Domaine Robert Sirugue is a relatively unknown producer in Vosne-Romanee, but quality is rising and the wines certainly deserves more acclaim than they have had for the last decade.
While the name Sirugue may be relatively unknown to many, the origin of the Domaine is not … as the Sirugue domaine at least partly originates from the Jayer family.
Photo: Arnaud Sirugue.
The connection to the Jayer family
The Jayer family was large and quite many of the Domaine in Vosne are owned by families somehow related to the Jayer family … one could mention producers like Grivot, Tremblay, Georges Noellat, Michel Noellat, Cacheaux, Jayer-Gilles, Emmanuel Rouget …
The Sirugue domaine belongs to the Jean Francois Jayer (1869 – ?) part of the Jayer family. Jean Francois Jayer was the oldest brother of Eugene Louis Jayer (1884 – ?) – the father of Henri Jayer (1922 – 2006).
Jean Francois Jayer was married to Jeanne Marchand (1870 – 1953) and the couple had two children – a son Louis and a daughter Jeanne. The son Louis had two daughters Jacqueline and Yvonne – where Yvonne was married to Jean Grivot – the father of Etienne Grivot of Domaine Grivot in Vosne-Romanee3.
The daughter Jeanne married a Sirugue – thus introducing the name Sirugue into the “Jayer” family. The couple had a daughter, Marthe, who was married to a Lamadon3, a daughter Suzanne (1922 – 2010) who was married to Francois Gerbet and lastly a son Robert (1934 – ), who is the father of the current management – Marie-France Wilmotte and her brother Jean-Louis Sirugue.
Domaine Robert SIrugue & ses Enfants
The current Domaine Sirugue is quite large with more than 11 ha of vineyards – although not all of the production is sold under own label – some – mainly Vosne-Romanee village are sold of to negociants.
The holdings include around 2 ha Bourgogne rouge – located in Cote de Nuits. A plot in the Chambolle village Les Mombies, 4 ha of Vosne-Romanee village located in several different lieu dits. Domaine Sirugue also have some really interesting plots in Vosne-Romanee Les Petits Monts – where they to my knowledge are the second largest owner – after the Gerbet family, who are closely related to the Sirugues. And last but certainly they have a small plot of Grands Echezeaux in the northern part of the vineyard – the plot is only 0.1263 ha. In addition they have a small 0.0745 ha plot in Vosne-Romanee Aux Reignots.
Domaine Sirugue may be unknown to many today, but it received quite good reviews from the wine critics 20-30 years ago – but seem to have lost some mometum over the years.
When Marie-France and Jean-Louis Sirugue took over in 2007, they began to improve quality … and in recent vintages have shown that there is a fine potential here. The quality is improving year after year and with the 2012s the Sirugue family have in my view reestablished the Domaines position.
Photo: Marie-France Wilmotte
The wines are lovely but not quite in the league of Cathiard, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, Emmanuel Rouget, Georges Noellat … but things are moving in the right direction.
Tasting notes from my tasting on November 5th, 2014
The tasting at Domaine Sirugue was just after a lovely tasting at Domaine Cathiard – so the Sirugue wines were really put to the test … and I must say they performed surprisingly well … considering the very high quality and purity of the Cathiard lineup.
The wines didn’t match the Cathiard wines … but they performed well in their own right .. and the quality/price ratio is still very fine. Bottom line … this is wines I like to drink .. and can afford to enjoy without remorse.
To the notes:
Domaine Robert Sirugue, Bourgogne Rouge 2013
The Bourgogne Rouge from Sirugue is a good entry level Burgundy. The nose offer pure pinot fruit with a hint of terroir. On the palate juicy fruit – quite good concentration for this level. A nice glass of generic Burgundy with a hint of Cote de Nuits terroir.
(Drink from 2016) – Above Average (82 – 83p) – Tasted 05/11/2014 – from CASK
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Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne Romanee 2013
The regular Vosne Romanee Village is a blend of several different village terroirs – from Aux Communes to Les Barreaux. I tasted three different lieu dits and they were indeed quite different terroir wise, but also more or less of the same quality level. All were pure and forward with a lovely expression of pinot fruit and Vosne spicyness. On the palate medium weight … with a nice midpalate fruit – focused by the crisp 2013 acidity. Offer good drinkability and a nice expression of Vosne-Terroir at a reasonable price point
(Drink from 2020) – Good (86 – 87p) – Tasted 05/11/2014 – from CASK
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Domaine Sirugue, Vosne-Romanee Vieilles Vignes 2013
The Vosne-Romanee Vieilles Vignes is a step up in quality and concentration. It’s made from a village plot on the Flagey side of Vosne just south of the Clos de Vougeot wall – in the climate Les Violettes. In the bouquet more intense and defined fruit with a lovely filigree slightly earthy minerality. On the palate additional deptht – with a more weighty and juicy fruit than the regular village – its pure and focused … and first and foremost drinking well.
(Drink from 2022) – Very Good (87 – 88p) – Tasted 05/11/2014 – from CASK
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Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne-Romanee Les Petits-Monts 2013
The Vosne-Petits-Motnts 2013 is a delightful effort …. combining the rather powerful expression of the vintage and the filigree refinement of the Petits-Monts terroir. In the bouquet juicy red and darkberry fruit … brought forward by an expressive and filigree minerality. On the palate quite weighty for the terroir with a juicy midpalate fruit – finely focused by the crisp acidity. A lovely refined glass of Vosne …
(Drink from 2024) – Fine (90 – 92p) – Tasted 05/11/2014 – from CASK
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Domaine Robert Sirugue, Grands Echezeaux 2013
Grands Echezeaux is quite a big step up in quality and weight from the otherwise lovely Vosne-Romanee Les Petits-Monts. In the bouquet layers of pure red and dark berry fruit served with a deep filigree and earthy expression of terroir. On the palate quite large scaled with layers of relatively openly knit fruit – classic Grands Echezeaux. Offer a true grand cru experience … with a high drinkability.
(Drink from 2027) – Fine+ (92 – 93p) – Tasted 05/11/2014 – from Cask
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References & Sources:
- Allen D. Meadows, The Pearl of the Côte (2010)
- Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy: Cote de Nuits
- Berry Bros (Jasper Morris) – about the Jayer family
Special thanks goes to Marie-France Wilmotte of Domaine Robert Sirugue for helpful information’s to the article.
Latest tasting Notes for this producer
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Grands Echezeaux 2013 April 4, 2015
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne-Romanee Les Petits-Monts 2013 April 4, 2015
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne-Romanee Vieilles Vignes 2013 April 4, 2015
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne Romanee 2013 April 4, 2015
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Bourgogne Rouge 2013 April 4, 2015
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Grands Echezeaux 1988 December 10, 2014
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Grands Echezeaux 1978 December 9, 2014
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne-Romanee 2012 August 21, 2014
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne-Romanee Les Petits Monts 2012 August 20, 2014
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Grands Echezeaux 2012 August 14, 2014
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne Romanee VV 2011 April 14, 2014
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Grands Echezeaux 2011 September 11, 2013
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne Romanee 2011 September 9, 2013
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne Romanee 2010 September 8, 2013
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Chambolle Les Mombies 2011 September 7, 2013
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne Les Petits Monts 2011 September 6, 2013
- Domaine Robert Sirugue, Vosne Romanee VV 2011 September 5, 2013
- A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
- A truly hedonistic wine – lively and enjoyable
- A vivacious wine for pure indulgance
- A Vin Vif - fresh, energetic and with a light appearance