Domaine les Astrelles Buys Domaine Pierre Naigeon: Burgundy Wine Sale

Domaine les Astrelles Purchases Domaine Pierre Naigeon

Things in Burgundy are not exactly known for their fast pace of change. Winemaking domaines tend to be passed down through generations, and names and faces endure. So does the landscape, sculpted millennia ago by mother nature, today nurturing vines which themselves may be generations old.  

But nothing in life lasts forever, and just occasionally something does change; a domaine is sold, and a new guard is ushered in. And so it happened with the Domaine Pierre Naigeon, who sold his prestigious estate to the Domaine les Astrelles.  

Here at BurgundyWine.com by Elden Selections, we’ve had a long association with Pierre, and we’ve stocked some of his finest wines in our cellar for years. He had deep roots in Burgundy, with a winemaking business stretching back generations in the famed appellation Gevrey-Chambertin.  

The Fist in a Velvet Glove: Gevrey-Chambertin 

And what an appellation it is. It’s named after one of the earliest monks who developed winemaking practices in the region – meaning literally “the field of Bertin” or “Champ de Bertin”. The eponymous village of Gevrey stands just south of Dijon and appended the name of its most famous vineyard in 1847, as is often the way in this part of the world. It has since become one of the most revered appellations in all of Burgundy, with some saying only Romaneé Conti can match it. There are 9 Grand Crus in this part of the Côte de Nuits, and 26 Premier Crus, so you don’t have to go far to find serious quality.  

There are no white wines in this appellation – only red. And these reds are exactly what great Burgundy wine should be: rich, meaty and powerful. But they are not just powerhouses; they are also capable of incredible complexity and nuance. You get the fruits in the young wines, strawberries and cherries, but with age that gives way to that wonderful pinot ‘underbrush' character – with liquorice, fur and leather too.  

One final note on the red wines of GC: did you know that there is even a cheese created especially to go with these wines? It’s called Ami du Chambertin (literally, “friend of Chambertin”) which naturally makes an excellent partner to the wine! 

Pierre Naigeon: 5th Generation of Winemakers 

Pierre had worked his magic in Gevrey-Chambertin and built a reputation of meticulous attention to the terroir, crafting wines that let specific vineyards speak for themselves. He was a legend in his time. His family have made wine here since the 1700s, which makes him a 5th generation winemaker. They began in fact as coopers and farmers, before buying a few acres of land and trying their hand at vine growing. Pierre himself began broking wine in the early 1990s and gradually built up his domaine to 11.5 hectares. He proudly eschewed herbicides, avoided insecticides and used no synthetic anti-rot treatments. His had been the biodynamic path (to learn more about biodynamic winemaking, click here) and since 2018 there have been no sulphites in his wines either.  

When he sold up, his estate was rebranded as Domaine Les Astrelles. But have no fear; although the name is different, the vineyards remain the same. Yes the approach has changed – after all, every winemaker must put their personal stamp on the way things are done in the vineyard, vat house and cellar. But the terroir and some parts of their new approach still reflect Pierre’s legacy, and in Burgundy legacy is important.  

Domaine Les Astrelles: Investment and Revitalisation 

The driving forces behind the Domaine Les Astrelles are Isabelle and Jean-Marie Chapier. Both began their professional lives outside of the wine industry – Isabelle as a pharmacist and Jean-Marie as a medical biologist. Isabelle oversees the administrative and financial side of things, whilst Jean-Marie describes himself as an “investor who wants to get involved”.  

The estate has 14 hectares of vines in Côte de Nuits and Hautes Côtes de Nuits. They have been on a mission to revitalise the land they bought, according to organic principles. Julien Millet, son of François Millet (ex-winemaker at Domaine Comte-Georges-de-Vogüé), is their winemaker. Their wines are aged for 15 months, and lightly fined to enhance their balance and texture. 

In 2022, they produced 39 different cuvées, and they are a standout producer of the Côte de Nuits. We’re delighted to be able to bring you Domaine Les Astrelles wines on BurgundyWine.com!  

Make the Comparison Yourself: See History in the Making 

Here’s your chance to see how the same vines perform under different stewards – a mouthwatering tasting exercise:

Domaine Pierre Naigeon Gevrey Chambertin 'En Sylvie' 2019: a single vineyard gives this wine its romantic name “En Sylvie”, and indeed the wine is all about tenderness, flowers and lace. This is a wine that has finesse and elegance, but is also opulent and rich – and like all wines from Gevrey – a fist in a velvet glove. 

Domaine Les Astrelles Gevrey-Chambertin 'En Sylvie' 2022: the same vines, but different winemakers… Gevrey-Chambertin 'En Sylvie', the same parcel of vines that Pierre Naigeon worked for his entire career, clearly benefits from the aging vines.  Displaying all of the finesse and elegance of the Naigeon version, the Astrelle 'En Sylvie' also shows a depth of fruit and softer tannins, with more grace in the balance between 'fist' and 'velvet glove'. A classic Gevrey in every sense, calling out for a good bit of grilled beef.

Purchase our 6-bottle pack  Here, or our 12-bottle case  Here. 

Be Our Guest – Experience These Wines In Burgundy 

To truly appreciate these exceptional wines, why not visit us and experience the quality of the Gevrey-Chambertin wines first-hand? We invite you to our baronial manor house, Domaine de Cromey, nestled among the vines, for the wine vacation of a lifetime! You’ll create unforgettable memories and meet our long-time collaborators who can guide you in discovering the wines that are just right for you. 

Browse a sample itinerary by clicking here. 

Click here to book your unforgettable Burgundy vacation now—we can’t wait to welcome you!