Aux Allots

The small town of Nuits-St-Georges which lends its name to the Côte de Nuits, has a fine vinous history. In 1693 Dr Guy-Crescent Fagon, doctor to Louis XIV, prescribed Nuits rather than Champagne for his master’s health. Jules Verne, in his Voyage around the Moon, has his heroes celebrating with a bottle of ‘fine Nuits’. This astronautical bond was strengthened in 1971 when the Apollo XV team named a moon crater ‘St Georges’, even burying a bottle therein.

While Nuits can make powerful, rugged red Burgundy, the most sensual wines come on the north side of the villahe, heading towards Vosne-Romanée. There is a rich clay soil in Les Allots with plenty of water from small springs – probably the name derives from a reference to water (à l’eau ?). This type of soil does well in warmer, drier years such as 2009 when it retains water. The wine has been made by Benjamin Leroux, rising or perhaps now risen star of Burgundy. As well as being in charge of the Domaine du Comte Armand in Pommard, he has been making first rate wines under his own label since 2007. Jasper Morris MW, BBR Burgundy Wine Director