined for Pinot Noir. As a result it is rather full, with evoking white and yellow fleshy fruit, complemented by a delicate hint of spice and vanilla from the oak. Bold and expansive on the attack yet impressively focussed on the finish.
Pernand Vergelesses 1er Cru, Les Vergelesses
Vintage 2019
Style Red
Region Pernand Vergelesses, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV
Soils Red Clay, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Les Vergelesses comes from an a site within an ancient Roman road that connected Beaune to Vergy. This climat in the lower side of the road, is rich in red iron clay soil over limestone.
Tasting Note This wine is rich and round, yet approachable and harmonious. Very pleasant to drink within the first 10 to 15 years.
Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru, Lavières
Vintage 2018
Style Red
Region Pernand Vergelesses, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV
Soils Red Clay, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking The vineyard is named Laviéres originates from hte word Lave, referring to flat sheets of limestone that were traditionally used to tile roofs in the region. This vineyard is south facing and located mid slope. There is a shallow 30cm layer of red clay on the surface, and the traditional limestone sheets lie underneath. Vines are an average age of 60 years old.
Tasting Note The limestone present in the soils gives wines made from this vineyard a distinctive minerality and saline character. The wine headily floral with a fine structure and light tannins. It has both the complexity and finesse to be drunk in its youth but it is also possible to cellar for 10 to 20 years.
Pernand Vergelesses 1er Cru, Île des Vergelesses
Vintage 2019
Style Red
Region Pernand Vergelesses, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking The vines are found mid-slope on a slight incline east facing and the soil is shared between clay and limestone in medium deep ground, making this an exceptional terroir for Pinot Noir. For this reason, many argue this lieu dit should be classified as a Grand Cru. As for the entire Chandon range soils are ploughed exclusively by horse. Whole cluster fermented in a mix of concrete tanks and wooden cuves, for 2 to 3 weeks. No sulphites are added at pressing nor during any stage of the vinification (including bottling). Aged in old oak barrels of 228L for 18 months.
Tasting Note Great aromatic finesse on the nose showcasing layered redcurrant and myrtle notes with lifting red pepper and violets alongside some fine grained tannins. On the finish a beautiful freshness with long and persistent intensity. Will benefit of a few years in the cellar to reveal its full potential.
Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru, Les Valozières
Vintage 2018 & 2019
Style Red
Region Corton, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV
Soils Clay, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking A 1er cru topographically well placed, beneath Bressandes and next to the Paulands, both Grands Crus. The Val-des-Osiers, stands for ‘the valley of the willow trees’. The soil is rich in clay providing the necessary moisture for the willow trees to grow in.
By means of horse ploughing, they have achieved greater drainage with less compaction giving birth to characterful wines from this appellation. Fermentation of whole bunches in wooden cuves for 2 to 3 weeks, with no added sulphur. Aged in old oak barrels on fine lees for up to 18 months.
Tasting Note This wine has wild and complex aromas, typical of its terroir. It is full-bodied and powerful.Think wild game aromas, red fruits and wet forest floor. Textured tannins will benefit from a few years of cellaring. Wild, heady and unique.
Corton Grand Cru, Maréchaudes
Vintage 2018
Style Red
Region Corton, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV
Soils Gravel, Clay, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking Made from 40 years old vines on the famous Corton Grand Crus Les Maréchaudes. It refers to and old French word translating to ‘marshland’. In this GC we find fragments of limestone bedrock on the topsoil, bringing freshness and finesse to the wines. Soils are exclusively ploughed by horse with winter crops. Whole bunch fermentation takes place in oak barrels for 2-3 weeks. This is followed by ageing in 228L barrels on the lees for 15 to 18 months. The wine is estate bottled without any fining, filtration or SO2 additions.
Tasting Note Ample and round red and black fruit notes come through in a silky, velvety palate. This is rare Corton that can drink well in its youth but can also benefit from 10 to 20 years of ageing.
Corton Grand Cru, Les Bressandes
Vintage 2016
Style Red
Region Corton, Côte de Beaune
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV
Soils Red clay, White marl, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking From a 1.1ha vineyard in the heart of Corton, mid-slope and east facing. The roots are buried by iron-rich clay and
limestone gravel. This site, one of the most iconic in the Corton AOC, benefits from a slightly warmer microclimate than the
surrounding parcels.
In 2018, the wine was made with 100% whole clusters in cuve. Maceration lasted approximately 3 weeks before transferring to old pièce bourguignonne for up to 2 years. No fining nor filtration.
Tasting Note An explosion of black cherry and balckberry fruit, plum and ornage peel with a perfumed nose of peonies. Year after year, the Bressandes has nice density and generous structure, with a finish that hangs on the palate.
Compact now, this wine will benefit from several years of ageing before revealing its full potential and develop from the current fruit-forward profile. Safe to say that Bressandes along with Île des Vergelesses are the flagship wines of the domaine.
Vin de Liqueur Pousse au Crime
Vintage 2013
Style Sweet Fortified
Region
Varieties Pinot Noir
ABV
Soils Red Clay, Limestone
Farming Biodynamic
Winemaking In 2013 Les Laviéres Savigny Les Beaune was severely affected by frost, as such the decision was made to use the little grapes that survived to make their own Marc de Bourgogne. This is aged for 4 years in oak barrels before release.
Tasting Note
Size Only in 50cl