Visit Domaine Domaine Les Petits Lieux tasting the 2023s

The Guillaume Rouget and his wife Laure Guilloteau are not exactly new in the wine business, and the estate in Vosne-Romanée has a long history as the home of one of the most legendary producers of red Burgundy – Henry Jayer.

They have, however decided to create a new estate “Domaine Les Petits Lieux” located in the old estate of Henri Jayer in Vosne-Romanée.

So is it new new … perhaps not … but it brings Guillaume to the table with more free hands to make the wines he wants to show together with his wife. So yes to me its new … and I welcome this wholeheartedly.

The first vintage is 2023 made from negociant grapes … delightful wines with a lovely freshness and livelyness. They also have a lovely coherence and stability in a vintage with quite some variations in phenolic ripeness.

First of all, the style is what I would call classic Burgundies … not technical wines … but a tribute to Burgundies of tradition and with a modern freshness and vivacity. So back to basics with a mission and apparent talent. These wines are a joy to drink … and you can even drink them in large stems without a MW degree. Enjoy … try not to understand to much … your label navel picking is annoying anyhow.

AND … I must admit that I really value the couple’s initiative to preserved and revive the old estate buildings of Henri Jayer … he deserves this … merci. Burgundy is a lot of history … but in general, the preservation of historical buildings is lacking if they are built after WW1.

Summing up – these are delightful and classical wines with a current and vivid touch … we need this in these chaotic times.

To the wines – tasted on March 5th, 2025

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Domaine Les Petits Lieux Aligote 2023

The Aligote is fresh and vivid, slightly on the delicate and perfumed side. Mainly from around the Meursault area. A lovely and fresh Aligote not trying too much … but is showing very well … and drinking very well. Phenolics were well judged.

(Drink From 2025) – Very Good – (88p) –

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Domaine Les Petits Lieux Chardonnay 2023

The Chardonnay is deeper, a bit on the dusty side … from Hautes Cote and deep fruit .. … and Saint–Romain … A fine and quite vivid wine again nailing the phenolics quite well,.. not bad … for a non white producers.

(Drink From 2025) – Very Good – (87-88p) –

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Domaine Les Petits Lieux Saint Romain Combe Bazin 2023

This is richer and has more mineral backbone than the generic Chardonnay. Lovely vineyard and the phenolics are well judged again. Sometimes the cooler terroirs can be a blessing when the vineyards go berserk with the phenolics ….  Frais et légere as we like it.

(Drink From 2028) – Very Good – (90p) –

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Domaine Les Petits Lieux Pinot Noir 2023

The pinot noir is 50% Dijon and the rest is from upper Premeaux. 100% destemmed and quite vivid and lively. Pure, straight forward with quite generous fruit and a lovely minerality … like the terroir mix with Dijon. Again phenolics are very finely judged … frais et léger.

(Drink From 2025) – Good – (87p) –

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Domaine Les Petits Lieux Santenay Clos Foubard 2023

The Santenay is very unconventional with 30% whole cluster in the old Jayers cellar!!! .. Ouhlala … Very juicy and vivid for a Santenay .. nice intensity but first and foremost fresh and vivid …

(Drink From 2028) – Very Good – (87-88p) –

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Domaine Les Petits Lieux Marsanney 2023

The Marsanney is quite on the serious side … I do like the terroir and its quite delicate perfumed notes vivid and quite intense … in love .. no but enjoyable yes. 100% destemmed.

(Drink From 2029) – Very Good – (88p)

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Domaine Les Petits Lieux Beaune Cent Vignes 2023

The Beaune Cent Vignes is really beautiful with the light sandy soil, has a lovely light-footed palate and a perfumed nose … sexy even … a lovely terroir. It’s vivid, delicate, and lively. It really nails the phenolics, giving a very energetic midpalate.

(Drink From 2032) – Very Good – (91p) –

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Domaine Les Petits Lieux Nuits-Saint-Georges 2023

A bit is currently a bit flatter  .. a bit high on the phenolic ripeness according to my palate … and I am lacking a bit of livelyness. From the southern side of Nuits–Saint-Georges. Well let’s see  .. 

(Drink From 2029) – Very Good – (89p)

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