Domaine Gérard Peirazeau et Fils

When we tasted a bottle of Bourgogne rouge from Gerard Peirazeau & Fils, we were so impressed that we immediately decided to visit them in Burgundy. After a warm welcome, we tasted such beautiful wines in their cellar that we did not hesitate for a moment to add these wines to our assortment.

From the famous village of Morey-Saint-Denis, the estate Gerard Peirazeau & Fils is managed by Laurent Peirazeau and his partner Sophie Charlopin (from the family that runs Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot). Peirazeau has roots in several highly renowned wine families and possesses all the ingredients to become a sought-after and popular wine producer. Although they only recently started selling internationally, the estate has a long and rich history.

The vineyards were originally established by Jules Groffier (1898-1974) and were part of the Groffier family estate. The vineyards were later divided among Jules' children, Robert and Bernadette Groffier. Robert, who was already working on the family estate, began bottling his own wine under the name Domaine Robert Groffier Père & Fils.

Bernadette married Mr. Peirazeau, which led to the creation of Domaine Bernadette Peirazeau-Groffier. While most of the grapes were sold to prestigious négociants, a small portion was also sold directly under the label Bernadette Peirazeau-Groffier. Their son Gerard gradually took over the family business and followed a similar strategy. He sold the majority of the grapes to négociants and a smaller portion directly to private customers under the name Gerard Peirazeau & Fils.

Laurent, Gerard's son, started working on the family estate at a young age and gradually took on more responsibility from the age of 30. Although his parents are still involved, the estate is now managed by Laurent and his partner Sophie. Since 2019, Laurent has decided to bottle more wine under the name Gerard Peirazeau & Fils and sell less to négociants. By focusing on international markets, 70% of their wine is now bottled under their own label, with 30% intended for the French market.

The estate comprises 13 different appellations, covering a total of 3.65 hectares. All vineyards are cultivated by Laurent himself. Despite the limited vineyard area, Domaine Gerard Peirazeau owns no fewer than five prestigious Grand Crus. Their selection includes Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Charmes Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Clos Saint-Denis, and Bonnes Mares. Additionally, they own vines in Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses, a Premier Cru that many consider almost a Grand Cru. With an annual production of only 15,000 bottles, the focus is on quality.

In the vineyards, Laurent works as organically as possible, respecting the terroir and the vines. He avoids pesticides and plows a maximum of three times per year. He also pays close attention to pruning the vines and tries to extend their lifespan as much as possible. As a result, the estate has many old vines, such as those in the Hauts-Doix vineyard (next to Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses), with an average age of 60 years. Although older vines produce lower yields, they generate more concentrated fruit of higher quality.

In the cellar, minimal intervention is practiced. The grapes are fully destemmed and then undergo maceration for two to four weeks in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation relies exclusively on natural yeasts. The wine then matures for about 18 months in French oak barrels, of which approximately 30% are new.

The result is stunning Burgundies that reflect the class of the Côte de Nuits. Wines full of red fruit, velvety yet powerful, with a perfect balance between acidity and tannins. These are world-class wines that we are sure to hear much more about in the coming years.