Domaine Chanson
Burgundy, France
Domaine Chanson is one of the great historic producers in Burgundy. Founded in 1750, they are 1 of only 6 producers in the region still remaining from the 18th century and earlier. Most critical to today, Chanson was purchased in 1999 and has been dramatically restored to once again become one of Burgundy’s top estates, best signified in 2017 by 3 of their wines earning “wine of the year” plaudits from the most renowned wine critic in France.
Chanson has extensive holdings of over 111 acres of exclusively Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in the heart of Burgundy. This includes 62 acres of Premier Cru vineyards in the Côte de Beaune, making them one of the leading Premier Cru specialists in the appellation. They produce approximately 17,000 cases of domaine wine per year from their vineyards by farming organically, and harvesting all grapes and vinifying all wines, even for contracted vineyards.
Requiring diligent viticulture and perfect ripeness, they vinify all whites and reds 100% whole cluster at their state of the art facility on the outskirts of Beaune. They use Champagne-style fractional pressing to gently extract the juice, and then age wines in barrel, with no more than 30% new oak for the reds and 20% new oak for the whites.
Aging takes place in the Bastion they own, 1 of the 5 massive towers from the 15th century fortifications that encircle the heart of medieval Beaune. Remarkably, Chanson acquired the Bastion just after the French Revolution. The thickness of the Bastion’s walls (an astonishing 24 feet thick at the base) ensure a constant temperature and level of humidity. The red wines are stored for 18-24 months in oak barrels in the vaulted cellars of the first 3 levels, each one dedicated to a separate vintage. On the 4th level, a huge circular cellar with a gigantic radial structure supported by chestnut beams shelters the white wines during fermentation, vinification and ageing in oak barrels.
Chanson’s wines are defined by lifted and exotic aromas, a supple texture, and rich, dense fruit without heaviness. Chanson is notably obsessed with maintaining top quality across its entire range. The regional and village wines are produced with the same precision and care as the Premier and Grand Crus, and are also artisanal in production. Chanson today occupies a unique position in offering outstanding and authentic wines from a range of both top and up-and-coming terroirs across Burgundy.
Learn more here.
Wines
Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Bourgogne
The grapes for Domaine Chanson’s Bourgogne Rouge are sourced exclusively from select estate-owned vineyards in the Côte de Nuits, as well as several terroirs located in the southern part of the Côte de Beaune.
Bourgogne Chardonnay
Burgundy
This serious Bourgogne Blanc is pale gold in color with intense aromas of citrus fruit, green almond and an underlying minerality. On the palate, it is well-balanced, with very pure fruit and a racy acidity. The finish is refreshing. It's perfect with charcuterie, pâté and goat cheese.
Chablis
Chablis
The village of Chablis, located in the northernmost district of Burgundy, is known for producing steely, crisp wines with intense green-appley acidity and a firm, mineral backbone. Domaine Chanson makes a plot-based selection on hills ideally mostly located in south of the village.
Savigny-Dominode 1er Cru Domaine
Savigny-Les-Beaune, Burgundy
Savigny is a modest little village in the Cote de Beaune. Savigny is known for being the most divided areas in Burgundy with its 22 Premier Cru vineyards located on one of two sides; the Pernard side and the Mont Battois side. The Premier Cru of Dominode is the best Premier Cru of Savigny. It’s mid-slope with great clay and limestone soil.
Viré -Clessé
Viré -Clessé
Chanson's regional wine, Viré Clessé is one of the best white wines of the region, combining suppleness and minerality. The appellation lies in the heart of the Mâcon appellation in the south of Burgundy. The two villages, Viré and Clessé form a unique terroir on south-east facing slopes. In Viré, the soil is chalky with large layers of clay. In Clessé, the soil structure is slightly different, with a combination of chalk and clay mixed with liasic marls combined with oyster-fossils, giving the wine an underlying minerality. It's produced from a combination of Chardonnay and Chardonnay Muscaté grapes.
Beaune Clos des Marconnets 1er Cru
Burgundy, France
"Les Marconnets" are located in the Northern hint of the Appelation Beaune 1er Cru. The name of this vineyard referred to the german tribe "Marcomans". Chanson owns 4 ha, i.e, 40% of the vineyard.
Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes
Beaune, Burgundy
A Chanson "monopole" in the very heart of the first Growths vineyards of Beaune. The vineyard covering 3.80 ha is located on a mid slope. The "Clos des Fèves" was already known in the 14th century under the latin word "Fae".
Beaune Clos des Féves 1er Cru Domaine
Beaune, Burgundy
Clos de Fèves is a Chanson “monopole” located in the very heart of the Premier Cru vineyards of Beaune. The vineyard, covering 9.4 acres, is located on mid-slope. It makes a complete, rounded wine, with striking depth and minerality.
Beaune Clos des Mouches Blanc 1er Cru Domaine
Chanson is one of the major owners of Clos des Mouches with a vineyard of 4.5 hectares. This is a sunny terroir which benefits from an ideal location on the hill at the southern end of the vineyards of Beaune on a spur pointing towards Pommard. A plot of 2 hectares on the upper side of the hill is planted with Chardonnay on a limestone subsoil covered with sand.
Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Hauts Marconnets Domaine
White wines are very unusual in Savigny-Les-Beaune. The vineyards mainly produce red wines. However, Chanson decided to plant Chardonnay here too because of the particular nature of the soil. The wine shows aromas of exotic fruit mixed with floral fragrances.
Reviews
Domaine Chanson Gevrey-Chambertin La Perriere 1er Cru 2018 (92 WE)
- "A complex if not especially elegant nose combines notes of plum, dark currant, violet and a hint of wood influence. The succulent, rich and appealingly energetic flavors possess fine volume while display good length on the mouth coating, rustic, mildly warm and somewhat grippy finish that stops just short of being overtly chewy."
Domaine Chanson Beaune Clos des Mouches Blanc 1er Cru Domaine 2018 (92 WE)
- "Lifted freshness, as from herb-scented lemons, rises from the glass. The concentrated palate of this wine has a gentle texture that lets fruit speak, edged with pithiness that lends even more mouthfeel. The drive and energy of 2018 are captured well. It finishes dry and poised."
Domaine Chanson Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres Domaine 2018 (93 WE)
- "The nose on this wine is shy but reveals creamy vanilla, subtle lemon and ripe Mirabelle surrounded by gentle hazelnut. Smooth and fluid, the palate seemingly floats on a cloud of creaminess. It offers creamy harmony and a bright core of ripe lemon."
Domaine Chanson Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes Domaine 2018 (93 WE)
-
"A vivid streak of ripe lemon on the nose of this wine promises freshness. The mellow, creamy body with its smooth concentration still harbors a little flinty reduction, but also has that gentle aromatic lemon streak, lending shape to the smooth and textured palate. This is elegant and vivid."
More on Domaine Chanson
Thierry Desseauve Features Domaine Chanson as Winery of the Year
June 10, 2020 - Thierry Desseauve, leading French Wine Critic and writer for the French consumer wine publication “Le Classement des Meilleurs Vins de France”, features Domaine Chanson as winery of the year. Desseauve…
Jean-Pierre Confuron of Domaine Chanson named Master of Pinot Noir
June 10, 2020 - Michel Bettane, legendary French Wine Critic and writer for the French consumer wine publication La Revue du vin de France, awards Domaine Chanson's winemaker Jean-Pierre Confuron a Master of Pinot…
People
Vincent Avenel - Managing Director
After beginning is career in Bordeaux and the Loire, his passion for great wines naturally drew him to Burgundy where, over the course of fifteen years, he has been successfully involved in the development and renewal of many renowned Maisons in Beaune, Nuits Saint Georges and Chablis. In perfect harmony with the quality strategy which prevails at Chanson, he now breathes dynamic new life in the Maison, mixing audacity and a respect for tradition.
Trade Materials
Domaine Chanson Le Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2018 Tech Sheet
Spec Sheet | PDF
Domaine Chanson Viré-Clessé 2018 Tech Sheet
Spec Sheet | PDF
Maps
Videos
LIVE with Domaine Chanson
May 28, 2020 - VINTUS Brand Manager Anthony Cohen once again blesses us with his theatrical interviews, this time with none-other than burgundy producer Domaine Chanson. Watch the full interview below. [embed]https://vimeo.com/415545555#t=36s[/embed] https://vimeo.com/423155111
