Domaine Philippe Girard’s Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru Les Chatelots represents the estate’s most delicate and aromatically precise expression, produced from one of the village’s Premier Cru vineyards whose clay-limestone soils and east-facing slope produce Pinot Noir of the characteristic Chambolle style: pale in colour, intensely perfumed, with silk-fine tannins and an almost translucent mineral quality that distinguishes the finest Chambolle-Musigny from every other village on the Côte de Nuits. Les Chatelots is situated on the northern side of the Chambolle appellation, and its wines share some of the aromatic quality that characterises the more celebrated neighbouring sites of Bonnes Mares and Les Amoureuses while remaining accessible in price relative to those Grand and Premier Cru reference points.

The 2023 Burgundy vintage is the most recent available from Domaine Philippe Girard and one of the more interesting recent vintages in terms of style: a warm, early harvest produced wines of excellent aromatic intensity and supple tannin structure with good drinking appeal from a relatively early age, particularly in Chambolle-Musigny where the village’s naturally light, perfumed style is complemented rather than challenged by the vintage’s generous warmth. For a wine of Les Chatelots’ inherent delicacy and floral character, the 2023’s aromatic openness should produce a wine of significant early appeal as well as sufficient structure for medium-term development in the cellar.

Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru from a small independent family estate occupies one of the most compelling positions in the market for serious red Burgundy: a wine of the village’s legendary aromatic character and terroir specificity, produced in small quantities by a committed producer, at a price point that reflects the domaine’s smaller profile rather than the inflated valuations of the appellation’s most marketed names. For collectors who wish to drink fine Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru with some regularity, or to compare different expressions of the village’s character from independent small estates, this is an excellent and honest proposition.

Pale ruby with a delicately perfumed nose of red cherry, violet, rose petal, light spice and a fine mineral thread from the Les Chatelots limestone. Light to medium-bodied with exceptionally silky tannins, bright natural acidity and a long, floral, mineral finish of genuine Chambolle elegance. Drink from 2026 through 2038.