La Chapelle

La Chapelle sits within the Auxey-Duresses appellation on the Côte de Beaune, wedged between the Premier Cru vineyards of Les Bréterins and Reugne. At just 1.3 hectares, it is one of the smallest of the nine Premier Cru climats in Auxey-Duresses and rarely appears on detailed maps of the appellation. The vineyard occupies south and southeast-facing slopes at elevations ranging from 250 to 400 meters, a positioning that maximizes sun exposure in this continental climate marked by warm, dry summers, cool winters, and a meaningful risk of spring frosts.

• One of nine Premier Cru climats in the Auxey-Duresses appellation
• Situated between Les Bréterins and Reugne on the Côte de Beaune
• South and southeast aspect across 250 to 400 meters elevation
• Continental climate with spring frost risk, typical of the Côte de Beaune

The soils of La Chapelle are dominated by marl over a limestone base, with a pebbly marl-limestone mixture throughout the site. This marl-heavy profile distinguishes La Chapelle from some of its more purely limestone-driven neighbors and contributes to the vineyard's characteristic softness and refinement. Marl-rich soils in Burgundy tend to produce wines with a rounder texture and less structural austerity, which aligns closely with the supple, elegant style associated with this climat.

• Marl predominates over limestone throughout the vineyard
• Pebbly marl-limestone mix provides good drainage
• Marl influence contributes to the wine's rounded, supple texture

La Chapelle produces exclusively red wine from Pinot Noir, following the Premier Cru regulations of Auxey-Duresses. The wines are described as supple and elegant, showing red and black fruit character with a refined, less muscular profile compared to neighboring Duresses and Bréterins. This gentler style makes La Chapelle one of the more approachable Premier Crus in the appellation, though it retains the complexity and site-specificity expected of a classified Burgundy vineyard.

• Red and black fruit notes with refined, supple texture
• Less robust than Duresses and Bréterins Premier Crus
• Exclusively Pinot Noir under AOC Auxey-Duresses Premier Cru rules
• Elegant and approachable style relative to other Auxey-Duresses Premier Crus

The name La Chapelle traces directly to the ruins of a historic chapel once located in proximity to the vineyard. This naming convention is common across Burgundy, where ecclesiastical landmarks frequently gave rise to lieu-dit and climat designations. Despite its Premier Cru status, La Chapelle is a rare sight on appellation maps, a reflection of its tiny footprint and limited production. Domaine Henri Latour et Fils and Domaine Jean et Gilles Lafouge are among the small number of producers working the site.

• Name derives from historic chapel ruins near the vineyard
• Rarely appears on standard appellation maps due to its small size
• Notable producers: Domaine Henri Latour et Fils and Domaine Jean et Gilles Lafouge