A l'Écu

The name A l'Écu traces directly to the Middle Ages, when the owners of this enclosure used it to pay royalties, or dues, to the powerful Dukes of Burgundy. The écu was a French coin, and the plot's name preserves that feudal history in every bottle. Given its tiny footprint of just 2.37 hectares, A l'Écu has always had only a handful of owners, lending it a sense of rarity that few Burgundy premier crus can match. In 2003, Domaine Faiveley acquired the Clos de l'Écu portion, establishing a monopoly over that specific enclosure within the climat.

• Named for medieval coin-based royalty payments to the Dukes of Burgundy
• Among the fewest owners of any Beaune premier cru plot
• Clos de l'Écu monopoly acquired by Domaine Faiveley in 2003
• The alternate name Clos de l'Écu refers specifically to Faiveley's monopole holding

A l'Écu sits within the Côte de Beaune on a south-facing slope at elevations ranging from 220 to 300 meters. The soils are gravelly and pebbly with a limestone base, a combination that promotes excellent drainage and encourages the vines to root deeply. The continental climate of the region brings warm summers and cold winters, and this climat is noted for early ripening characteristics, which helps Pinot Noir develop fruit concentration while retaining the freshness that defines quality Burgundy. The combination of aspect, elevation, and soil structure gives A l'Écu its distinctive terroir within the broader Beaune appellation.

• South-facing aspect maximizes sun exposure throughout the growing season
• Gravelly, pebbly soils over limestone ensure strong drainage
• Elevation of 220 to 300 meters moderates temperatures and preserves acidity
• Early ripening characteristics support consistent Pinot Noir quality

Wines from A l'Écu express the elegant, medium-bodied character typical of Beaune premier cru red Burgundy. The gravelly limestone terroir contributes a velvety texture and bright, fruity profile rather than the broader, more structured style of some neighboring climats. Only Pinot Noir is grown here. Notable producers working with A l'Écu fruit include Domaine Faiveley as the monopole holder of the Clos de l'Écu, alongside Domaine Besancenot, Chanson, Bouchard Père et Fils, and Louis Latour. The small total area means production is limited, and these wines carry the rarity premium that attaches to Beaune's most compact premier cru plots.

• Domaine Faiveley: monopole holder of Clos de l'Écu since 2003
• Domaine Besancenot, Chanson, Bouchard Père et Fils, and Louis Latour also produce from this climat
• Style is medium-bodied, velvety, and fruit-forward
• Limited production due to the tiny 2.37-hectare total area