Nuits Saint George 1er Cru Proces

Previously Domaine Robert Arnoux, the estate was founded in 1858. Today, it is run by Charles Lachaux, representing the family's sixth generation. Despite, or perhaps because of, his youth, Charles is crystal-clear in his aspirations and objectives. The vineyard is virtually everything here, complemented in the cellar by restrained oak use and some whole cluster fermentation.

Charles makes no secret of being a disciple of Lalou Bize-Leroy, leaving the vines' shoots to grow longer than usual, in tune with their natural vigour. “We don’t want to be traditional; we don’t want to be modern.” The estate is 14.5 hectares, all planted to Pinot Noir, spread over six villages and 15 terroirs. These comprise four grands crus, five premiers crus, five villages and a regional level wine, the excellent ‘Pinot Fin’.
Les Procès is a very small 1er cru that sits south of the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges, next to Pruliers. The Lachaux's 0.7 hectare accounts for a large chunk of this tiny vineyard, with Maison Joseph Drouhin owning almost all of the remaining acreage. This example comes from vines more than 50 years old. 40% whole bunch, 50% new oak. Deep and more structured than the wines so far and with a darker fruit spectrum, superb complexity, powdery tannins and length.