Lavaux Saint-Jacques

Lavaux Saint-Jacques sits within the Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru appellation in the Côte de Nuits, Burgundy. The climat occupies 9.53 hectares at the entrance of the Combe de Lavaux valley, positioned at elevations between 290 and 320 meters on a south to southeast-facing slope. It sits directly adjacent to the highly regarded Clos Saint-Jacques, one of the most prestigious Premiers Crus in the entire Côte d'Or.

• Part of the Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru AOC, recognized since 1936
• Located at the mouth of the Combe de Lavaux, a notable geographic feature shaping the microclimate
• Borders the celebrated Clos Saint-Jacques Premier Cru to the west
• South and southeast aspect maximizes sun exposure despite elevated position

The soils of Lavaux Saint-Jacques are shallow, rarely exceeding 50 centimeters in depth. A red heavy clay and limestone surface layer sits over chalk with clayey marl, and the bedrock is fossil-bearing Jurassic limestone. This shallow, well-drained profile stresses the vines beneficially and concentrates flavors in the fruit. The climate is marginal continental, but the Combe de Lavaux introduces a cooling influence through cold valley winds, moderating temperature swings and preserving freshness and acidity in the wines.

• Shallow soils under 50 cm promote vine stress and flavor concentration
• Red heavy clay over Jurassic limestone bedrock with fossil-bearing rocks
• Cold air from the Combe de Lavaux keeps the site cooler than neighboring plots
• Moderate temperature swings support both ripeness and freshness

The name Lavaux Saint-Jacques derives from a statue of Saint-Jacques discovered in the chapel of the nearby Clos Saint-Jacques castle. The site marked a stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, linking the vineyard to centuries of religious travel across Europe. Viticulture in Gevrey dates to at least 630 AD, giving the broader commune one of the longest documented winegrowing histories in Burgundy. In the late 19th century, Lavaux Saint-Jacques was classified as a deuxième cuvée, a secondary tier, before being elevated to its current Premier Cru status.

• Named for a saint's statue in the Clos Saint-Jacques chapel, a Camino de Santiago waypoint
• Winemaking in Gevrey-Chambertin documented from 630 AD
• Classified as deuxième cuvée in the late 1800s before Premier Cru elevation
• One of 26 officially recognized Premiers Crus in the Gevrey-Chambertin AOC

Lavaux Saint-Jacques produces exclusively Pinot Noir, yielding wines that combine richness and elegance. Expect concentrated black berry fruit, notes of spice and leather, and a fine, structured tannic framework. The cooling influence of the Combe de Lavaux prevents excessive ripeness, keeping the wines lifted and age-worthy. Several respected Burgundy producers hold parcels here, from large négoce houses to small domaines, offering a range of interpretations across different price points.

• Joseph Drouhin and Louis Jadot represent the major négoce presence
• Domaine Humbert Frères, Harmand-Geoffroy, and Berthaut-Gerbet offer domaine-level expressions
• Domaine Tortochot and Domaine Magnien also hold notable parcels
• All wines are Pinot Noir; no white wine production is authorized