DOMAINE ALAIN MICHELOT
Nuits-Saint-Georges, France
Blessed with an extraordinary range of premier crus vineyards, mostly in Nuits-Saint-Georges, this domaine also has a little Morey Saint Denis, not to mention some precious Clos Vougeot (in a particularly nice spot). Eight hectares overall, 7.5 in Nuits Saint Georges, .5 ha in Morey Saint Denis. Over half of the vineyards are Premier Cru.
The domaine is sometimes overlooked in the U.S. wine press, possibly because the wine-making is relatively traditional, and favors slow evolution.
Perhaps Matt Kramer put it best in ‘Making Sense of Burgundy’: ‘One of the best estates in Nuits Saint Georges.’ In fact, despite the estate’s relatively low profile in the U.S., it is regarded in France as one of the top two or three of the commune.
The domaine was put together by Alain’s father from 1920 up to World War II. After his father’s death in 1966 Alain, just out of viticultural school, took the reins. He was methodical and rational in his approach. His vineyards were beautifully tended, his cellars impeccably tidy. They still are.
Alain has been succeeded as winemaker in recent years by his daughter Elodie, whose steady hand has maintained quality, and made incremental improvements (lower yields, a little less wood used).
The grapes are 90% destalked, and vinification is long and slow. Cuvaison lasts 18-21 days. After pressing, the must settles for a good month (debourbage), then is transferred with the fine lees only to Allier and Limousin barrels. The quantity of new wood depends on the vintage, but is roughly a third. There is no racking for the next 20 months, resulting in very fine tannins. The wines are bottled filtered, but not fined.
Each of the Premier Crus is a lesson in terroir, from the northern Vosne side with somewhat higher clay (Aux Chaignots, La Richemone, Aux Champs Perdrix and La Perriere Noblot) south to the big names of Les St Georges and Vaucrains.
Wines
Alain Michelot Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Alain Michelot Morey Saint Denis
Alain Michelot Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Charrières
Alain Michelot Nuits Saint Georges Vieilles Vignes
Alain Michelot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles
Alain Michelot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots
Alain Michelot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Champs Perdrix
Alain Michelot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Porêts Saint Georges
Alain Michelot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru La Richemone
Alain Michelot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Saint-Georges
Alain Michelot Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains
Alain Michelot Clos de Vougeot