Wines of France / Burgundy / Côte de Beaune / Chorey-Les-Beaunes / Domaine Daniel Largeot

Domaine Daniel Largeot - Chorey Les Beaunes

Chorey-lès-Beaune, Côte d’Or
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Daniel Largeot was a well-respected Chorey-les-Beaune winemaker whose deep, traditional red wines were much appreciated by a mostly local clientele. He started bottling his own wine in 1965 and was later joined by his daughter Marie-France, who completed her wine studies in Beaune in 2000. She was joined by her husband Rémy Martin (that really is his name) in 2002. Coincidentally, Rémy was a classmate of Vincent Charleux of the Maranges domaine Maurice Charleux.

​​Daniel Largeot unfortunately passed away in 2008, but his daughter and son-in-law continue to work his 13 hectares spread over 5 appellations, with Marie-France in charge of vinification and Rémy in charge of the vines. Their philosophy (basically, that wine is made in the vineyard) is explained simply: “We invest tremendous time and effort between the vines,” says Rémy, “because when the grapes are not at their best, they are difficult to improve in the winery.” 

In the vineyards, grass is allowed to cover the soils until spring when it is plowed several times to develop healthy activity underground. Shoots are pruned short, sometimes fruit is dropped and leaves are plucked. Harvest is by hand with sorting both in the vineyard and when the fruit arrives at the winery. The grapes are usually destemmed although, depending on the vintage and wine, some grapes might be vinified whole cluster. After a cold maceration to extract fruit and color, a traditional fermentation takes place with punching down and pumping over to extract the raw material. Aging takes place in their underground cellars in 225-liter oak casks, some of which are new while the others have seen between 1 and 4 wines.

In the vineyards, grass is allowed to cover the soils until spring when it is plowed several times to develop healthy activity underground. Shoots are pruned short, sometimes fruit is dropped and leaves are plucked. Harvest is by hand with sorting both in the vineyard and when the fruit arrives at the winery. The grapes are usually destemmed although, depending on the vintage and wine, some grapes might be vinified whole cluster. After a cold maceration to extract fruit and color, a traditional fermentation takes place with punching down and pumping over to extract the raw material. Aging takes place in their underground cellars in 225-liter oak casks, some of which are new while the others have seen between 1 and 4 wines.

This is a wonderful domaine for Burgundy fans looking for overachieving wines from unheralded appellations. They are an excellent old-school producer, without relying on the trappings of sexy new oak but rather displaying deep red fruit and a subtle hint of earthiness that only adds to the wine’s appeal. In short, another domaine whose wines overdeliver for their price.

Domaine Daniel Largeot Bourgogne Rouge
From vines just outside of Chorey-les-Beaune, the wine is aged in tank and older oak casks. Notes of cherry and a touch of vanilla and spice highlight this excellent value that will prove to be a popular wine by the glass.

Domaine Daniel Largeot Chorey-les-Beaune “Les Beaumonts”
This lieu dit is located on the opposite side of the highway from Chorey village, between Aloxe- Corton and Savigny-les-Beaune, and covers one-third of the Chorey-les-Beaune appellation. The Largeots farm 2 hectares here. Black cherry and cassis notes on the nose, along with a touch of fig and kirsch, with hints of vanilla, smoke and minerals that arrive on the medium to full-bodied, elegant palate.

Domaine Daniel Largeot Savigny-les-Beaune
This comes from a lieu dit known as Les Pimentiers. It has medium to full body, notes of black cherry and vanilla and a touch of undergrowth. With a bit more tannin than the Chorey as well as more concentrated fruit, this wine will develop beautifully.    

Domaine Daniel Largeot Aloxe-Corton
After a cold maceration, a traditional fermentation takes place with punching down and pumping over to extract the raw material. Aging takes place in 225-liter oak casks, some of which are new. Cassis, raspberry, a touch of menthol, and a hint of vanilla highlight this wine’s excellent aromatics. The fruit glides across the solid and concentrated palate that shows additional notes of vanilla and spice.

Coming soon

Domaine Daniel Largeot Beaune Premier Cru “Les Grèves”
From 45-year old vines on clay-limestone soil, these grapes undergo a pre-fermentation cold soak and then ferment for 15-20 days. The wine is then aged for 12 months in oak, only 40% of which is new. Shows aromas that include small red fruits, vanilla and some floral accents (rose and jasmine). Good density on the palate, with present but silky tannins that will assure an elegant evolution.