Aux Brûlées

Aux Brûlées sits at the northeastern boundary of the Vosne-Romanée commune on the Côte de Nuits, occupying 4.5 hectares at 280 meters elevation. Its position directly north of Grand Cru Richebourg places it in elite company on the slope. The aspect runs primarily east to southeast, with some parcels facing south and others north, creating meaningful variation among holdings within the climat. The name derives from the French verb brûler, to burn, most likely referencing historic brushwood clearing or the warm, sun-exposed character of the site.

The defining feature of Aux Brûlées is its extraordinary soil shallowness. A mere 20 centimeters of topsoil sits over fractured limestone bedrock, forcing vine roots to penetrate deeply into the rock in search of water and nutrients. This stress is a primary driver of the concentration and mineral intensity for which the climat is known. Despite cooling westerly winds funneled through the adjacent Combe Brûlée, the microclimate at Aux Brûlées runs warm relative to surrounding areas, a combination that produces both ripeness and freshness in the finished wines.

• Soil depth approximately 20 cm, among the shallowest in Vosne-Romanée
• Hard limestone base with fractured bedrock beneath
• Westerly winds from Combe Brûlée moderate what is otherwise a warm microclimate
• East to southeast orientation maximizes morning sun exposure

Wines from Aux Brûlées are full-bodied and concentrated, with a spicy, mineral character that reflects the limestone bedrock beneath the thin topsoil. The combination of warmth, shallow soils, and good drainage produces Pinot Noir with genuine depth and structure, while the cooling influence of the Combe Brûlée preserves freshness and aromatic complexity. These are wines built for the cellar, capable of developing considerable complexity over time while retaining the elegance expected of top Vosne-Romanée.

• Full-bodied with notable concentration relative to many Vosne-Romanée Premiers Crus
• Spicy character alongside red and dark fruit
• Pronounced mineral quality driven by limestone bedrock
• Structured for aging while maintaining classic Vosne elegance

Méo-Camuzet holds the benchmark reputation at Aux Brûlées, with north-facing parcels planted in the 1930s providing old-vine intensity to their bottling. The estate's work here is frequently cited as a reference point for the climat. Domaine Leroy also holds vines in the climat, bringing their characteristically meticulous viticulture to bear on the site. Other quality producers include Domaine Michel Gros, Gérard Mugneret, Jean-Pierre Guyon, and Moillard, offering a range of styles and price points for exploring this Premier Cru.

• Méo-Camuzet: benchmark producer with 1930s-planted north-facing vines
• Domaine Leroy: biodynamic viticulture, extremely limited production
• Domaine Michel Gros: reliable quality and relative accessibility
• Gérard Mugneret and Jean-Pierre Guyon: well-regarded smaller producers

The climat has carried the name Aux Brûlées, also rendered as Les Brûlées, for centuries, with the etymology tied to the verb brûler. Historians point to two plausible origins: the clearing of brushwood by burning to prepare the land for viticulture, or the sun-baked, hot character of the exposed slope. Its proximity to Richebourg has long made it a reference point in discussions of Vosne-Romanée's hierarchical geography, occupying a persuasive position in the argument that the commune's Premier Cru tier contains wines of near-Grand Cru quality.