La Bussiere is one of 20 Premier Cru climats in the Morey-Saint-Denis appellation of Burgundy. Along with its neighbor Les Ruchots, the vineyard is one of the southernmost of the commune, with the Chambolle-Musigny border making up its southern delimiter. Pinot Noir-based wines made in La Bussiere are full bodied with an earthy character and meaty tannins.
The 6 acre (2.5ha) vineyard is downslope from the Clos de Tart and Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru vineyards. It takes its name from the Abbey de la Bussiere, a Cistercian order who once owned the land here. Now, La Bussiere is owned entirely by Domaine Georges Roumier, making it a monopole.
La Bussiere is situated at the base of the Cote d'Or escarpment, where the land flattens out. The Les Ruchots climat, which lies between La Bussiere and the Grand Cru climats on the hill, is in a slight depression in the ground, giving La Bussiere excellent drainage along with a very gentle eastward exposure, creating a good mesoclimate. The morning sun provides ripening opportunities, while the soil heats more quickly during the day due to its lack of water, also adding to the site's warmth. As a result, the berries develop rich varietal character along with acidity.
The soils here are made up of similar rocky clay limestone as in Les Ruchots. The clay's water storage properties mean that although the vineyard drains freely, the vines receive ample hydration during the growing season. They have to work hard for this, however, and so leafy canopy is forgone in favor of small, concentrated berries.
La Bussiere is one of Morey-Saint-Denis's most highly respected Premier Cru sites, along with Clos des Ormes and Les Millandes.
