Les Charrières

Les Charrières sits on the northern side of Morey-Saint-Denis, positioned directly below the Grand Cru Clos de la Roche and flanked by Clos des Ormes to the north and Les Façonnières to the south. At 260 metres elevation with an east to east-south-east aspect, the vineyard captures morning sun while remaining sheltered from harsh afternoon heat. It is one of 20 Premier Cru vineyards in Morey-Saint-Denis, a commune better known for its Grand Crus than its Premiers Crus.

• Borders Clos de la Roche Grand Cru to the upper slope
• Located on the north side of the Morey-Saint-Denis commune
• One of 20 classified Premier Cru sites in the appellation
• Elevation of 260 metres within the Côte de Nuits

The soils in Les Charrières are shallow, composed of clay, silt and sand. This lighter, well-draining profile contributes to the vineyard's characteristic style: wines that tend toward elegance and finesse rather than the weight and density found in the Grand Crus above. The climate follows the cool Burgundian pattern with continental influences, providing warm growing seasons tempered by cold winters and the risk of spring frost. The east-facing slope ensures gentle morning sun exposure, which supports gradual, even ripening.

• Shallow clay, silt and sand soils
• Cool maritime climate with continental influence
• Morning sun exposure from east-facing aspect
• Lighter soils compared to some neighboring Grand Cru plots

Les Charrières is planted exclusively to Pinot Noir, as is standard across the red wine vineyards of the Côte de Nuits. The wines produced here are described as fruit-driven, balanced and accessible, with silky tannins and aromatic elegance. They sit in a leaner style compared to Grand Cru Morey, with retained acidity giving them structure and aging potential. The small vineyard size of 2.27 hectares means production is limited, and relatively few producers choose to bottle Les Charrières as a stand-alone designation rather than blending it into a village or general Premier Cru cuvée.

• Pinot Noir is the sole permitted grape variety
• Style: fruit-driven with silky tannins and bright acidity
• Leaner profile than Grand Cru Morey-Saint-Denis wines
• Small production limits availability in the market

The name Les Charrières traces back to Old French, where 'char' referred to a road used by horses, carts and chariots. This type of toponym is common across Burgundy's vineyard map, where historic pathways and land-use patterns are preserved in the names of individual parcels. The vineyard represents one piece of the broader mosaic of Morey-Saint-Denis, a commune historically overshadowed in reputation by its neighbors Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny, yet home to five Grand Crus of its own and a diverse range of Premier Cru sites.

• Name derives from Old French 'char', meaning a cart or chariot road
• Reflects historic land use preserved in vineyard naming conventions
• Morey-Saint-Denis has 5 Grand Crus and 20 Premier Crus total
• Limited single-vineyard bottlings increase its rarity and collector interest

A small number of producers work with Les Charrières fruit and bottle it under the vineyard designation. Domaine Anne and Hervé Sigaut, Domaine Pierre Amiot et Fils, and Domaine Alain Michelot are among the most recognized names. Philippe et Vincent Lécheneaut, Domaine Lignier Michelot and Felettig round out the short list of producers associated with this climat. Each brings a distinct house style, but the shared terroir imparts the characteristic accessibility and aromatic lift that defines Les Charrières.

• Domaine Anne & Hervé Sigaut: established Morey-Saint-Denis estate
• Domaine Pierre Amiot et Fils: respected multi-generational producer
• Philippe et Vincent Lécheneaut: known for precise, terroir-focused winemaking
• Felettig: boutique producer with strong regional reputation