Les Vallerots

Les Vallerots sits within the Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru appellation on the Côte de Nuits, one of Burgundy's most prestigious vineyard corridors. The Premier Cru portion of the vineyard covers a very modest 0.8 hectares, making it one of the smaller classified sites in the commune. Its east-facing orientation captures morning sun, a characteristic shared by many of the Côte de Nuits' most celebrated parcels. The site is also known simply as Vallerots, and all wines produced here carry the Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru designation.

• Appellation: Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru (AOC/AOP)
• Commune: Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte de Nuits
• Premier Cru area: 0.8 hectares (2 acres)
• East-facing exposure

The defining physical characteristic of Les Vallerots is its extreme gradient. Slopes exceed 30%, which places this vineyard among the most demanding to work in the entire Côte de Nuits. Manual labor is not a stylistic choice here but a practical necessity, as mechanized equipment cannot safely navigate the incline. Beneath the vines lie oolitic soils, a limestone-based substrate composed of tiny spherical grains. Oolitic soils drain well and warm efficiently, contributing to the structured, mineral-driven character that distinguishes Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Crus from their neighbors to the north in the Côte de Nuits.

• Soil type: Oolitic limestone
• Slope gradient exceeds 30%
• Fully hand-tended due to steep terrain
• Good drainage supports vine stress and concentration

Les Vallerots was once considered a challenging and neglected site, its steep terrain discouraging consistent, quality-focused cultivation. Over time, the vineyard's combination of oolitic soils, elevation, and manual viticulture has drawn greater attention from serious producers. Today it is recognized as a genuine treasure within the Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru hierarchy. The effort required to farm the site is reflected in the wines, which tend to show the concentration and structural integrity that come from low-yielding, carefully tended vines on demanding terrain.

Les Vallerots produces red wine exclusively from Pinot Noir, as is standard across the Côte de Nuits. The wines are full-bodied by Burgundian standards, with structured tannins that reflect both the oolitic soil composition and the site's continental climate. The east-facing slope allows for steady, measured ripening rather than the intense heat accumulation of a south-facing site, preserving freshness and aromatic complexity alongside the natural grip of the terroir. Expect dark fruit, earthy minerality, and firm but integrated tannins in a well-made example from this vineyard.

• Grape variety: Pinot Noir only
• Style: Full-bodied red with structured tannins
• Climate: Continental, with measured diurnal variation
• Character: Dark fruit, mineral notes, firm structure

Given the small size of Les Vallerots, only a handful of producers work with fruit from this site. Domaine Chantal Lescure and Domaine Moillard-Grivot are among the recognized names with holdings or sourcing here. Pierre André and Domaine du Clos des Poulettes also produce wine under this Premier Cru label. Each producer brings a distinct approach to the shared terroir, but the underlying character of the vineyard remains consistent across the range: structured, mineral-forward Pinot Noir with genuine aging potential.

• Domaine Chantal Lescure
• Domaine Moillard-Grivot
• Pierre André
• Domaine du Clos des Poulettes