Les Chaumes (1er Cru, Chassagne-Montrachet)

Les Chaumes sits within the commune of Chassagne-Montrachet on the Côte de Beaune. The lieu-dit carries a dual classification: the southern block holds Premier Cru status and falls under the Morgeot umbrella appellation, while the northern section, sometimes referred to as Les Chaumées, is classified at the Village level. The Morgeot umbrella is one of Burgundy's more complex administrative groupings, bringing together approximately 20 individual lieux-dits under a single Premier Cru name. Producers may label wines as Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru Morgeot or, where rules permit, use the individual lieu-dit name on the label.

• Southern block: Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru, under the Morgeot umbrella
• Northern block: Chassagne-Montrachet Village appellation
• Morgeot umbrella covers approximately 58 hectares across roughly 20 lieux-dits
• Alternate name Les Chaumées refers primarily to the northern, village-level section

The terroir of Les Chaumes shifts noticeably between its two sections. The Premier Cru southern block faces southeast, capturing morning and midday sun, and sits on shallow clay soils with limestone bedrock and a higher proportion of red clay in places. This heavier soil component contributes to wines of texture and concentration. The northern village-level section faces east and transitions to crumbled limestone with only a small amount of clay, producing a lighter, more mineral expression. Elevation across the lieu-dit ranges from 220 to 325 meters, with the continental climate moderated by the surrounding Burgundian hills providing some protection from the worst weather. Morning sun exposure is a consistent feature across both sections.

• Southern soils: shallow clay over limestone, with red clay in places
• Northern soils: crumbled limestone with minimal clay
• Southeast aspect in south; eastern aspect in north
• Elevation 220 to 325 meters, continental climate with hill protection

White Chardonnay from the Premier Cru section of Les Chaumes delivers concentrated but not heavy wines, showing the mineral finesse characteristic of Chassagne-Montrachet at its best. The red clay soils lend body and richness without sacrificing definition. Pinot Noir grown here tends toward ripe fruit character, benefiting from the southeast aspect and reasonably warm, well-drained conditions in the southern block. At the Village level in the northern section, whites lean more toward purity and straightforward mineral expression, reflecting the limestone-dominant soils. Compared to the more famous whites of Montrachet to the north, Les Chaumes Premier Cru sits in the mid-tier of Chassagne quality but represents strong value for the appellation.

The name Chaumes, and its variant Chaumée, comes from Burgundian dialect. It designates large plateaux characterized by sparse vegetation, land that was historically arid or used for grazing rather than viticulture. Many such place names across the Côte d'Or record the pre-viticultural use of slopes that were later planted to vine. The Morgeot umbrella itself has medieval origins and remains one of the most geographically extensive Premier Cru designations in the Côte de Beaune, covering a wide swathe of southern Chassagne-Montrachet.

• Chaumes derives from Burgundian dialect for sparse, plateau-like terrain historically used as pasture
• Morgeot Premier Cru has medieval origins in Chassagne-Montrachet
• The umbrella structure of Morgeot is a relatively common Burgundian administrative arrangement for grouping multiple lieux-dits

Several well-regarded Chassagne-Montrachet domaines hold parcels in Les Chaumes. Domaine Jean-Noël Gagnard and its offshoots, including Domaine Philippe Colin, Domaine Bruno Colin, and Domaine Simon Colin, represent the Colin-Gagnard family network that has long been central to the commune's reputation. Domaine Hubert Lamy, based in the neighboring Saint-Aubin, also works parcels here and brings a reputation for precise, finely tuned whites. These producers collectively offer a range of styles and price points, making Les Chaumes accessible for those exploring Chassagne Premier Cru without committing to the highest-priced bottlings of the commune.