Aux Malconsorts

Aux Malconsorts takes its name from the thorny brushwood, known locally as malconsorts, that covered the plot before it was cleared and planted in 1610. That origin from scrubland makes its eventual prestige all the more remarkable. Pre-1936 maps of Burgundy classified Aux Malconsorts on equal footing with its Grand Cru neighbors, and the 1855 Lavalle classification placed it in the top tier, 'Première Cuvée,' alongside the finest vineyards of the Côte de Nuits. The vineyard borders both La Tâche and Les Gaudichots to the north, placing it in elite geographic company.

• Name derives from thorny brushwood that covered the site before 1610
• Pre-1936 cartography grouped it with neighboring Grand Crus
• Lavalle's 1855 guide awarded it 'Première Cuvée' status
• Northern boundary shared with La Tâche Grand Cru

The vineyard sits at 260 to 280 meters elevation on a southeast-facing slope in the southern part of Vosne-Romanée's Premier Cru belt. The aspect delivers consistent sunlight throughout the day, a significant advantage in Burgundy's cool continental climate. Soils shift meaningfully across the site: the upper section is lighter and sandier, while the lower section carries richer, more ferruginous clay over a limestone base. This internal variation means different parts of the vineyard contribute distinct textural and aromatic elements to finished wines. The stony, well-draining character overall supports the concentration and mineral precision that define the appellation.

• Elevation: 260 to 280 meters above sea level
• Southeast aspect maximizes sun exposure in the cool continental climate
• Upper section: lighter, sandier soils
• Lower section: richer clay with higher iron content over limestone

Wines from Aux Malconsorts combine the power and structure typical of southern Vosne-Romanée with genuine elegance and aromatic complexity. Expect spicy and floral aromas, firm but refined tannins, and a mineral backbone that drives the wine toward a long finish. The proximity to La Tâche lends a certain intensity and depth not always found in other Vosne Premier Crus. These are wines built for cellaring, often requiring a decade or more to reveal their full potential. The textural richness of the lower ferruginous soils and the purity contributed by the sandier upper sections together produce a layered, complete expression of Pinot Noir.

• Aromas of spice, flowers, and red fruit with strong mineral character
• Firm tannin structure supports long aging potential
• Power and elegance in balance, characteristic of the La Tâche corridor
• Best approached after ten or more years of cellaring

Three domaines stand out as benchmark producers of Aux Malconsorts. Domaine Dujac brings its hallmark transparency and whole-cluster complexity to the site. Domaine de Montille produces a wine known for precision, tension, and classical structure. Domaine Sylvain Cathiard, among the most sought-after addresses in all of Vosne-Romanée, crafts a version that consistently draws comparisons to Grand Cru level wines. Each producer expresses the terroir distinctly, making Aux Malconsorts a compelling study in how great Burgundian sites speak through different winemaking philosophies.

• Domaine Dujac: whole-cluster style with aromatic transparency
• Domaine de Montille: structured, precise, classically oriented
• Domaine Sylvain Cathiard: intense, sought-after, Grand Cru in all but name