Beaune Premier Cru Sur les Grèves - Clos Sainte-Anne

Sur les Grèves Clos Sainte-Anne sits within the larger Sur les Grèves Premier Cru climat in the Beaune appellation, on the Côte de Beaune. At just 0.35 hectares, it ranks among the smallest classified vineyard parcels in the entire Beaune appellation. The vineyard faces east at elevations between 225 and 300 meters, a position that captures morning sun while moderating afternoon heat. The soils combine calcaire (limestone) and marnes (marl), the classic Burgundian profile that promotes both drainage and mineral complexity in the finished wine.

• Located within the Sur les Grèves Premier Cru climat, Beaune
• East-facing slope at 225 to 300 meters elevation
• Limestone and marl soils typical of the Côte de Beaune
• Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters

The clos carries one of the more evocative histories in Beaune. In the 17th century, the walled vineyard belonged to an order of nuns associated with the Hôpital de la Charité, placing it squarely within Burgundy's long tradition of ecclesiastical vineyard stewardship. The name Sainte-Anne honors Saint Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, reflecting the religious identity of its original custodians. The term clos itself signals a feudal past; walled vineyards in Burgundy typically indicate former seigneurial or monastic ownership, and the physical enclosure once served both practical and symbolic purposes. The vineyard received its official Premier Cru classification in 1972.

• Owned by nuns of the Hôpital de la Charité in the 17th century
• Name derives from Saint Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary
• Walled clos designation reflects feudal and ecclesiastical origins
• Received Premier Cru status in 1972

Maison Jaffelin holds the monopole on Sur les Grèves Clos Sainte-Anne, meaning the entire 0.35-hectare parcel is vinified and bottled under a single producer. Monopoles in Burgundy are relatively rare and lend a distinctive consistency to the wine's style from vintage to vintage. The permitted grape varieties for Beaune Premier Cru include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris, though the dominant style here is the elegant red wine profile associated with Pinot Noir on these limestone-rich soils.

The wines from Clos Sainte-Anne reflect the lighter, more delicate expression typical of east-facing Beaune Premier Cru parcels on limestone and marl. Expect red fruit aromatics, notably cherry and raspberry, alongside floral notes and a characteristic mineral finish. The combination of well-drained soils and moderate elevation produces wines with freshness and finesse rather than the weight of deeper Côte de Nuits reds. These are wines built for medium-term cellaring rather than decades of aging, offering approachability within five to ten years of the vintage while retaining sufficient structure for further development.