Les Crots

Les Crots sits within the commune of Nuits-Saint-Georges in the Côte de Nuits, classified as a Premier Cru under the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation. The vineyard covers 4 hectares of Premier Cru land and an additional 1.7 hectares producing village-level wine. It is also known by the alternate name Château Gris, taken from the historic château building located within the vineyard itself, which serves as a notable local landmark.

• Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
• 4 hectares Premier Cru; 1.7 hectares village-level
• Officially listed as Les Crots; Château Gris is an alternate name

The vineyard occupies a steep slope at elevations between 265 and 300 metres, oriented east to east-northeast. This aspect delivers reliable morning and early afternoon sunlight within a cool continental climate, allowing Pinot Noir to ripen steadily without excessive heat accumulation. The soils are thin and stony, consisting of pebbly scree over hard Jurassic limestone bedrock, with brown earth developed on top of that limestone base. The steep gradient necessitated the construction of terraces to retain soil and allow vine cultivation.

• Elevation: 265 to 300 metres, east to east-northeastern aspect
• Thin, stony soils with pebbly scree over hard Jurassic limestone
• Cool continental climate with good morning to early afternoon sunlight
• Terraced vineyard system required by the steep slope gradient

The name Les Crots derives from 'creux,' the French word for hollow, which describes the marked relief of the steep slope. Terracing was required to manage the gradient and has shaped the physical character of the vineyard over time. The Château Gris, a historic building situated within the vineyard, lends the site its alternate name and remains a recognizable point of reference in this part of Nuits-Saint-Georges.

• Name derived from 'creux,' meaning hollow, referencing the slope's relief
• Terracing historically required to manage the steep gradient
• Château Gris building located within the vineyard gives the alternate name

Les Crots produces red wine exclusively from Pinot Noir. The combination of thin soils over hard limestone, cool continental conditions, and a well-exposed east-facing slope gives the wines a structured, powerful character. Expect red and black fruit aromas alongside spice and tobacco notes, supported by firm tannins. These are age-worthy wines built for the cellar rather than early drinking, reflecting the classic Nuits-Saint-Georges profile of power and concentration.

• Pinot Noir is the sole variety grown
• Full-bodied, powerful wines with red and black fruit, spice, and tobacco
• Firm tannins support age-worthiness
• Style aligns with the broader Nuits-Saint-Georges reputation for structured reds

Several well-regarded Burgundy négociants and domaines hold land in Les Crots or produce wine under the Château Gris label. Albert Bichot and Louis Latour are among the most prominent négociant houses represented here. Domaine Guy and Yvan Dufouleur, Edouard Delaunay, Domaine Decelle and Fils, Françoise Chauvenet, and Lupe-Cholet also produce from this climat, offering a range of styles and price points for those exploring the appellation.

• Albert Bichot and Louis Latour are key négociant producers
• Domaine Guy and Yvan Dufouleur offer domaine-bottled expressions
• Lupe-Cholet and Edouard Delaunay among additional notable names
• Multiple producers provide varied entry points into this Premier Cru