Les Baudines

Les Baudines sits at the very southern tip of the Chassagne-Montrachet commune, immediately adjacent to the Santenay appellation boundary. At 315 meters above sea level, it ranks among the most elevated Premier Cru parcels in Chassagne-Montrachet, a positioning that directly influences the style of wine produced here. The vineyard faces southeast, capturing morning sun while benefiting from the cooling influence of altitude throughout the growing season. It also falls under the wider Bois de Chassagne umbrella title, a grouping that covers several elevated sites on this southern flank of the commune.

• Borders Santenay to the south, making it geographically distinctive within Chassagne-Montrachet
• Elevation of 315m places it at the upper limit for Premier Cru viticulture in the Côte de Beaune
• Southeast aspect ensures good sun exposure while the altitude moderates temperatures
• Part of the Bois de Chassagne collective appellation umbrella

The soils at Les Baudines are clay-limestone in character, specifically described as marly gravel with a strong limestone composition. This combination is typical of the upper slopes in Chassagne-Montrachet, where the bedrock is closer to the surface and the topsoil is thinner and more mineral-driven than on the lower, flatter parcels of the commune. The limestone content encourages the vines to root deeply, contributing to the mineral quality that defines wines from this site. The continental climate brings warm, dry summers that ripen the fruit fully, while cool winters provide the necessary dormancy period for the vines.

• Clay-limestone soils with marly gravel and high limestone composition
• Thinner topsoil typical of upper-slope Chassagne sites encourages deep rooting
• Continental climate with warm dry summers supports full ripeness at high elevation
• Mineral-driven soil profile translates directly into the lean, tense style of the wines

Like many elevated Burgundy vineyards, Les Baudines has a history shaped by the phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century. The site was abandoned and left fallow following the devastation caused by the louse, and it remained unplanted for decades. It was only in the 1960s that Les Baudines was replanted, meaning the current vines are relatively young by the standards of top Burgundy terroirs. This comparatively recent replanting partly explains why the site has attracted less historical documentation than some of its neighbors, though its terroir credentials are firmly established.

• Abandoned after the phylloxera crisis of the late 19th century
• Remained fallow until replanting in the 1960s
• Younger vines relative to many other Chassagne Premier Crus
• Premier Cru classification confirms the site's recognized quality potential

A focused group of producers works with Les Baudines, ranging from small domaines to established négociants. Jean-Marc Pillot and Thomas Morey represent the family domaine tradition of Chassagne-Montrachet, while Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey brings a sought-after, precise winemaking approach that has attracted significant critical attention. Edouard Delaunay, Maison Leroy, and Maison Louis Latour represent négociant interests in the vineyard. Given the site's modest 3.6-hectare total area, production volumes are inherently limited, and individual producer holdings tend to be small. The wines from Les Baudines are generally characterized by their lean structure and mineral intensity rather than the fuller, richer profile of some lower-slope Chassagne Premier Crus.

• Jean-Marc Pillot and Thomas Morey are key family domaine producers
• Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey is among the most critically recognized names working the site
• Maison Leroy and Maison Louis Latour hold négociant interests
• Total production is limited by the vineyard's small 3.6-hectare footprint