Les Chaponnières

The name Chaponnières comes from a medieval French term designating plots of land that were planted with new vines, a practice documented between the 10th and 12th centuries. This etymology places the vineyard firmly within Burgundy's long viticultural history, long before the modern appellation system took shape. The site sits immediately below the renowned Rugiens-Bas climat, one of Pommard's most famous Premier Crus, placing Les Chaponnières in prestigious company on the slope.

• Name references new-vine planting practices from the 10th to 12th centuries
• Directly adjacent to and below the Rugiens-Bas climat
• Part of Pommard's centuries-long winemaking tradition on the Côte de Beaune

Les Chaponnières covers 2.9 hectares on east and south-facing slopes within the commune of Pommard, benefiting from good sun exposure across a long growing season. The soils are clay-limestone with notably deep clay layers, a characteristic that sets Pommard apart from many of its Côte de Beaune neighbors. This deep clay retains moisture and provides consistent nutrient supply to the vines, contributing to the weight and density that defines wines from this climat. The continental climate of Burgundy shapes the growing season with warm summers and cold winters, pushing Pinot Noir toward the structured, fruit-concentrated style for which Pommard is known.

• 2.9 hectares total, east and south-facing for optimal sun exposure
• Deep clay-limestone soils drive richness, weight, and textural density
• Continental climate with warm summers shapes the concentrated fruit profile
• Pommard's clay-heavy geology distinguishes it from lighter-soiled Volnay to the south

Wines from Les Chaponnières reflect the broader Pommard character: powerful, generous, and built for the cellar. Expect prominent notes of blackcurrant, blackberry, and red berries alongside spice, with the deep clay soils contributing a full body and firm tannic structure. The combination of south-facing exposure and clay-rich soils consistently produces wines with depth and complexity that reward patience. This is not a delicate, early-drinking style; Les Chaponnières Pommard Premier Cru benefits from several years of bottle age to fully integrate its tannins and reveal secondary complexity.

• Blackcurrant, blackberry, red berry fruit with spice notes
• Full body and firm tannins from deep clay soils
• Generous fruit concentration from east and south-facing aspect
• Best with several years of cellaring to reach peak complexity

Several respected Burgundian producers hold plots in Les Chaponnières, giving students and collectors multiple benchmark references. Domaine Parent is a longstanding Pommard specialist with deep roots in the appellation and reliable representation of the climat's character. Maison Edouard Delaunay, Prosper Maufoux, Albert Bichot, and Olivier Leflaive each bring their house styles to the vineyard, offering a range of interpretations from the same terroir. Comparing these producers across vintages provides an excellent window into how winemaking philosophy interacts with a consistent terroir base.

• Domaine Parent: Pommard specialist and authoritative voice for this climat
• Albert Bichot and Olivier Leflaive: respected négociant perspectives
• Maison Edouard Delaunay and Prosper Maufoux: additional notable holdings
• Multiple producers allow useful comparative tasting across a single terroir