Les Amoureuses

Les Amoureuses is one of the 24 Premier Cru climats of the Chambolle-Musigny appellation, in the Côte de Nuits in the Côte-d'Or. In the INAO list of Premier Cru climats, the climat Les Amoureuses corresponds to the lieu-dit Les Amoureuses. The Musigny Grand Cru vineyards lie above the Clos de Vougeot, between Les Amoureuses and the Échezeaux Grand Cru. Across the commune, the slope faces east at 250 to 300 metres, with a shallow covering of soil over the parent rock and fissures in the hard Jurassic limestone.

• One of 24 Premier Cru climats of Chambolle-Musigny
• Climat Les Amoureuses matches the lieu-dit Les Amoureuses in the INAO list
• The Musigny Grand Cru lies between Les Amoureuses and the Échezeaux Grand Cru
• Commune slope faces east at 250 to 300 metres; shallow soil over hard Jurassic limestone

The Chambolle-Musigny appellation was first recognised by the decree of 11 September 1936. It is reserved for red still wines, and Pinot Noir is the grape. Grapes are harvested, and the wines made and aged, within the commune of Chambolle-Musigny. To carry the Premier Cru mention, wines must come from the parcel area approved by the INAO national committee on 1 and 2 June 1988. The appellation name may be completed by the name of the climat of origin, the Premier Cru mention, or both.

• Appellation first recognised by decree of 11 September 1936
• Red still wines only, from Pinot Noir
• Harvest, winemaking and ageing within the commune of Chambolle-Musigny
• Premier Cru parcel area approved 1 and 2 June 1988

Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier lists its plot of Amoureuses at 52 ares 85 ca, planted mostly in 1954 and 1956, with the youngest part planted in 1966, and gives its annual production as between around 900 and 2,700 bottles. Domaine Georges Roumier dates its story to 1924, when Georges Roumier settled in Chambolle-Musigny on his marriage and his in-laws entrusted him with parcels including Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Amoureuses; the domaine states that its Amoureuses parcels carry vines that are almost a century old. Domaine Robert Groffier Père & Fils makes its Les Amoureuses from many different parcels, with vines from 8 to 100 years old; the 2021 saw 40% new oak.

• Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier: 52 ares 85 ca, planted mostly in 1954 and 1956
• Domaine Georges Roumier: Les Amoureuses parcels entrusted to Georges Roumier by his in-laws, with vines almost a century old
• Domaine Robert Groffier Père & Fils: many parcels, vines 8 to 100 years old

Jancis Robinson calls Les Amoureuses one of Chambolle's most famous vineyards and a premier cru that many think should be a grand cru. Mugnier describes the soil of its plot as a layer of red clay 30 to 50 cm deep on a compact limestone slab, the nose of its wine as a bouquet of flowers and red berries, and advises giving the wine at least 7 years.

• Mugnier's plot: red clay 30 to 50 cm deep over a compact limestone slab; at least 7 years advised

Mugnier writes that no one has come up with a convincing explanation for the name Les Amoureuses. It cites Camille Rodier, who said in 1948 that "a wine that has love in it is an expression used in Burgundy to describe a great wine with bouquet, full of fire and sap".

Sources: https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/wine-and-terroir/bourgogne-and-its-appellations/gallery_files/site/321/402/57644/57670.pdf, https://extranet.inao.gouv.fr/fichier/PNOCDC-Chambolle-Musigny.pdf, https://www.bourgogne-wines.com/our-wines-our-terroir/the-bourgogne-winegrowing-region-and-its-appellations/gallery_files/site/321/402/57644/57700.pdf, https://mugnier.fr/en/vin/chambolle-musigny-les-amoureuses/, https://www.roumier.com/fr_FR/le-domaine, https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/visit-chambolle-musigny-us, https://www.burgundy-report.com/burgundy-report-extra/05-2023/robert-groffier-pere-fils-2021/. Last verified 2026-10-14. Correction: Paul Briggs, October 2026. Supporting source (producer's own site): https://www.domaine-sigaut.com/en/wines.