Les Perrières

Les Perrières lies within the appellation of Nuits-Saint-Georges in the Côte de Nuits, Burgundy. The majority of the 2.5-hectare vineyard carries Premier Cru status under the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation, with a small section classified at village level. The southeast-facing slope sits at 260-275 metres elevation, placing it in the middle band of the hillside where Burgundy's most expressive Premier Crus are typically found.

• Parent appellation: Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru
• Total area: 2.5 hectares (6.1 acres)
• Aspect: Southeast facing at 260-275 metres
• A small portion of the lieu-dit carries village-level rather than Premier Cru status

The defining characteristic of Les Perrières is its geology. Soils are shallow and stony with a clay component overlying white marble limestone bedrock, the same type of underground limestone that gave the vineyard its name. This thin soil profile forces vine roots deep into fractured rock, intensifying mineral expression in the finished wine. The semi-continental climate of the Côte de Nuits brings warm summers and cold winters, with the southeast aspect capturing morning sun and providing good natural drainage across the rocky terrain.

• Shallow clay soils over white marble limestone
• Rocky, stony profile encourages deep root penetration
• Limestone bedrock directly linked to mineral aromatic character
• Semi-continental climate with southeast exposure for reliable ripening

The name Les Perrières comes directly from the French word 'pierre,' meaning stone. Across Burgundy, any lieu-dit bearing this name signals the presence of a limestone quarry, historically used or active, on or near the site. At Les Perrières in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the reference is to a nearby underground limestone quarry. This naming tradition is a reliable guide to soil type, and in this case the geology is precisely what shapes the wine's mineral signature. The practice of naming vineyards after physical features of the land reflects the long-standing Burgundian attention to site-specific character.

• 'Perrières' derives from 'pierre' (French for stone)
• Name references a nearby underground limestone quarry
• Alternate name 'La Perrière' (singular) is also used
• Similar quarry-named vineyards appear in Meursault and other Burgundy appellations

Les Perrières produces structured red wines from Pinot Noir with a distinct mineral intensity that sets them apart from the more overtly muscular wines found elsewhere in Nuits-Saint-Georges. Dark fruit aromas, firm tannins, and good freshness define the profile. The shallow limestone soils keep yields moderate and concentrate flavor while preserving acidity. Pinot Blanc is also grown here, though red wine production dominates. These are wines built for medium to long-term aging, with the limestone-driven minerality adding a backbone that supports the fruit over time.

A strong roster of producers works parcels within Les Perrières. Domaine Robert Chevillon is among the most respected names in Nuits-Saint-Georges and produces a benchmark example. Domaine Henri Gouges, historically significant for its work in preserving Pinot Noir selections, also holds land here. Méo-Camuzet Frère et Soeurs brings its characteristic precision to the cuvée, while Forey Père et Fils, Domaine Jean Chauvenet, and Domaine François Legros each contribute their own interpretations of the site's mineral character.

• Domaine Robert Chevillon: benchmark Nuits-Saint-Georges producer
• Domaine Henri Gouges: historic domaine, significant for Pinot Noir preservation
• Méo-Camuzet Frère et Soeurs: precision-focused négociant and domaine
• Forey Père et Fils, Jean Chauvenet, and François Legros also produce from this site