Aux Clous

Aux Clous sits on the south-facing slopes of the Bois Noël hill in Savigny-lès-Beaune, a commune on the northern edge of the Côte de Beaune. The vineyard lies near the Rhoin river and covers nearly 10 hectares across a gentle, homogenous slope. Elevation ranges from 250 to 280 meters, giving the site all-day sunlight exposure that is relatively rare in Burgundy. The slope's consistent gradient promotes even ripening and good cold-air drainage, reducing frost risk on the valley floor.

• Positioned near the Rhoin river on the Bois Noël hill
• Gentle, uniform slope ensures even sun exposure throughout the growing season
• Elevation of 250 to 280 meters supports cool-climate ripening with warmth from full southern aspect
• Located within the broader Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru appellation zone

The soils at Aux Clous are argilo-calcaire, a clay-limestone mix studded with limestone pebbles that make the site particularly stony. This stoniness is a key factor: the pebbles absorb and radiate heat, extending the effective growing season, while the free-draining structure prevents waterlogging and concentrates flavors. The underlying Jurassic subsoil provides the classic mineral backbone associated with Côte de Beaune reds. Savigny-lès-Beaune sits within Burgundy's cool continental climate, but the south-facing aspect at Aux Clous moderates that coolness, giving the vineyard a warmer microclimate than many of its neighbors.

• Stony clay-limestone topsoil over Jurassic limestone subsoil
• Limestone pebbles contribute heat retention and excellent drainage
• South-facing exposure offsets Burgundy's cool continental climate
• Well-draining structure reduces disease pressure and concentrates berry flavors

The name Aux Clous is a linguistic evolution of 'Clos,' the French term for an enclosed plot. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the site functioned as an enclosed garden before being converted to vineyard land, and the name shifted phonetically over time. Historically, the land passed through some of Burgundy's most powerful hands: the Duke of Burgundy's domain, neighboring abbeys, and the Knights of Malta all held ownership at various points. This combination of noble and ecclesiastical stewardship reflects Burgundy's broader medieval pattern of institutional vineyard management, which helped preserve and codify the region's best plots long before modern appellation law.

• Name derives from 'Clos,' referencing enclosed gardens of the 14th to 16th centuries
• Previously owned by the Duke of Burgundy, local abbeys, and the Knights of Malta
• Savigny-lès-Beaune AOC formally established on July 31, 1937
• Part of Burgundy's long tradition of ecclesiastical and noble vineyard custodianship

Aux Clous produces medium-bodied red wines from Pinot Noir that showcase refined, supple tannins and a spicy red fruit profile. The south-facing slope and stony soils deliver reliable ripeness that gives the wines a fruity, approachable character, while the Jurassic limestone subsoil adds structure and a subtle mineral thread. Floral and spicy hints lift the aromatic profile, placing these wines firmly in the elegant, finesse-driven style associated with Savigny-lès-Beaune rather than the more powerful expressions found in Pommard or Gevrey-Chambertin. A small quantity of white wine from Chardonnay is permitted under the appellation rules, though red wine dominates production.

• Medium-bodied Pinot Noir with refined, supple tannins
• Flavor profile of spicy red fruit with floral and spicy aromatic hints
• Limestone subsoil contributes structure and mineral character
• Tiny white wine production from Chardonnay is permitted but rare

Several respected Burgundy producers hold parcels in Aux Clous. Domaine d'Ardhuy and Domaine Louis Chenu Père et Filles bring strong local Savigny expertise, while négociant houses Maison Joseph Drouhin and Alex Gambal offer broader distribution of the appellation. Domaine Pierre et Jean-Baptiste Lebreuil, Domaine Camille Giroud, and Pierre Girardin round out a producer list that spans traditional domaine bottlings to modern, terroir-focused interpretations. Comparing across producers is an excellent exercise for understanding how winemaking choices interact with a consistent terroir base.

• Domaine d'Ardhuy and Domaine Louis Chenu Père et Filles represent strong local expertise
• Maison Joseph Drouhin provides wide availability for students and professionals
• Pierre Girardin and Alex Gambal represent newer-generation terroir-focused producers
• Domaine Camille Giroud and Domaine Pierre et Jean-Baptiste Lebreuil offer classic domaine-style bottlings