Les Chouacheux

Les Chouacheux sits within the commune of Beaune in the Côte de Beaune, part of the broader Côte d'Or. The climat covers 5.04 hectares and occupies very gentle southwest-facing slopes. This orientation provides good afternoon sun exposure, contributing to steady ripening conditions. The setting is typical of the Beaune hill, where gradients are more modest than those found in neighboring Pommard or Volnay.

• Commune: Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or
• Southwest-facing aspect on very gentle slopes
• Part of the official Beaune Premier Cru classification
• Total surface area of 5.04 hectares

The soils of Les Chouacheux are classified as argilo-calcaire, a clay-chalk combination common throughout the Côte de Beaune. A notable feature here is the presence of iron oxide, which gives the earth a reddish color. This iron-enriched red earth influences both drainage characteristics and the mineral framework available to the vine. Clay-chalk soils in Beaune tend to support structured, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with good aromatic definition.

• Argilo-calcaire (clay-chalk) base soils
• Iron oxide content imparts a reddish color to the earth
• Clay component supports water retention and vine stress management
• Chalk contributes to the mineral backbone typical of Beaune reds

The name 'Chouacheux' traces back to the old French term 'Les Sausseux,' which referred to a place where willows grew. This kind of etymological link to the natural landscape is common across Burgundian lieu-dit names, which frequently preserve records of historical vegetation, land use, or topography. The transformation from 'Sausseux' to 'Chouacheux' reflects centuries of linguistic drift in local Burgundian dialect. The site has been cultivated under the Beaune Premier Cru framework as part of the formal classification structure that governs Burgundy's finest vineyard sites.

Les Chouacheux produces exclusively red wine from Pinot Noir, as is standard for the vast majority of Beaune Premier Cru sites. The combination of southwest exposure, gentle slopes, and iron-rich clay-chalk soils yields wines described as medium-bodied and elegant, with red fruit character and spice notes. Beaune Premiers Crus in general tend toward approachability relative to the more powerful expressions found in Pommard or the more perfumed styles of Volnay, and Les Chouacheux fits within this profile.

• Grape variety: Pinot Noir exclusively
• Style: Medium-bodied, elegant red wine
• Flavor profile: Red fruit and spice
• Character consistent with Beaune's approachable premier cru style

Several respected Burgundian producers hold vines in Les Chouacheux. The roster includes both domaine-based growers and larger negociant houses. Domaine Chantal Lescure and Domaine Michel Rebourgeon represent the domaine side, while Louis Jadot provides a major negociant perspective on the climat. Château de Saint-Romain, Château de Charodon, and Fanny Sabre round out a producer list that spans different scales and styles, giving consumers multiple entry points for exploring this climat.

• Domaine Chantal Lescure
• Domaine Michel Rebourgeon
• Louis Jadot (negociant)
• Fanny Sabre
• Château de Saint-Romain
• Château de Charodon