Confuron-Gindre Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru "Les Chaumes" 2022

92-94 JM

Notes:

Planted in 1919 and 1920. A bright mid purple lightly reductive, but with greater intensity of clean bright fruit on the palate. Lively dense cherry and raspberry, fine concentration, showing clearly more interesting than Brûlées today. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Nov 2023. - Jasper Morris 92-94

Domaine Confuron-Gindre is a sixth-generation family estate based in the heart of Vosne-Romanée, farming approximately 11 hectares across some of the Côte de Nuits' most prestigious terroirs. The family's philosophy centers on traditional viticulture and minimal intervention, with an emphasis on allowing each vineyard to express its unique identity. Wines are aged for approximately 18 months in barrel and bottled at the estate, a practice that has helped establish Confuron-Gindre as one of the most respected under-the-radar producers in Vosne-Romanée.
Les Chaumes occupies a privileged position just below the famed Premier Cru Malconsorts and only a short distance from the legendary Grand Crus of Vosne-Romanée. The vineyard is characterized by shallow clay-limestone soils where the bedrock can lie as little as 20 centimeters beneath the surface. This forces the vines to root deeply into fractured limestone, naturally restricting vigor and producing grapes of exceptional concentration, finesse, and aromatic complexity.
Some of the vines in Confuron-Gindre's parcel of Les Chaumes were planted in 1919 and 1920, making them among the oldest vines in the domaine. These centenarian vines produce extremely low yields and tiny berries through a phenomenon known as millerandage, resulting in wines of remarkable depth, concentration, and intensity while maintaining the elegance that defines great Vosne-Romanée.
The 2022 vintage is particularly successful in Vosne-Romanée. A warm, sunny growing season delivered excellent ripeness, yet the best sites retained freshness and balance. In Les Chaumes, the combination of old vines and limestone-rich soils produced a wine that marries generous fruit with energy and structure, offering both immediate appeal and long-term aging potential.
Winemaking remains firmly rooted in Burgundian tradition. Fermentation is designed to preserve the purity of Pinot Noir and the character of the vineyard, followed by approximately 18 months of élevage in French oak barrels, with about 40% new oak. The oak is carefully integrated, providing texture and structure without overshadowing the wine's terroir-driven personality.
Aromatically, the 2022 Les Chaumes is classic Vosne-Romanée, displaying layers of black cherry, blackcurrant, violet, rose petal, and exotic spice. Subtle notes of sandalwood, forest floor, and crushed stone emerge with aeration, while the palate combines silky tannins with remarkable precision and length. The hallmark of the wine is its ability to balance richness and sensuality with freshness and mineral tension.
Les Chaumes is often considered one of the best-value Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanée because of its proximity to Malconsorts and the Grand Cru slope. While neighboring vineyards command significantly higher prices, Les Chaumes frequently delivers a similar combination of perfume, texture, and complexity, making it a favorite among Burgundy collectors seeking outstanding terroir without Grand Cru pricing.
Although already approachable thanks to the generosity of the 2022 vintage, this wine possesses the structure and concentration to evolve gracefully over the next decade or more. With time, the youthful fruit will give way to the savory, earthy, and spice-driven nuances that make mature Vosne-Romanée one of the most sought-after expressions of Pinot Noir in the wo