Domaine de Bellene Aux Chaignots Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2022

Nuits-Saint-Georges is known for the firmest, most structured, most earthy Pinots throughout the Côte de Nuits, and Aux Chaignots is like the Madonna of Premier Cru vineyards. This exquisite and generous 2022 vintage comes from Domaine de Bellene, the organically farmed estate of the late, much-loved Nicolas Potel. Ludicrously down from $275 retail, it’s yours for under $100, with free shipping on 3 or more!

Where Burgundy’s other great villages lean toward perfumed elegance and silky textures, Nuits-Saint-Georges trends toward depth, grip, and a dark, savory, brooding core, setting the wines apart for their sheer and remarkable ageability. Aux Chaignots is a Premier Cru climat on the southern side of the village, a classification that sets it a step above the village-level wines. 

The name on the label belongs to Nicolas Potel, one of Burgundy’s most beloved and hard-working figures who sadly passed away last summer. Nicolas grew up at Domaine de la Pousse d’Or in Volnay, learning alongside his father Gérard, a pioneer of the estate-bottling era. He first made his name as a négociant with a genius for coaxing great barrels out of great growers, then poured everything into Domaine de Bellene, the name a wink at the ancient roots of “Beaune” – where he farmed organically, worked out of historic old-stone cellars in the center of town, and treated ancient vines like treasure. The fruit here comes from plants averaging roughly 75 years old… stubborn, low-yielding old-timers that give up only a handful of tiny, deeply flavored berries, raised with a light touch in large, well-worn French oak so nothing gets in the way of the wine.

2022 delivered a warm, dry growing season and a generous crop, with ripe fruit and a welcoming character. This one pours deep ruby and opens with black cherry, wild blackberry, and plum skin, followed by dried violets, cocoa nib, and a caress of forest floor after rain. The palate is polished but purposeful, with fine, dusty tannins, a savory streak of iron, and a long, stone-tinged finish. Give it a little breathing time if you open it now, but the true magic awaits another few years (or decades) in the bottle. This kind of caliber, pedigree, and quality for a 1er Cru Burgundy doesn’t usually punch in for anything close to our price… so get some and don’t be shy about it!

FOOD PAIRINGS: Roast pork loin crusted in crushed juniper and black pepper, served alongside caramelized celery root and a few prunes – pure perfection!