Aux Cheseaux

Aux Cheseaux sits at the northern tip of Morey-Saint-Denis, one of the four main communes of the Côte de Nuits. The vineyard borders Gevrey-Chambertin directly to the north and lies adjacent to two of Burgundy's most celebrated Grand Crus, Charmes-Chambertin and Mazoyères-Chambertin. Of the 2.6 total hectares within the lieu-dit, 1.49 hectares carry Premier Cru status, making it one of the smaller classified sites in the appellation. The vineyard sits between 250 and 270 metres elevation with an easterly aspect, receiving morning sun across its limestone-dominated slopes.

• Premier Cru under the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation
• 1.49 ha classified as Premier Cru within a 2.6 ha total parcel
• Shares borders with Gevrey-Chambertin and Grand Cru vineyards to the north
• Easterly exposure at 250 to 270 metres elevation

The soils at Aux Cheseaux are characteristically rocky, built on a foundation of limestone with contributions of chalk, chalky marl, and clay. This stony, free-draining structure encourages vines to root deeply and limits yields naturally. The climate adds another layer of complexity: constant winds channeled from the Gevrey-Chambertin side cool the site relative to its neighbors and push the ripening window later into the season. This cooler microclimate is a defining influence on the wine's character, reinforcing the vineyard's tendency toward finesse over power.

• Rocky limestone base with chalk, chalky marl, and clay
• Free-draining soils promote deep root development and natural yield restriction
• Persistent winds from Gevrey-Chambertin side cool the site
• Later ripening period compared to many neighboring Premier Crus

The name Aux Cheseaux is ancient, and the site itself carries physical evidence of pre-medieval occupation. Ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa have been identified within the vineyard boundaries, pointing to viticulture or agricultural activity dating back well over a thousand years. This kind of historical continuity is common across the great vineyards of the Côte de Nuits, where Roman settlers recognized the same slope exposures and limestone soils that growers prize today. The alternate spelling Aux Chesaux appears on some labels and documents but refers to the same lieu-dit.

Aux Cheseaux produces Pinot Noir with a profile shaped by its cool microclimate and rocky soils. Expect medium body, soft tannins, and red fruit flavors, with the kind of elegant, fine-boned structure that distinguishes the best Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Crus from the richer, more muscular wines of neighboring Chambolle or Gevrey. The vineyard is shared among several respected producers, including Domaine Arlaud, Domaine Lignier-Michelot, Maison Leroy, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Louis Rémy, Jérôme Castagnier, and Vincent Jeanniard.

• Medium-bodied Pinot Noir with soft tannins and red fruit core
• Elegant, fine-structured style consistent with cool-microclimate sites
• Domaine Arlaud and Domaine Lignier-Michelot are key domaine-level producers
• Maison Leroy and Maison Joseph Drouhin offer négociant-sourced examples