Sylvain Cathiard Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Reignots 2023

Variety: Pinot Noir
Country Region: France, Burgundy, Cote de Nuits
Appellation: Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

From the youngest vines of the domaine, planted in 1997 and located above Grand Cru La Romanée. With holdings totalling 0.2468 ha located in the middle of the vineyard, Cathiard is the second largest landowner from this tiny 1er Cru. From this he produces 5 barrels in a good vintage. The wine aged in 50 % new oak, 50 % 1 yo oak.

'The 2023 Vosne-Romanée Aux Reignots ler Cru, raised in 55% new oak, has an exquisite bouquet that frankly puts the preceding Nuits Saint-Georges in the shade: wonderful, expressive red berry fruit, crushed stone and pressed violets, all with superb delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins. This is a little oaky at the moment, but that will be absorbed. Very fine. Drink 2027-2050.' (93-95) points, Neal Martin, Vinous, November 2024.

“Do I need to tell you how much I adore Sylvain Cathiard’s wines? This is a seriously good quality producer of Vosne-Romanée, one whose star is in the ascendant. These are gloriously silky smooth, complex wines; not just with the top Premier Crus but down to the generic Burgundy. It’s the intensity and focus that set Cathiard apart, wines with supreme definition and purity that seduce the palate like a beautiful courtesan. I would love to taste his Grand Crus, but they are incredibly rare and sought-after. This producer comes highly recommended from top to bottom.” Neal Martin, Vinous.

This tiny Domaine was established by Sylvain Cathiard’s grandfather ( who worked for Domaine de la Romanee Conti and later for Domaine Lamarche) in the 1930s and was then further built and maintained by Sylvain’s father Andre from 1969 until 1985, when Sylvain himself became involved. The following year, Sylvain set up his own with parcels of vines rented from his father and other vignerons, before taking on his father’s original vineyards. From 2006, he was joined by his son, Sebastian, and they have formed the estate of Sylvain Cathiard et Fils and since 2011 Sebastien is running the domaine with Sylvain retiring.

Based in Vosne, his 5 hectares span Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny, with a very small parcel in Romanée-St-Vivant located directly below Romanee Conti where they are officially the smallest land-owner of this magnificent Grand cru. All vineyard work is carried out with meticulous attention to detail by Sebastien and his wife and a small dedicated team. All vineyard work is done on organic principles although Sebastien has not sought certification.

For winemaking Sebastien has a definite hands-off approach, preferring to do nothing rather than interfere with the natural development of the wines. He de-stems entirely, cold settles the juice for about 10 days and ferments the wines for between 22 and 30 days on skins. The new wines are matured for 18 months in oak of which about 90% is from tonellerie Remond and 10% from Francois Freres as follows: Village wines, roughly 1/3rd new oak and 2/3rds of 1 year old; 1er Crus, roughly 50% new oak and 50% 1 year old; Grand Cru, two new barrels and one one year old barrel. Since 2000 none of the wines are fined or filtered.