Beaune
Overview
Beaune is the capital of Burgundy wine and the commercial heart of the Côte de Beaune. The commune has more premier crus (42) than any other in Burgundy, though it lacks grand crus. Historically undervalued relative to its neighbors, Beaune premier crus offer some of the best value in the Côte d’Or. Both red (Pinot Noir) and white (Chardonnay) wines are produced, though reds dominate. The town is also home to many of Burgundy’s great négociant houses.
Key Producers
- Domaine des Croix — Beaune specialist; Grèves, Bressandes, Pertuisots, Tuvilains, Cent Vignes
- Domaine Albert Morot — iconic 8 ha Beaune domaine; Teurons, Bressandes, Grèves
- Maison Joseph Drouhin — major négociant; Clos des Mouches
- Bouchard Père et Fils — major négociant with extensive Beaune holdings
- Maison Louis Jadot — major négociant house
- William Kelley — Chouacheux premier cru (93 pts VFTC 2022)
- Domaine de Montille — Grèves, Sizies, Perrieres
- Domaine Rapet — Cents Vignes, Grèves, Bressandes, Clos du Roi
- Domaine Michel Lafarge — Grèves (93+ VFTC), Clos des Aigrots Blanc (93+)
- Domaine Clos de la Chapelle — Champs Pimont, Teurons, Reversées (blanc)
- Domaine Pierrick Bouley — Montrevenots, Clos du Bas de Teurons
- Domaine Pavelot — Bressandes (leased)
- Domaine Georges Noëllat — Tuvilains, Clos la Mignotte
- Maison Lucien Le Moine — Bressandes
- Domaine Joseph Voillot — Coucherias
Premier Crus (highlights)
- Bressandes — one of the most respected; produced by des Croix, Albert Morot, Rapet, Pavelot, Lucien Le Moine
- Grèves — powerful, age-worthy; des Croix’s star wine; Lafarge scored 93+ in 2024 VFTC
- Teurons — Albert Morot benchmark; (90-93) in 2024; also Clos de la Chapelle
- Clos des Mouches — Drouhin monopole; famous for both red and white
- Marconnets — mineral, chalky; Albert Morot
- Chouacheux — William Kelley scored 93 VFTC 2022; “truly exceptional young Beaune premier cru”
- Pertuisots — des Croix; compact, powerful
- Tuvilains — des Croix (80+ year old vines); Georges Noëllat
- Cent Vignes — des Croix, Rapet
- Montrevenots — Pierrick Bouley
- Aigrots — Albert Morot; Lafarge produces Clos des Aigrots Blanc
Grape Varieties
- Pinot Noir — majority of production; the great premier crus are red
- Chardonnay — white Beaune is rarer but notable (Clos des Mouches blanc, Lafarge Clos des Aigrots blanc, Clos de la Chapelle Reversées)
Style Notes
Beaune reds tend to be medium-bodied with good structure, red and black fruit, and approachable tannins compared to the more muscular Pommard or the more austere wines of the Côte de Nuits. The best premier crus (Grèves, Bressandes, Teurons) combine elegance with surprising depth and age well for 15-30 years. The town’s position at the center of the Côte de Beaune gives it diverse terroirs and a wide range of expressions across its 42 premier crus. Many négociant houses are headquartered here, making Beaune both a production center and the commercial hub of Burgundy.