Aux Reignots

Aux Reignots sits in the heart of Vosne-Romanée, in the Côte de Nuits of Burgundy. Its position on the slope is extraordinary: the vineyard lies directly above two of Burgundy's most celebrated Grand Crus, La Romanée and Romanée-Conti. Classified as Premier Cru within the Vosne-Romanée appellation, the site consistently attracts attention from collectors and critics who consider its terroir worthy of Grand Cru status. The vineyard spans just 1.62 hectares, making it one of the most compact Premier Crus in the village.

• Premier Cru classification within Vosne-Romanée appellation
• Directly upslope from La Romanée and Romanée-Conti Grand Crus
• One of the smallest named Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanée at 1.62 hectares
• Found on official maps under the alternate spellings Aux Raignots and Les Reignots

The terroir of Aux Reignots combines several factors that distinguish it from neighboring vineyards at lower elevations. The site rises from 280 to 320 meters on a steep 15% gradient with an east-southeast aspect, ensuring good morning sun exposure and protection from harsh afternoon heat. Shallow soils of sandy topsoil rest over a hard limestone base, limiting vine vigor and concentrating flavors in the fruit. The higher altitude introduces a cool mesoclimate relative to the valley floor, with meaningful diurnal temperature variation that preserves acidity and aromatic complexity in the finished wine.

• Sandy topsoil over hard limestone base; shallow soils stress vines beneficially
• Steep 15% slope promotes natural drainage and root penetration into bedrock
• East-southeast aspect captures morning light; evening coolness retains freshness
• Diurnal temperature variation at elevation supports aromatic precision and acidity

Aux Reignots produces exclusively Pinot Noir, as is standard throughout Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru. The wines are full-bodied by Burgundian standards, with excellent structural integrity derived from the limestone subsoil. Floral and mineral characteristics define the aromatic profile, alongside the red fruit and earthy complexity typical of the village. The combination of shallow soils, steep slope drainage, and cool mesoclimate yields wines with elegance, refinement, and notable aging potential. The vineyard's proximity and geological continuity with the Grand Crus directly below it help explain why experienced tasters often struggle to separate Aux Reignots from its more illustrious neighbors in blind conditions.

Despite its tiny 1.62-hectare footprint, Aux Reignots is divided among approximately 10 separate owners holding around 20 fragmented plots. This level of fragmentation is characteristic of Burgundy's inheritance-driven land division and means that production from each owner is extremely limited. Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair is the most prominent single producer associated with the vineyard, with Domaine Sylvain Cathiard, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Bouchard Père & Fils, and Domaine Jean Grivot also holding parcels. Each producer brings a distinct winemaking philosophy to the site, resulting in wines that share a common terroir signature while reflecting individual cellar approaches.

• Approximately 10 owners across 20 fragmented plots
• Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair is the most celebrated single producer
• Domaine Sylvain Cathiard and Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux hold notable parcels
• Bouchard Père & Fils and Domaine Jean Grivot round out key ownership

The reputation of Aux Reignots has long been tied to its proximity to the Grand Crus of Vosne-Romanée. The vineyard's position immediately upslope from La Romanée and Romanée-Conti places it within the most revered band of hillside terroir in Burgundy. Over time, consistent critical recognition and the performance of wines from top producers have built a case for a quality level that many in the trade consider to exceed its Premier Cru classification. The vineyard's alternate names, Aux Raignots and Les Reignots, appear across historical documents and modern labels, reflecting regional spelling variation rather than distinct parcels.