Domaine Louis Chenu Père et Filles was born in 1915 when Angel Gay, the current proprietors' Great-Great-Grandmother, Angel, bought a small plot of Les Lavières, Premier Cru in the middle of the slope with southern exposure.
A large vineyard, Les Lavières occupies forty-four hectares and is one of the more well-known in the appellation. Juliette and Caroline describe the site and the wines they make from it like this:
The Lavières get their name from the stone found in their sub-soil, which is covered with a very fine layer of stony brown earth (30 cm). This premier cru is very fragrant when young and remains so with age, which is typical of this appellation. It makes a tender, elegant and pleasant wine when young due to its finesse. It gives off several aromas of red fruits and also violet. It remains very firm with age. As it ages, it develops a soil taste that is reminiscent of the smell of gunflint or smoke. It can easily be kept for around fifteen years. (Domaine Louis Chenu Père et Filles)
Situating Les Lavières within Savigny-Lès-Beaune and the Côte d'Or
The village of Savigny-Lès-Beaune sits north of the city of Beaune in a small, amphitheater-shaped valley on both sides of the small Rhoin river. The shape of the valley as well as the forests that sit above the vines contribute cool winds that help deter excessive heat, keeping the wines fresh and bright. Hillside vineyards on both sides of the river are included in the village's twenty-two Premier Cru sites The area is part of the sub-appellation called the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy's larger Côte d'Or region.
Les Lavières sits just south, southeast of the village of Savigny-Lès-Beaune at the base of the hill that starts to turn east towards the hills of Pernand-Vergelesses and Corton. The site..."is located on the Left Bank of the Rhone River and covers the slope at the foot of the plateau...The wines from this Zone typically display great finesse and are particularly aromatic and have a beautiful structure, such as the ones from the climats Le Lavières or Les Talmettes." Jean-Pierre Renard, from the text of his detailed video created by the École des Vins de Bourgogne,
Tasting Notes and Reviews for Les Lavières from Louis Chenu Père et Filles:
2018 Les Lavières, 90/100: Wine Enthusiast: In this wine, the aromatic nose blends red and black cherry, with a slight overtone of Amarena. The palate comes in with ease and freshness, swishing juicily. With its slender body, the wine has a lightness and easiness that will work well when chilled. Anne Krebiehl MW
