Petits Cazetiers
puh-TEE kaz-TYAY
A compact Premier Cru in Gevrey-Chambertin, nestled in the Combe de Lavaut cluster alongside its more famous neighbor Les Cazetiers.
Petits Cazetiers is a Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru vineyard sitting at 300-370 meters on southeast-facing slopes in the Côte de Nuits. The site borders Les Cazetiers, Combe au Moine, and Clos Saint-Jacques, sharing the cool microclimate of the Combe de Lavaut. Soils combine heavy clay with gravel and white marl at upper elevations over limestone bedrock.
- Classification: Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
- Elevation: 300 to 370 meters above sea level
- Aspect: Southeast-facing slopes
- Sole grape variety: Pinot Noir
- Soils: Heavy clay with gravels, cobbles, boulders, and white marl (terres blanches) at upper elevation over limestone substrata
- Neighboring vineyards: Les Cazetiers, Combe au Moine, and Clos Saint-Jacques
- Name derived from 'Castel' (castle position) or 'cassis' (wild currant bushes)
Location and Setting
Petits Cazetiers sits in the northwestern cluster of Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru vineyards, grouped around the Combe de Lavaut. The vineyard is positioned adjacent to Les Cazetiers and shares borders with Combe au Moine and Clos Saint-Jacques. Its southeast-facing slopes rise from 300 to 370 meters, placing it firmly in the elevated band of Premier Cru land northwest of the village. The Combe de Lavaut channels cool air across the site, tempering the continental climate and slowing ripening relative to lower-lying vineyards on the Côte.
- Southeast-facing aspect captures morning sun while benefiting from afternoon shade
- Cool air drainage from the Combe de Lavaut moderates temperatures throughout the growing season
- Positioned in the Premier Cru northwest cluster, away from the Grand Cru belt to the south
Soils and Wine Character
The soils at Petits Cazetiers are dominated by heavy clay mixed with gravels, cobbles, and boulders, transitioning to white marl (terres blanches) at the upper elevations. Limestone underlies the entire site. This combination of clay and marl over limestone is characteristic of the Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru band and contributes to wines with robust structure, firm tannins, and concentrated fruit. The style produced here is described as rich and structured, consistent with the broader reputation of Gevrey-Chambertin for powerful, age-worthy Pinot Noir.
- Heavy clay base provides water retention and contributes to tannic structure
- White marl (terres blanches) at upper elevations adds mineral complexity
- Limestone substrata is a unifying feature across Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru sites
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Open Wine Lookup →Robust and structured Pinot Noir with firm tannins, rich dark fruit character, and mineral underpinning from clay, marl, and limestone soils. The cool Combe de Lavaut microclimate preserves freshness and acidity alongside the concentration typical of Gevrey-Chambertin.
- Domaine Dominique Gallois Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Les Petits Cazetiers$80-120The sole notable producer identified for this small, seldom-seen Premier Cru site in Gevrey-Chambertin.Find →
- Petits Cazetiers is a Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru in the Combe de Lavaut cluster, northwest of the village
- Elevation range is 300 to 370 meters with a southeast-facing aspect
- Soils are heavy clay with gravel and white marl (terres blanches) over limestone, typical of upper Gevrey Premier Cru sites
- The site borders Les Cazetiers, Combe au Moine, and Clos Saint-Jacques
- Only Pinot Noir is grown; wine style is robust and structured with firm tannins