Poissenot is a Premier Cru climat within the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation in Burgundy's Cote de Nuits subregion. The south-facing vineyard is planted exclusively to Pinot Noir, a grape variety that is well suited to the terroir here. Wines from the Poissenot vineyard tend to be rich and full bodied with good structure, although they are leaner than the muscular wines from the Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru vineyards like Le Chambertin and Clos de Beze.
This five-acre (2ha) vineyard lies within the Combe de Lavaux, a small valley jutting into the famous Cote d'Or escarpment that runs through the heart of Burgundy. The vineyard is sandwiched between the Lavaut Saint-Jacques climat and the forest at the top of the Cote d'Or.
The vineyard's position within this valley gives it a terroir unique to this part of Gevrey-Chambertin. The south-facing nature of the slope means that the vines enjoy excellent exposure to sunlight during the growing season, which helps with the development of phenols in the grapes. However, a cold westerly wind that is funneled through the Combe means that the evenings here are significantly cooler, leading to a diurnal temperature shift that extends the ripening period. As such, wines made in the Poissenot vineyard tend to be lighter than those from the Grand Cru vineyards, which are sheltered from this wind.
However, the vineyard has an excellent soil makeup, which is often credited as the reason for the strength and structure of the wines. Made up of clay and limestone, these soils stress vines, a condition that is exacerbated by the natural drainage of the steep slope. The vines are forced to dig deep into the ground for hydration, making them strong and encouraging the production of high-quality grapes.
Several producers make wines using grapes from the Poissenot vineyard. The most notable of these include Domaine Humbert Freres and large Beaune-based negociant Louis Jadot.
