Maxime Cheurlin from Domaine Georges Noëllat is one the hottest names in Burgundy. In just +10 years his wines have achieved almost cult-like status, with many serious buyers/collectors trying to get allocations in every vintage.
We were lucky to secure a small allocation of six different wines, from regional up to 1er Cru, including his latest négociant venture named after himself. These give an excellent impression of the style and caliber of this producer. We highly recommend starting with the entry-level and working your way up. You will find his wines are persistent with aging potential. Yet, like the peers of his generation, he's making wines that are drinkable when young.
Domaine Georges Noëllat Background
Photo Credits: Ginsberg Chan
The beginnings of this historic estate located in the heart of Vosne-Romanéee start with Georges Noëllat, nephew of Charles Noëllat*, once the proprietor of one of Vosne's greatest domaines. After George's passing, his daughter Maria Theresa Noellat and her husband, Jacques Cheurlin (a Champagne grower), took over the management of the estate until 2009, when she passed the domaine to her 20-year-old grandson Maxime Cheurlin, who runs the estate today. Brought up in Champagne, Maxime took his winemaking studies at the Lycée du Viticole in Beaune with stages at Domaine Emmanuel Rouget and Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur before settling at his family domaine.
*Interesting Fact: Charles Noëllat's property eventually split up into parts that formed Domaine Jean Jacques Confuron, Hudelot Noëllat, and the vast majority of Domaine Leroy.
Terroir & Winemaking
Photo Credits: Frank Fissette
Photo Credits: Michel Joly
A small domaine with some of the most profound terroirs in Vosne-Romanée and northern Nuits St Georges. The most famous being the vineyards of Vosne-Romanée 'Les Beaux Monts' Echezeaux and Grands Echezeaux.
Many of the vines are incredibly old, planted before WWII, requiring special attention and care.
The grapes are hand-harvested and 100% de-stemmed (except in a few rare cases where up to 30% of the stems may be included). Before fermentation begins, grapes are coolly macerated for a few days. During vinification, punch downs are rare and gentle as his emphasis is on the purity of the fruit. Aging lasts 14 to 20 months.
Since 2015 Maxime has made some tweaks, the cellar is temperature-controlled, and he is using a little less new wood. The barrels are from Cavin, which for him are not too toasted. He works with the cooper closely, adapting the toast and the forest by appellation, according to taste. Nothing is racked until it is time for bottling. Wines are bottled, unfined, and unfiltered.
What are professionals saying?
Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy: "He may not have looked the part at the outset, but this softly-spoken young man produced some outstanding wines from his very first vintage."
Allen Meadows, Burghound: "As to the style of the wines, they are understated and impressively crafted wines that emphasize the purity of fruit and refinement; indeed, they could well be described as delicate. One might wish for a bit more body and weight, but that is more of a stylistic comment because the wines are beautifully well-balanced and speak clearly of their underlying terroirs."
Neal Martin, Vinous: "Maxime seems to be a driven young vigneron whose tenets have been instilled from an early age, but wow – what potential!... 2019 ranks among the best I have tasted at the Domaine. The wines have achieved greater finesse and precision."
Winehog: "Maxime has a very fine 2019 lineup – like many other top growers. Slightly hot but seductive and decadent, this is a charming vintage in the making."
Domaine Georges Noëllat Arrivals
