© AFP
Les Cazetiers is a Premier Cru climat above the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, in Burgundy's Cote de Nuits. The wines made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes from this 21-acre (8.5ha) vineyard may claim the title Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru and include the Les Cazetiers name as part of the appellation title on labels. Classic Les Cazetiers Premier Cru wines tend to be rich and structured, but more approachable in their youth than those from neighboring Clos Saint-Jacques.
Les Cazetiers is amongst the most elevated of the Premier Cru sites in Gevrey-Chambertin – and indeed the whole of Burgundy – with its top edge reaching 1200ft (370m) above sea level (its northern neighbor Combe au Moine takes first place). The land slopes down to the village below, facing roughly southeast, and marking the entrance to the Combe de Lavaux valley that cuts westwards into the Cote d'Or.
This aspect is an important consideration in Les Cazetiers' terroir. Vines have a longer exposure to the afternoon sun here than they do in east-facing vineyards such as Champeaux, and as such the mesoclimate is slightly warmer. This means that the grapes have more opportunity to achieve full ripeness, although they still benefit from a diurnal temperature variation that keeps the balance of flavor and acidity in check.
The poor, low-fertility soils in the Les Cazetiers vineyard are composed of limestone and marl, and provide an excellent base for viticulture. As water drains freely from the soil, vines must develop deep root systems to access water and minerals in the clay below. This has the effect of lessening both leafy vegetation growth and grape yield, which increases concentration in the berries. Les Cazetiers Premier Cru wines are correspondingly robust and quite tannic for red Burgundy.
Along with Combe au Moines and Clos Saint-Jacques, Les Cazetiers shares a border with the much smaller Petits Cazetiers vineyard.
