Clos des Maréchaudes

The name Maréchaudes traces back to the 13th century, when the site was recorded as 'En Mareschaut,' a term derived from the Old French word 'maresche,' meaning marshland. The lower reaches of Aloxe-Corton were genuinely marshy, fed by the source of the Lauve river, and required substantial drainage work before viticulture was viable. That land transformation proved worthwhile: the entire enclosed clos was planted in the early 1950s, and today it stands as one of the most distinctive sites on the Corton hill. The history embedded in the name is a reminder of how much labor has shaped Burgundy's most celebrated parcels.

• Name documented from 13th century as 'En Mareschaut'
• 'Maresche' in Old French refers to marshland or wetland
• Proximity to the Lauve river source caused persistent waterlogging in lower Aloxe-Corton
• Clos planted in its entirety in the early 1950s after drainage work made the land viable

Clos des Maréchaudes straddles the communes of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny on the eastern flank of the Corton hill, sitting at elevations between 200 and 300 meters. The east-southeastern aspect captures morning sun efficiently, earning the site a reputation as one of the warmest and sunniest on the hill, which contributes to early and reliable ripening. Soils are brown limestone over scree, with a notable clay component throughout. The lower section, classified as Premier Cru, contains less clay than the upper portion, which rises into Grand Cru Corton territory. This soil variation across the clos creates a natural gradient in structure and richness between the two classified portions.

• Elevation: 200 to 300 meters on the Corton hill
• East-southeastern exposure promotes early ripening and warmth
• Brown limestone over scree; clay content decreases from upper to lower sections
• Spans both Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny communes

Clos des Maréchaudes holds a genuinely unusual position in Burgundy's classification hierarchy. The lower section of the clos falls under the Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru appellation, while the upper portion qualifies as Corton Grand Cru, giving the property dual appellation status within a single enclosed vineyard. The entire clos is a monopole controlled by Domaine du Pavillon, the estate arm of négociant house Albert Bichot. Monopoles of this kind are relatively uncommon in Burgundy, and a monopole that spans two classification tiers is rarer still. This structure means that a single domaine can bottle two legally distinct expressions from the same continuous plot of land.

• Lower section: Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru appellation
• Upper section: Corton Grand Cru appellation
• Monopole owned and bottled exclusively by Domaine du Pavillon (Albert Bichot)
• One of very few monopoles in Burgundy with dual appellation status

Clos des Maréchaudes produces red wine exclusively from Pinot Noir, reflecting the appellation norms of Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru. The wines are medium to full-bodied with a supple structure and velvety tannins that reflect the clay-influenced soils and warm, sunny exposure of the site. Aromatically, expect black cherry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit alongside secondary notes of spice, tea, and cocoa. The combination of relatively early ripening conditions and clay-rich soils delivers wines with generous fruit concentration and textural richness without sacrificing the savory complexity expected from a serious Côte de Beaune Premier Cru.