Chandon de Briailles Savigny-lès-Beaune "Aux Fourneaux," 1er Cru '22

Domaine Chandon de Briailles is a historic, family-run estate in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, founded in 1834 and still stewarded by the de Nicolay family. With roughly 14 hectares spread across Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses, and the grand cru slopes of Corton, the domaine is known for its classical terroirs of limestone and marl and its steadfast commitment to biodynamic viticulture—banning synthetic treatments as early as 1989 and earning Demeter certification by 2011. Today François and Claude de Nicolay guide an approach that emphasizes natural wine making. In the vineyard, ploughing is done by horses, treatments are kept to a minimum, and soil is worked by hand. In the winery, they employ
whole-cluster fermentations, minimal new oak, and even make their own sulphur dioxide, which is used sparingly. The results are wines of incredible purity, finesse, and clear expression of place. As a long time fan of these wines, I can say clearly that the 2022 vintage is probably the best vintage I’ve ever tasted from the Domaine. 

Located in the northern Côte de Beaune just above the village of Savigny-lès-Beaune, the Aux Fournaux climat constitutes a highly distinctive parcel of land. The name “Fournaux” (“furnaces” or “kilns”) originates from the historical remains of coal-fired furnaces found along the road linking Pernand-Vergelesses to Beaune.

The site itself is composed of multiple parcels: one at the base of the hillside in the village appellation, and, crucially for the Premier Cru designation, a steeper section higher up the slope. At the higher level, vines were planted in years including 1956 and 2015, on about 1.31 ha in one example.

The exposure is favourable (south-west to south) and sits just at the junction of Savigny-lès-Beaune and the neighbouring terroir of Pernand‑Vergelesses (and near Aloxe‑Corton), blending influences of racy fruit and rock-inflected tannins. The soils are primarily marl and limestone (from the Bathonian age in the case of certain producers’ exposition of the climat) mixed with some red-hued clay and sharp stones, offering a combination of drainage, minerality and depth.