Sylvain Cathiard Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers 2023

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

From .0476 ha of vines planted 1945 and 1960 which are located mid-slope quite close the Vosne Romanee border. Aged in 50% new oak, 50% 1 yo oak. This is always a wine of great depth and generosity with real density showing from very old vines. Harmonious plush tannins and great mid-palate, this is an outstanding 1er cru Nuits St Georges. Hedonistic Burgundy at its best.

'More ruby than crimson. The fruit is a little more restrained, but perhaps fresher than the Thorey, more in raspberry and cherry. This continues on a well-rounded palate with just a little youthful bitterness to add a level of tension. Will take a little longer to come round. Drink from 2031-2038. Tasted Nov 2024.' (92-95) points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy, January 2025.

'The 2023 Nuits Saint-Georges Aux Murgers 1er Cru has a little more precision on the nose than the Aux Thorey, with a touch more mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip and fine, quite saturated tannins. There is decent weight on the finish. This is approachable, but will repay cellaring. Drink 2027-2048.' (92-94) 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.