Clos des Chênes

Clos des Chênes sits on the southeast-facing slopes of Volnay at elevations ranging from 270 to 313 meters above sea level. The vineyard's soils are brown calcareous soils developed over Jurassic limestone bedrock, with a mix of clay, limestone, and marl throughout the profile. This combination of well-drained calcareous substrate and moderate slope elevation is characteristic of the finest Côte de Beaune premier cru sites. The southeast exposure ensures reliable ripening while preserving the natural acidity that gives Volnay its signature freshness and elegance.

• Brown calcareous soils on Jurassic limestone bedrock
• Clay, limestone, and marl contribute to the vineyard's textural complexity
• Southeast aspect at 270 to 313 meters elevation
• Temperate continental climate typical of the Côte de Beaune

The vineyard's documented history begins in 1476, when it appears in records as 'Cloux des Chaignes.' Some historians connect it to a 1207 reference to a site called Clos St Andoche, which would push its recorded history back nearly three centuries further. The name Clos des Chênes translates directly as 'enclosure of oaks,' reflecting the oak trees believed to have covered the land before vines were planted. A particularly significant milestone came in 1934, when Domaine Michel Lafarge bottled wine from this vineyard, placing it among the earliest bottled releases in the domaine's history. That connection between the Lafarge family and Clos des Chênes has remained central to the vineyard's reputation ever since.

• First documented as 'Cloux des Chaignes' in 1476
• Possible earlier reference as 'Clos St Andoche' dating to 1207
• Name derives from chêne, French for oak tree
• Among the first wines bottled by Domaine Michel Lafarge in 1934

Clos des Chênes produces medium to full-bodied red wines with the structure and finesse that define top Volnay. The wines show fine tannins rather than coarse grip, and the combination of red and dark fruit with floral violet notes places them firmly within the classic Volnay aromatic profile. Spice and mineral undertones add complexity, and the calcareous bedrock contributes a stony quality that lifts the finish. Compared to some of Volnay's more delicate premiers crus, Clos des Chênes tends toward greater weight and aging potential, often rewarding a decade or more of cellaring.

• Medium to full body with fine, integrated tannins
• Aromas of red and dark fruit, violet, and spice
• Mineral undertones from calcareous soils
• Strong aging potential, often benefiting from 10 or more years in bottle

Clos des Chênes is worked by a strong roster of Burgundy producers spanning both domaines and négociants. Domaine Michel Lafarge holds a historic connection to the site and produces a benchmark bottling. Domaine des Comtes Lafon, one of the Côte de Beaune's most celebrated estates, also holds a parcel here. Among the négociants, Maison Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot, and Bouchard Père et Fils all produce well-regarded versions. Château de Meursault, Domaine François Gaunoux, Domaine François Buffet, Domaine Henri Delagrange, and Domaine Antonin Guyon round out the ownership across the vineyard's 15.41 hectares.

• Domaine Michel Lafarge: historic benchmark producer with roots at this site since 1934
• Domaine des Comtes Lafon: one of Burgundy's most acclaimed estates
• Négociant representation from Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot, and Bouchard Père et Fils
• Multiple small domaines including François Gaunoux, François Buffet, and Henri Delagrange