Les Chaumes (1er Cru, Vosne-Romanée)
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A southern jewel of Vosne-Romanée, delivering supple, velvety Pinot Noir from iron-rich clay soils at the foot of the slope.
Les Chaumes is a 6.5-hectare Premier Cru vineyard in Vosne-Romanée, known for full-bodied, approachable Pinot Noir. Situated at the southern end of the appellation and lower on the slope than the Grand Crus, it produces wines of notable suppleness and velvety texture from iron-based clay soils.
- Classification: Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
- Total area: 6.5 hectares planted entirely to Pinot Noir
- East-facing aspect with iron-based clay soils
- Located at the southern end of the Vosne-Romanée appellation, lower on the slope than Grand Cru sites
- The name 'Chaumes' shares its etymological origin with 'Charmes', indicating land that was previously unplanted
- Notable producers include Domaine Méo-Camuzet and Domaine Georges Noëllat
- Wine style: full-bodied and supple with velvety tannins, typically more approachable than higher-slope Premier Crus
Location and Terroir
Les Chaumes sits at the southern end of the Vosne-Romanée appellation, positioned lower on the slope than the village's celebrated Grand Cru vineyards. The east-facing aspect ensures morning sun exposure, while the iron-based soils with a significant clay component give the wines their characteristic weight and texture. This lower slope positioning translates directly into a rounder, more generous style compared to the tightly wound, mineral-driven wines produced higher on the hillside.
- East-facing aspect captures morning sunlight
- Iron-rich clay soils contribute body and textural roundness
- Lower slope position than Grand Cru sites in Vosne-Romanée
- Southern location within the Vosne-Romanée appellation boundary
History and Name
The name 'Chaumes' shares the same linguistic root as 'Charmes', a term used historically across Burgundy to describe land that was uncultivated or unplanted before being brought into viticulture. This etymology connects Les Chaumes to a broader pattern of vineyard naming across the Côte d'Or, where the history of land use is embedded in place names. Today the vineyard is fully planted to Pinot Noir and classified as Premier Cru within the Vosne-Romanée appellation.
- Name derives from the same root as 'Charmes', meaning previously unplanted land
- Reflects a historical pattern of vineyard naming across the Côte d'Or
- Now fully planted to Pinot Noir under Premier Cru classification
Wine Style
Les Chaumes produces full-bodied, supple red wines with velvety tannins that set them apart from some of Vosne-Romanée's more structured Premier Crus. The iron-rich clay soils contribute a generous, rounded mouthfeel, and the wines are often considered among the more approachable expressions of the appellation without sacrificing the village's signature aromatic complexity. The lower slope position means slightly less drainage and a richer, more tactile texture than vineyards higher on the hillside.
- Full-bodied with supple, velvety tannins
- More approachable style than higher-slope Premier Crus
- Iron-clay soils drive textural richness and body
- Retains the aromatic complexity characteristic of Vosne-Romanée
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Open Wine Lookup →Notable Producers
Several respected Burgundy domaines hold parcels in Les Chaumes, bringing different winemaking philosophies to the same terroir. Domaine Méo-Camuzet is widely regarded as a benchmark producer for the vineyard, consistently delivering wines that showcase the site's supple character. Domaine Georges Noëllat and Domaine François Lamarche also produce notable examples, alongside Maison Louis Latour, Domaine Armelle et Bernard Rion, Domaine d'Ardhuy, and Jérôme Chézeaux.
- Domaine Méo-Camuzet: benchmark producer for Les Chaumes
- Domaine Georges Noëllat: another highly regarded parcel holder
- Domaine François Lamarche and Maison Louis Latour also produce notable bottlings
- Multiple small domaines and négociants hold parcels across the 6.5 hectares
Full-bodied Pinot Noir with velvety, supple tannins. Expect ripe red and dark fruit, a round and generous mouthfeel driven by iron-rich clay soils, and the characteristic floral and spice complexity of Vosne-Romanée. More approachable in youth than many Côte de Nuits Premier Crus.
- Domaine Méo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Chaumes$120-180Benchmark producer for this site, showcasing the vineyard's supple tannins and generous fruit character with precision.Find →
- Domaine Georges Noëllat Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Chaumes$100-150Highly regarded domaine delivering classic Vosne-Romanée aromatic complexity from Les Chaumes iron-clay terroir.Find →
- Domaine François Lamarche Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Les Chaumes$70-110An accessible entry point to Les Chaumes from a reliable Vosne-Romanée family domaine with long appellation history.Find →
- Les Chaumes is classified as Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru, one of many Premier Cru sites in this prestigious village
- The name shares its etymological root with 'Charmes', both indicating historically unplanted land brought into viticulture
- Located at the southern end of Vosne-Romanée, lower on the slope than Grand Cru vineyards, producing a rounder, more supple style
- Soils are iron-based with clay, contributing to the vineyard's characteristic full body and velvety tannin texture
- Domaine Méo-Camuzet is the benchmark producer to cite for exam purposes; total vineyard area is 6.5 hectares