DOMAINE CHANDON
DE BRIALLES
Savigny-lès-Beaune, France
Claude and Francois de Nicolay are the sister and brother team that manage the estate. Their cellars lie under the chateau, a jewel of eighteenth-century French architecture. Almost all their vineyards lie in Aloxe-Corton, Savigny-les-Beaune and Pernand-Vergelesses. All the grands crus come from Corton. The entire operation is run biodynamically.
Their aim is to achieve as transparent and pure an expression of the terroir as possible. The wines are often light in color, as Claude and Francois are believers in the judicious use of whole bunch pressing (no de-stemming). For this the fruit must be in perfect condition. The flavors are elegant and precise, classical.
Although owned by the family since 1834, the estate had languished somewhat during the twentieth century. In the 1980s their mother Nadine determined to revive the domaine. In the 1990s she was joined by Claude, who trained in viticulture and oenology in Dijon. In 2001 Francois came on board, bringing the unusual combination of business savvy and an enthusiasm for biodynamics. While they share responsibilities, Claude mainly takes care of the cellar, and Francois the vines.
Wines
Rouge
Chandon de Briailles Savigny-lès-Beaune
Chandon de Briailles Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Aux Fournaux”
Chandon de Briailles Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Lavières”
Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru “Les Vergelesses”
Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru “Ile des Vergelesses”
Chandon de Briailles Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru “Les Valozières”
Chandon de Briailles Corton “Les Maréchaudes”
Chandon de Briailles Corton “Les Bressandes”
Chandon de Briailles Corton “Clos du Roi”
Blanc
Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru “Ile des Vergelesses” Blanc
Chandon de Briailles Corton Blanc
Chandon de Briailles Corton Charlemagne
2010s Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar - Issue # 160
Chandon de Briailles Reviewed w Dujac by WS