Le Clos des Loyères

Le Clos des Loyères sits in Sampigny-lès-Maranges, one of three communes that make up the Maranges appellation at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune. The vineyard occupies a south-facing slope ranging from 240 to 400 meters in elevation, placing it below the La Fussière Premier Cru. This position ensures strong sun exposure throughout the growing season, a critical factor in ripening Pinot Noir at what is one of the more southerly outposts of the Côte d'Or.

• Part of the Maranges appellation, which spans three communes: Sampigny-lès-Maranges, Dezize-lès-Maranges, and Cheilly-lès-Maranges
• Situated below La Fussière, another Premier Cru in the same commune
• Elevation range of 240 to 400 meters provides good thermal variation

The soils of Le Clos des Loyères are argilo-calcaire, a blend of clay and limestone that is the defining soil type of the Côte d'Or. This combination delivers the structure and mineral backbone characteristic of the wines from this site. The clay component retains moisture during dry summers, while the limestone contributes the acidity and freshness that keeps the wines lively. The south-facing aspect maximizes heat accumulation, which together with the cool continental climate of Burgundy helps produce wines with concentration balanced by natural freshness.

• Clay-limestone (argilo-calcaire) soils typical of the Côte d'Or
• Clay retains water; limestone drives acidity and mineral character
• South-facing orientation maximizes solar exposure

Maranges was one of the last appellations to be formally recognized in Burgundy, receiving its official status in 1988. Le Clos des Loyères was classified as a Premier Cru at that time. Before the appellation existed, wines from this part of Burgundy were sold under broader regional labels and were historically noted as the darkest wines of the Côte d'Or, prized for their deep color and structure. The creation of the Maranges appellation gave producers in Sampigny-lès-Maranges and the neighboring communes a distinct identity, and the Premier Cru classification elevated the most distinguished sites within that framework.

• Maranges appellation established in 1988, one of Burgundy's most recent
• Le Clos des Loyères received Premier Cru status at appellation founding
• Historically, Maranges wines were noted as the darkest of the Côte d'Or

Le Clos des Loyères produces exclusively red wine from Pinot Noir. The style is well-structured and full-bodied for Côte de Beaune, with high acidity, medium tannins, and flavors centered on black cherry. The combination of clay-limestone soils, elevation, and south-facing exposure produces wines with more body and color depth than many other Côte de Beaune Premiers Crus. This reflects the historical reputation of Maranges as a source of the Côte d'Or's most deeply pigmented reds. The wines reward some cellaring but are approachable in their youth.

• Full-bodied with high acidity and medium tannins
• Black cherry is the dominant fruit character
• More structured and darker in color than typical Côte de Beaune reds
• Exclusive use of Pinot Noir

Several producers work with fruit from Le Clos des Loyères, ranging from well-known négociant-backed estates to small family domaines rooted in the commune. Château de Pommard and Famille Carabello-Baum bring broader commercial reach to the vineyard, while Domaine Regnaudot, Domaine Bernard Regnaudot, and Château de la Charrière represent producers with deep local ties to Maranges. Nicolas Perrault, Domaine Saint Antoine des Echards, and Domaine Jeannot round out the producer list, offering a range of styles and price points for those exploring this Premier Cru.

• Château de Pommard and Famille Carabello-Baum offer wider distribution
• Domaine Regnaudot and Domaine Bernard Regnaudot are closely associated with the Maranges appellation
• Château de la Charrière is a well-regarded local estate