Dominique Laurent
Maison Dominique Laurent is one of those domain names in Burgundy built around a person rather than a vineyards. That word maison matters: in Burgundy it generally signals a house working with bought-in grapes or wine alongside anything it farms itself.
The base of Dominique Laurent is the Côte de Nuits, the northern half of the Côte d'Or, and everything bottled here is Pinot Noir. Labels carry the appellation, the cuvée and the vintage as usual. The domaine produces a lot of Grand Cru wine, amongst others: Clos Vougeot, Mazis Chambertin, Bonnes Mares, Chambertin Clos de Beze, Charmes Chambertin, Clos de la Roche and Latricières-Chambertin. But Dominique Laurent also bottles village-level wines, sometimes Vieilles Vignes (old vines)
The grape
There is no need for a description of the blend or a list of proportions as Pinot Noir is the only single-varietal red wine.
When old vines are significant, this is specified on the label. Since Vieilles Vignes is not a legally defined term in France, it can be interpreted as the winery defines it; however, it generally indicates that the grapes were harvested from old vines rather than young ones.
The wines
Dominique Laurent produces village wines, premier cru wines and grand cru wines from the most renowned vineyards.
The grand cru line up is:
- Clos Vougeot
- Mazis Chambertin
- Bonnes Mares
- Chambertin Clos de Beze
- Charmes Chambertin
- Clos de la Roche
- Latricières-Chambertin
- Le Musigny
- Echezeaux
- Grands Echezeaux
- Chambertin
- Romanee St Vivant
The premier cru line up is, amongst others:
- Vosne Romanee les Suchots
- Vosne Romanee les Reignots VV
- Vosne Romanee les Beaumonts VV
It also offers village wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges, Gevery Chambertin and Chambolle Musisny, including the numbered Vieilles Vignes bottling. This is a common practice used to distinguish between different lots when multiple wines share the same appellation.
The label design is intentionally understated. Appellation, cuvée, vintage, that's about it. As a result, the focus shifts from what's printed on the label to the wine itself in the glass.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dominique Laurent a domaine or a maison?
Wines are labelled Maison Dominique Laurent. In Burgundy that wording generally indicates a house not limited to its own vineyard holdings.
Where in Burgundy is the house based?
In the Côte de Nuits, the northern half of the Côte d'Or, which is the source of most of Burgundy's famous reds.
What does the number on the Vieilles Vignes bottling mean?
It distinguishes one bottling from another within the same appellation. Vieilles Vignes itself refers to old vines.
Which appellations does the house bottle?
Clos Vougeot and Latricières-Chambertin at grand cru level, plus Nuits-Saint-Georges, all of them red and all from the Côte de Nuits.
