Aux Cheseaux is a Premier Cru climat on the northern border of the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation in the Cote de Nuits subregion of Burgundy. Like most vineyards in this part of Burgundy, it is planted entirely to Pinot Noir, giving a medium-bodied wine with soft tannins and red fruit flavors.
The small vineyard is on the edge of the commune's border with Gevrey-Chambertin at the base of the Cote d'Or escarpment – the Mazoyeres-Chambertin climat is just a short way to the north. The highly respected Clos des Ormes Premier Cru vineyard is adjacent to Aux Cheseaux, and to the east, the landscape flattens out into land that is sanctioned only for use in basic Morey-Saint-Denis wines.
In Aux Cheseaux, rocky limestone soils and an easterly exposure contribute to the favorable terroir. The soils are free draining and poor in nutrients, but a high proportion of clay means that ample water is stored here to keep vines hydrated during the growing season. This water, however, is not easily accessible to the vine and encourages strong root growth, leading to the production of high-quality berries.
The climat's vines are angled toward the morning sun due to the very gentle gradient of the lower Cote d'Or. This helps berries reach maturity prior to harvest, an important consideration in Burgundy's cool climate. This exposure is not as marked as in the Grand Cru hills further up the slope, and Aux Cheseaux Premier Cru wines lack the concentration of their Clos de la Roche counterparts.
The vineyard's name comes from an old word that refers to a stone house. Aux Cheseaux has the same root as the names of the famous Echezeaux and Grands-Echezeaux sites that lie a little way to the south.
