Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux – Nuits-Saint-Georges 2016 – Burgundy France

Nuits-Saint-Georges from Arnoux-Lachaux in 2016, the first vintage where Charles Lachaux had full command of both the vineyards and the cellar. Nuits is the firmer, more savoury neighbour to Vosne — and his lighter touch suits it unusually well.

🍷 At a Glance

• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Nuits-Saint-Georges
• Region: Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
• Vintage: 2016
• Producer: Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux
• Winemaker: Charles Lachaux
• Vines: The domaine's Nuits holdings range from village parcels to the premier crus Les Procès and Clos des Corvées Pagets, the latter planted in 1921
• Vinification: Natural fermentation with increasing whole cluster, reduced extraction, 14 months in barrel with a restrained proportion of new oak; unfined and unfiltered
• Serving temperature: 15–17°C
• Style: Dry red wine

👃 Tasting Notes & Experience

• Color: Medium ruby
• Nose: Dark red fruit with the savoury, earthy signature of Nuits
• Palate: Airy and refined for the appellation, without losing its grip
• Structure: Firm but finely drawn tannins
• Finish: Long and savoury

2016 was a brutal growing year across Burgundy — April frost devastated large parts of the Côte — and the survivors are famously concentrated and fine. It also happens to be the first vintage made entirely under Charles Lachaux's direction, after he took charge of vineyards and cellar in 2015. His methods run against convention: vines left untrimmed and only cut back very late, no tilling or mowing between rows, more whole bunches in the vat and steadily less new wood. Nuits-Saint-Georges, normally the sturdiest wine in a Côte de Nuits range, comes out lifted rather than heavy.

❤️ Why We Love It

• An early full-control vintage from one of Burgundy's most talked-about young growers
• A frost-marked year that produced concentrated, serious wines
• Two bottles only

🍽️ Food Pairing Ideas

• Roast game birds and duck
• Beef in red wine sauce
• Mature hard cheeses

👤 Who This Wine Is For

✓ Followers of the new wave of low-intervention Burgundy
✓ Drinkers who want Nuits with lift rather than muscle
✕ Not ideal if you prefer big, extracted, oaky Pinot