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Les Amoureuses is a small 5.42-hectare Premier Cru climat located in the commune and appellation of Chambolle-Musigny.  By nearly every criterion, including critical acclaim and price,  Les Amoureuses is a Grand Cru  in all but formal declaration. The vineyard, comprised of two parcels, is situated immediately to the east and downslope of Les Grands Musigny, with very similar soil and exposition. The vineyard faces east, southeast from a steep slope varying between 240 and 280 meters. The soil is a mixture of sand and gravel with a bit of red clay. The thin soil sits directly over Bathonian limestone cliffs, faults in which allow the vine roots to reach down through 10 meters of oolitic minerality.

The vineyard name may come from its putuative capacity of the wines to induce one to fall in love, although a more prosaic explanation relates to the finely perfumed aromas of the wine. It is no surprise, in either event, that the wines of Les Amoureuses are intensely seductive and beguiling with real finesse.

The largest single owner of Les Amoureuses is Robert Groffier, although his wines tend to underperform in comparison with those of Domaines Comte Georges de Vogüé, Georges Roumier and J-F. Mugnier.

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Les Bressandes is a large 16.97-hectare Premier Cru climat within the Beaune appellation in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune.  The vineyard is  located downhill from Les Mondes Rondes, in the prime portion of the northern sector where Dr. Lavalle designated the other “Têtes de Cuvées. ” At the top of the band of Premier Cru climats, Les Bressandes lies south of Les Marconnets.  The name seems to derive from the onetime ownership of three women from the city of Bresse. Bressandes is generally considered among the top five or six finest Premiers Crus of Beaune. The vineyard faces east and lies on a steep slope, ranging from 240 to 320 meters, with sandy brown limestone soil.  Les Bressandes is considered among the finest vineyards in Beaune and produces round and rich wines of considerable elegance.

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Les  Aigros is a large 18.64 hectare Premier Cru climat within the Beaune appellation in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune.  The vineyard is located in the southern sector of the appellation near the Pommard border,  downhill from the Montaigne Saint-Désiré just uphill from the Premier Cru vineyard Les Sizies. Les Aigros is quite steep, rising from 250 meters to over 310 meters at its top. Facing due east from the slope, with rocky limestone soil rich in clay, the grapes reliably reach full ripeness and produce round and rich wine. Fine examples from this vineyard come from Domaine Lafarge and Domaine de Montille.  

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Les Perrières is a small 3.20 (  only 2.98  cultivated)  hectare Premier Cru climat within the Beaune appellation in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune.  The vineyard is situated in the northernmost sector of the appellation, uphill and to the west of the Premier Cru Les Marconnets, and somewhat downhill and to the east of the Premier Cru Les Bressandes. The name of the vineyard may indicate that an ancient quarry was located there. Facing southeast from a steep slope varying between 250 and 300 meters, the rocky soil is a mixture of clay and limestone.

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Les Grêves  is a large Premier Cru climat within the Beaune appellation in Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune.  At 31.33 hectares, it is, in fact, the largest Premier Cru in the appellation, and most certainly among the finest.  Named by Dr. Lavalle (History and Statistics of the Cote d’Or)  in 1855 as a “Tête de Cuvée”, Clive Coates writes that the vineyard produces “Beaune at its most elegant, fullish but properly round, rich and balanced, with plenty of depth.”  The vineyard name derives from the observed presence of gravel in the soil. Les Grêves  is bordered on the south by Sur-les- Grèves and Les Teurons and, on the north, by Les Bressandes and Les Toussaints. Facing east from an elevation varying between 230 and 300 meters, the soil is generally light with a sand and gravel mix,  with a somewhat higher proportions of clay uphill.

A parcel of Les Grêves enjoys the lieu-dit La Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus. This parcel belonged to the Carmelite order in the 17th century, when a nun predicted the birth of the future Louis XIV even though his mother, Anne of Austria (who was actually Spanish) was believed sterile.  At 37 years of age, Anne’s pregnancy was considered “a marvel.” La Vigne de l’Enfant Jésus belongs today to Bouchard Père et Fils. Other notable parcels of Les Grêves belong to Domaine Lafarge and Domaine de Montille.

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