Visit to Domaine Chicotot – tasting the 2019s

Domaine Chicotot is one of the upcoming estates in Nuits-Saint-Georges, following the tremendous work in the vineyards done by the family’s newest generation in the form of son Clément.

The wines are still a bit old-school NSG – meaning relatively dark and requiring some time before they begin to unfold. Some of the cuvees, however, are already showing signs of lightening up both the alcohol levels and the rather robust, slightly dense fruit.

Nuits-Saint-Georges’ wines are – like many others – struggling with the effects of global warming, and some of the town’s vineyards really collect heat and light, sadly.

The key, therefore, will be to lighten the expression and create more short- and medium-term-drinkable wines that will not require 20 or 30 years of cellaring.

There is definitely potential at Chicotot, as Clément is known as one of the foremost viticulturists in Nuits. He is certainly the man for the job, with immaculate vineyards to show for it.

Chicotot owns a veritable tour of the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation, with stops that will appeal to lovers of the lighter, fruitier, more modern style of Nuits, as well as some visits to the past with older-school wines.

But let’s take a closer look at the Chicotot estate. To the tasting notes!

Tasting at Chicotot on March 12

Domaine Chicotot Ladoix-Serrigny 2019

The Ladoix is a good place to start at Chicotot. There’s fine liveliness in the fruit, as Ladoix often offers. This, combined with Clément Chicotot’s fine viticulture, produces detail and quite some refinement in this little wine. It’s vivid and lively, with raspberries and sweet amaretto cherries and a nice hedonistic impression.

(Drink from 2021) – Good – Tasted 12/02/2021 – 😁

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Domaine Chicotot Bourgogne Côte d’Or 2019

The Bourgogne Rouge has a lovely, fruit-driven character, showing raspberries and cherries and good depth. Not a hugely complex wine, but the joy and hedonistic qualities are very good.

(Drink from 2021) – Good – (87p) – Tasted 12/02/2021 – 😁😁

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Domaine Chicotot Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Saint Juliens 2019

The first stop of the NSG tour is just north of the village in Aux Saint Juliens. This has a wonderful perfumed (peonies and roses), airy character. A hint of iron places it in NSG, but it has stony elegance with vivid energy. The 50% whole-cluster inclusion helps, leading to a more delicate fruit expression. This is drinking well.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good – (88-89p) – Tasted 12/02/2021 –

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Domaine Chicotot Nuits-Saint-Georges Charmotte 2019

The Charmotte is above Saint Juliens, further from the main road, the RD974. It is slightly closed, although perfumed with peony and showing elegance, with delicate, lovely depth. This is quite to very energetic, and matches its neighbour Aux Saint Juliens.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good – (88-89p) – Tasted 12/02/2021 –

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Domaine Chicotot Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes 2019

The next wine comes from a collection of relatively unknown vineyards located on the Vosne side of NSG, the best-known being Aux Herbues. This is somewhat on the warm side in 2019, with mildly astringent, dark, and relatively dense fruit. The nose is nice – again peonies and roses – with some hints of violets.

(Drink from 2026) – Good – (87p) – Tasted 12/02/2021

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Domaine Chicotot Nuits-Saint-Georges Aux Allots 2019

This is further away from the RD974, just below the 1er cru of Vignerondes. It is airy and cool (100% destemmed?), perfumed, delicate, and elegant. The Vosne hints get a bit more prominent here, and there’s a holistic feeling getting me all hedonistic, particularly if served slightly chilled to hide its slightly warm note.

(Drink from 2028) – Very Good – (88-89p) – Tasted 12/02/2021 –

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Domaine Chicotot Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Plantes Aux Baron 2019

Next stop for the NSG bus: Les Plantes Aux Baron, seen by some seen as the best village lieu-dit in the appellation. It is located just below Les Didiers – equally unknown, but a big name with NSG connoisseurs. The 100% whole-cluster vinification of this cuvee cannot hide the fact that it’s a bit hot. This is for old-school NSG fans – very ripe, and a bit dark, with blueberries and some silky notes.

(Drink from 2030) – Very Good – (87-89p) – Tasted 12/02/2021

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