Vineyards in Burgundy are more expensive than ever. In the past, common practice was for young winemakers to acquire vineyards to start their own venture. Today, they buy grapes from growers they trust, avoiding the debt they would otherwise accrue. This is how many of the most motivated and passionate producers start. Indeed, it was this path that Lalou Bize-Leroy followed before acquiring her first plots from the Charles Noellat holding.

Charles has not started from scratch, far from it. Through his extensive network of Burgundy’s finest growers, Charles sources the very best grapes. His intimate knowledge of the region enables him to select vineyards in the best locations. In a sense it is ideal to produce wines of the highest quality.  It is through his experience at Domaine Hudelot-Noellat and the profile he has acquired within the community that Charles has opened the right doors to source these grapes.

Once Charles has established such a relationship, he submits his specifications and follows the growth of the grapes through to harvest while the grower helps realise his vision in the vineyard. The grower then presses the white grapes or operates the maceration and vatting period of the red grapes. Charles then collects the must, or the wine, to mature it in his own cellar. This most vital part of the process is handled personally by Charles to ensure the pure and terroir-transparent style associated with Hudelot-Noellat.

The wines are matured in French oak barrels with about 15% new oak used for the premier crus, bringing a soft oak input and championing the terroir. Only two barrels are made of each premier crus per year with more Bourgogne Pinot Noir and Chardonnay produced. As for the grand crus, it’s also one to two barrels of production. Even though the range can vary slightly each vintage, the following remarkable crus are available:

- Gevrey-Chambertin Village

- Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru “Les Fontenys”

- Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru “Les Cazetiers”

- Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “Les Cherbaudes”

- Nuits-St-Georges 1er cru “La Richemone”

- Corton “Les Renardes” Grand Cru

- Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

- Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru

- Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

Domaine Hudelot-Noellat has a cult following globally and having the opportunity to source a little bit more wine made by the family, it’s only great news for us.

Clos Cachet is honoured to exclusively import Charles Van Canneyt’s wines into Australia. They represent the highest level of quality Burgundy has to offer.

* Terroir is the specific combination of location, vineyard, climate and people that create a wine. Accordingly, different terroirs produce different wines.

Gevrey-Chambertin - Puligny-Montrachet - Aloxe-Corton - Nuits-St-Georges - Morey-St-Denis

View the location of Charles van Canneyt's vines on the PDF below.