Valéria Naudin’s debut wine was one of the first wines I rated when I moved to Burgundy during the aftermath of the Covid epidemic in 2021.
Hence, Valéria has a special place in my recollection … as it is exciting to follow the way the wines develop in this new domaine.
Add to this that I also know the vineyard Les Petit Charmotte from two other growers who rent a part of the same plot on this vineyard … and I was harvesting the grapes of this plot in several vintages …
So, Burgundy is small and complex … as the grapes of Valéria Naudin are actually under the viticulture and harvested by a very competent wine grower in the Côte de Nuits.
The Wild Thing and the sensation
“This is what I wrote in April 2021 …”
A new producer and her new wine from a fine, but somewhat overlooked, vineyard in the northern part of Nuits-Saint-Georges: This is Burgundy!
Let’s start with the estate – Maison Valéria Naudin, whose first vintage was 2020.
The name is Valéria Naudin
The estate was started in the Château de Bligny-lès-Beaune, a custom-crush facility used by a number of talented vignerons. This is the place to rent good facilities if you have limited production and/or are an exciting start-up. I have visited this facility several times, and have found exciting and fine new wines.
Valéria Naudin has produced wine since the 2020 vintage although she has worked in wine for many years. Valéria has worked the vinification at Domaine Michel Mallard in Ladoix for the last five to ten years, gaining the experience and knowledge she needed to take the final jump and become a wine producer herself in 2020.
And now the estate … has changed address to Ladoix, where Valéria Naudin and her well-known partner Michel Mallard are located.
The first wine…
Maison Valéria Naudin started out with one appellation in the 2020 vintage with an ambition to increase the size of the estate in 2021 and beyond.
The plot is certified organic (AB), hence, offering very fine quality and a good acidic backbone, something noticeable in the 2020 taste below.
The first vineyard is Nuits-Saint-Georges La Petite Charmotte, for some a rather unknown name.
It’s a vineyard located just north of the town of Nuits – i.e. on the Vosne side.
In total, the vineyard is 4.2331 ha, and few produce it as a separate lieu-dit. It is mostly blended into NSG village cuvées, per usual in both NSG and Vosne-Romanée.
La Petite Charmotte is just north of La Charmotte and below the 1er Cru Bousselots, an area with refined, mineral vineyards. This is certainly an area of focus by a number of new and expanding estates. Mark my words: These are interesting vineyards.
Maison Valéria Naudin Nuits-Saint-Georges La Petite Charmotte 2020
La Petite Charmotte is a balanced, forwardly fruity effort. The good, relatively structured fruit has a fine and quite delicate balance between extraction and extroverted charm and fruitiness. The 80% whole-cluster usage is well integrated. There are lovely notes of red and dark fruits, and hints of peony, rose and violets, along with a slight tone of rhubarb. The oak is nicely balanced and is currently noticeable. Nice cellaring potential, though perhaps hiding a bit of its purely hedonistic qualities at the moment.
(Drink before 2030) – Very Good – (88–89p) – tasted 09/04/2021
A fine start for Valéria Naudin, with a wine of high quality in her first effort. This is drinking very well.
And it unfolds
Two years down the line … another vintage … and perhaps the dosage of the oak is more suitable for a wine at this level.
Maison Valéria Naudin Nuits-Saint-Georges La Petite Charmotte 2022
La Petite Charmotte 2022 is vivid and lively … and without the slight sweet sensation or nuisance of the vintage. This is a balanced, forwardly fruity effort – just unfolding beautifully. It still has a delicate balance between extraction and extroverted charm and fruitiness. There are delightful notes of red and dark fruits, and hints of peony, rose, and violets. This is a refined effort, not some Hill-Billy wine made in a garage. And then, to the key … with the 2022, the oak is perfectly balanced and suits the 2022 vintage perfectly (even the 2023). Now, it is truly hedonistic and unfolds the Mallard-styled oak perfectly … 2022 is also a great vintage for Domaine d`Éugenie!. Let’s face it, Petite Charmotte is a wonderful terroir … this is a beautiful wine!
(Drink before 2032) – Very Good – (90-91p) – tasted 19/10/2024 – 
And now, in Ladoix
And now, Valéria Naudin is back where it started: in Ladoix with her small collection of terroirs. 2023 was a big vintage … and 2024 was very difficult with mildew issues preventing the production of La Petite Charmotte.
But to the 2023s first …
Maison Valéria Naudin Nuits-Saint-Georges La Petite Charmotte 2023
La Petite Charmotte 2023 is more airy and floral than the more concentrated 2022. It is a balanced, forwardly fruity effort – just showing off beautifully. It has a delicate, slightly perfumed and extroverted charm and fruitiness. There are delightful floral hints of peony, rose, and violets. It’s quite lightfooted, a small reminder of the generous yields … showing a more classic style than the seemingly hotter 2022 vintage. And yes, Petite Charmotte is a wonderful terroir … this is a charming wine!
(Drink before 2030) – Very Good – (90p) – tasted 01/04/2025 –
Since 2021, Valéria produces another village wine … the Gevrey-Chambertin Regnard
Maison Valéria Naudin Gevrey-Chambertin Regnard 2023
The Gevrey-Chambertin Regnard (Reniard) is a bit more robust than the sensuel Petite Charmotte. 100% whole cluster and with a more classic Gevrey note. The wine has a nice mineral note coming from the southern part of Gevrey and below the road. To me, bigger than the Chamotte … but I do love the NSG more due to its refinement.
(Drink before 2030) – Very Good – (89p) – tasted 01/04/2025 – 
- A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
- A potential vin d´émotion - frais et léger
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.