Les Murgers des Dents de Chien

Les Murgers des Dents de Chien occupies a privileged position on the Côte d'Or escarpment in the commune of Saint-Aubin, classified as a Premier Cru within the Saint-Aubin appellation. The vineyard sits directly above the Grand Cru vineyards of Le Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet, a geographic fact that shapes its reputation as one of Burgundy's most compelling value propositions. At 16 hectares, it is one of the larger Premier Cru sites in Saint-Aubin, and consistently ranks as the appellation's most sought-after climat.

• Saint-Aubin Premier Cru, Côte de Beaune
• Directly above Le Montrachet and Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Crus
• 16 hectares total; exclusively white wine production from Chardonnay
• One of the most popular and commercially visible Premier Cru vineyards in all of Saint-Aubin

The vineyard name tells its own geological story. 'Murgers' describes the traditional dry stone walls and piled stones cleared from the land by generations of vignerons, while 'dents de chien' (dog's teeth) refers to the long, pointed limestone outcrops that characterise the site. The soils are shallow and stony, sitting over a limestone bedrock with Bathonien marl and Argovian limestone and marl. Clay content is present but paired with an exceptionally high concentration of limestone, promoting excellent drainage and forcing vine roots deep in search of water and nutrients. This combination of shallow soils, active limestone, and stony texture directly drives the vineyard's hallmark minerality.

• Shallow stony chalk soils over hard limestone bedrock
• Bathonien marl and Argovian limestone and marl subsoils
• High limestone concentration promotes drainage and mineral character
• Pointed limestone outcrops gave the site its distinctive 'dog's teeth' name

Elevation is the defining climatic factor at Les Murgers des Dents de Chien. At 320 to 370 meters above sea level, the site experiences a cool mesoclimate relative to lower Côte de Beaune vineyards, with pronounced diurnal temperature variation between warm days and cool nights. This temperature swing preserves natural acidity and aromatic freshness in the grapes. The south to southeast aspect compensates for the altitude by maximising sun exposure, but the site is nonetheless relatively late-ripening compared to vineyards lower on the slope. The result is Chardonnay that retains tension and precision while achieving full phenolic ripeness.

• Elevation of 320 to 370 meters; cool mesoclimate with strong diurnal variation
• South to southeast aspect maximises sunlight at high altitude
• Late-ripening character preserves natural acidity and freshness
• Continental climate typical of Burgundy with cold winters and warm summers

Chardonnay from Les Murgers des Dents de Chien is medium-bodied and defined above all by its taut, racy structure. Crisp acidity forms the spine of the wine, while the stony limestone soils deliver the chalky minerality the vineyard is celebrated for. Aromatically, expect white flowers, citrus, and chalk on the nose, with almond and hazelnut adding texture and complexity on the palate. The wines are delicate rather than opulent, rewarding those who appreciate precision and site-driven character over richness. With a few years of bottle age, the wine develops additional depth while retaining its characteristic raciness.

• Medium body with high natural acidity and taut, linear structure
• Aromas of white flowers, chalk, citrus zest, green apple
• Palate notes of almond, hazelnut, and limestone-driven minerality
• More restrained and precise than lower-elevation Côte de Beaune whites

Domaine Hubert Lamy is widely regarded as the benchmark producer for this vineyard, producing a version that consistently draws comparisons to Grand Cru-level white Burgundy. François Carillon and Domaine Larue also produce highly regarded examples with strong followings among Burgundy collectors. Additional quality-focused producers working the site include Chavy-Chouet, Domaine Derain, Vincent Girardin, Armand Heitz, Denis Clair, and Moillard. The range of producers ensures wines at several price points, making Les Murgers des Dents de Chien one of the more accessible high-quality Premier Cru sites for consumers and study candidates seeking exposure to serious Côte de Beaune Chardonnay.

• Domaine Hubert Lamy: benchmark producer, consistently outstanding
• François Carillon and Domaine Larue: highly regarded, collector-favoured
• Denis Clair and Armand Heitz: quality-focused producers offering good value
• Multiple producers across price tiers make the vineyard widely accessible