Chavy-Chouet is a 15 hectare-domaine that produces wines from six communes in the Côte de Beaune: Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, St. Aubin, Volnay, Pommard and Maranges. The vineyards span over 70 parcels planted to vines that are at least 40-years-old, usually older. One of their hallmark vineyards is Clos des Corvées de Citeaux, which is a monopole in Meursault. It is 0.9 hectares and has been in the family since 1893.
The domaine has been run by Romaric Chavy-Chouet since 2006. He is the 7th generation, and the child of a marriage between two prestigious Burgundians families. His father’s family is one of oldest in Puligny Montrachet. The Ropiteau family, on his mother’s side, is one of the oldest in Meursault. He is hailed as one of the rising stars in Burgundy.
Romaric decided on his career at an early age. At 12-years-old, he attended wine school for six years, and spent time working for his godfather, Francois Mikulski. Romaric’s father, Hubert, was known not only for his winemaking but also for his charisma. He was able to work with Romaric for a few years before his passing in early 2014.
Romaric farms organically, though he is not certified. He says “Our ecological drive is reflected in daily but moderate plowing, allowing us to replace herbicides for the past 30 years. Thanks to sulfur and copper, the only inputs used on our land, our plants are protected, strengthened and supported to give the best of themselves”.
Romaric has become a smart vigneron with a natural talent for winemaking. He has given the estate a makeover, following an approach that combines rigor, tradition, and innovation. His cellar is a mix of ancient and ultra-modern. The set-up allows Romaric to work hand-in-hand with nature and meet his high demands for quality. Stylistically, the wines are much precise and mineral-driven under his tutelage.
After harvest and triage, the fruit is gently pressed and allowed to settle for 18 to 24 hours. The must is then passed by gravity into tank and fermented over indigenous yeasts. To maintain purity, there is no batonnage. The wine ages on its lees in 228 liter Gillet barrels (maximum of 10% new) for 9-12 months. Following his father’s methods, Romaric does not fine or filter his wines, instead allowing their purity to shine through.
Bourgogne Aligote "Les Marechaux"
2 ha plot in Puligny; 60-year-old vines, deep soil with lots of clay, ageing in stainless and old barrels.
Bourgogne Blanc "Les Femelottes"
3 ha vineyard near village wines in Puligny; 40-year-old vines, clay-sand soil, aged in oak barrels, 10% of which are new.
Bourgogne Blanc "Les Saussots"
40-year-old plot in Meursault. Stainless steel fermentation and barrel aged.
Maranges Blanc "Les Meurees"
A very steep parcel of older vines with lots of clay and rocks. Aged 10 months in 10% new oak.
Saint Aubin 1er Cru "Les Murgers des Dents de Chien"
Looking down over the grand crus of Puligny-Montrachet, these vines grow on limestone soil covered with white pebbles. Aged 12 months in 20% new barrels.
Meursault "Casse Tetes"
A “casse tête” in French is a conundrum or puzzle, and the name of this plot refers to the hardness of the soil and the challenge it was for their ancestors to plant vines on this pebbly limestone soil. 45-year-old vines, aged 12 months in 20% new oak.
Meursault “Les Grands Charrons”
This old-vine parcel is at the bottom of the hill in Meursault. It has clay on the bottom and limestone at the top. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak.
Meursault "Clos des Courvées" Monopole
1 ha of 60-year-old vines in the middle of Meursault with clay-limestone soil. Formerly owned by Cistertian monks, it was part of the appellation of L’Ormeau. Aged 12 months in 20% new barrels.
Meursault "Les Vireuils"
The "Les Vireuils" parcel is located on the top of the hill above Meursault, right below the forest. It is slightly cooler parcel with a limestone soils with a higher presence of rocks. The wines coming from this parcel are always sharp with a vibrant acidity and a lot of freshness.
Meursault "Les Narvaux"
Les Narvaux in Meursault sits at the top of the slope on a steep, shallow, limestone plot. 60-year-old vines, aged 12 months in 20% new barrels.
Meursault 1er Cru "Les Charmes"
Located right next to Puligny-Montrachet, the plot of Les Charmes was planted in 1943 on a sandy clay-limestone soil that produces small, concentrated berries for an intense wine that is built to age. Aged 12 months in 20% new barrels.
Meursault 1er Cru "Les Genevrieres"
Halfway up a steep, rocky, limestone slope, this plot, planted in 1945, struggles to produce small, very high-quality grapes.If there were Grand Cru in Meursault, they would be Genevrieres and Perrieres. Aged 12 months in 20% new barrels.
Puligny Montrachet "Les Enseigneres"
Les Enseignères is the most reputed climat producing Puligny-Montrachet village wines. It owes its popularity to its exceptional geographic situation and geology, similar to the neighboring Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. 65-year-old vines. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak.
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Folatieres"
50-year-old vines. Les Folatières is located mid-way on a steep slope with poor soil where the bedrock can be seen peeking through. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak.
Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Champ Gains"
Right on top of the hill of Puligny-Montrachet, this steeply-sloping plot has rocky, limestone soil. Aged 12 months in 20% new oak.
Bourgogne Rouge "La Taupe"
A 2 ha plot of 70-year-old vines that grow next to the Chateau de Pommard. Clay soil. Aged 10 months in 10% new oak barrels.
Maranges Rouge "Les Plantes"
Steep vineyard of older vines with lots of clay and sand. Crunchy and fruity at the same time. Aged 10 months in 10% new oak.
Volnay 1er Cru "Carelle Sous La Chapelle"
Clay-sand soil in the heart of Volnay. Aged 10 months in 10% new barrels.
Pommard 1er Cru "Les Chanlins"
A 0.30 ha plot located above and besides Rugiens, closer to Volnay than Pommard. Steep and rocky with clay-limestone soil. Aged 10 months in 10% new oak barrels.