O W Loeb - Cathiard

History: The family Domaine was established by Sylvain Cathiard’s grandfather in the 1930s and then maintained by Sylvain’s father from 1969 until 1985, when Sylvain himself became involved. The following year, Sylvain set up his own with parcels of vines rented from his father and other vignerons, before taking on his father’s original vineyards. From 2006, he has been joined by his son, Sebastian, and they have formed the estate of Sylvain Cathiard et Fils.

Vineyards: Based in Vosne, his 5 hectares span Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny, with very small parcels in Clos de Vougeot and Romanée-St-Vivant – in fact, he is officially the smallest holder of vines in the latter.
Vosne Romanée Villages: 79 ares, 3 parcels of 15, 22 and 30 years old respectively.
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru “Aux Malconsorts”: 74 ares, 35 year old vines
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru “En Orveaux”: 29 ares, 42 year old vines
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru “Aux Reignots”: 24 ares, 10 year old vines.
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru “Les Suchots”: 16 ares, 25 year old vines.
Nuits St Georges Villages: 12 ares, 52 year old vines
Nuits St Georges 1er Cru “Les Suchots”: ??
Nuits St Georges 1er Cru “Aux ??”: 47 ares, 64 year old vines.
Nuits St Georges “Aux Chorey”: 42 ares, 52 year old vines.
Chambolle Musigny “Les Clos de l’Orme”: 42 ares, 42 year old vines.
Romanée St Vivant Grand Cru: ??
Soils: clay limestone, with a greater proportion of limestone progressively through the 1er Crus and Romanée St Vivant Grand Cru.

Method: Sylvain has a definite hands-off approach, preferring to do nothing rather than interfere with the natural development of the wines. He destems entirely, cold settles the juice for 4-8 days and ferments the wines for between 16 and 22 days, depending on the vintage. The new wines are matured for 18 months in oak as follows: generic Bourgogne, 50% 1 year old oak and 50% 2 year old; Village wines, 40% new oak and 60% 1 year old; 1er Crus, 70-80% new oak and 20-30% 1 year old; Grand Cru, 100% new oak. None of the wines are fined or filtered.

Style: His wines are incredibly harmonious, softly textured and very fine. His Vosnes in particular are amongst the best of the village. ‘Le Clos de l’Orme’ is a ‘lieu dit’, giving wines with a real raspberry character and wonderful elegance.