Domaine de l’Arlot is one of the seminal properties in Nuits St. Georges.  Domaine de l'Arlot was created by Jean-Pierre De Smet as recently as 1987, with financing from the insurance company AXA. Jean-Pierre spent eight years alongside Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac before taking over L’Arlot in 1986.  Today, the domaine consists of 14 hectares planted to mostly Pinot Noir, with 5% devoted to Chardonnay for their ultra-rare white wines. The oldest vines are 70+ years old, with an average age close to 50. 

Jean-Pierre was a disciple of Jacques Seysses at Domaine Dujac and he made wines at Domaine de l'Arlot in a similar vein. In fact, for a number of years, both estates shared the same source of oak and jointly seasoned it before having a cooper make into barrels for them. De Smet retired in 2007, but the wines continue to be made in the same careful, long-lived manner overseen by the talented and passionate managing director Christian Seely.

In 2015 the very talented Geraldine Godot took over the domaine. While retaining the core values of L’Arlot, including biodynamic farming, Geraldine has brought her own style to this historic estate, with extraction kept to a minimum, and the wines seeing less new oak than in the past. All of this is done to preserve the gorgeous fruit from their cherished vineyards. With Geraldine’s inspired leadership, Domaine de l’Arlot is committed to maintaining their classic, elegant style of terroir-driven wines in hopes of providing the sort of divine pleasure only classic Burgundy delivers.

 

La Gerbotte Nuits-Saint-Georges Blanc 2017 $69.99

One seldomly encountered treat that Domaine de l'Arlot specializes in producing is a white Nuits-Saint-Georges, made from an equally unusual blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Beurot (the local name for Pinot Gris). Although quite rare, this is a wine not to be missed when the opportunity arises!

 

Clos du Chapeau Côtes du Nuits-Villages 2018 $54.99

Cote du Nuits-Villages is an appellation that we are starting to see more and more. In the right hands, the appellation can produce absolutely delicious wines at a much more reasonable price than much of what Burgundy has to offer today. A handful of villages throughout the Côte de Nuits are captured under the umbrella of the appellation, but, from the best producers, they are almost always single-vineyard wines. Located in the village of Comblanchien (a stone's throw from Nuits-Saint-Georges), this 1.6 hectare plot is hat-shaped, which is where its name comes from.

 

Mont des Oiseaux Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru 2018 $104.99

Mont des Oiseaux is a cuvée of the young vines of the cornerstone of their estate: Clos des l'Arlot. These two plots are located on the upper and lower portions of the vineyard, planted on limestone and marl, respectively. The nose is fragrant with notes of black cherry, blackcurrant, and violet. Subtle and delicate on the palate with acidulous notes of redcurrant, and a slightly peppery finish. The delicacy and elegance of this wine hint at a great aging potential.

 

Suchots Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru 2018 $184.99

Located in one of the greatest neighborhoods in Burgundy this vineyard is nestled between the Grand Cru vineyards of  Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Echézeaux, and Richebourg. A number of respected experts consider Les Suchots to be among the very finest 1st Crus from Vosne Romanée. An iron hand in a velvet glove, it describes the fullness of the Pinot Noir with exceptional distinction, expressing a taut nervosity before resonating with richness and elegance.