Wines by Region / Burgundy / Côtes de Nuits / Nuits-Saint-Georges / Domaine François Legros

Domaine François Legros - Nuits-Saint-Georges

Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte d’Or
François Legros took over his family domaine in 1988 and since then has dedicated himself to becoming among the best in his appellation (which happens to be one filled with greats). Like many of the current generation who are at the helm of older family domaines, he has moved toward a more natural philosophy of work in the vineyard, practicing lutte raisonée and performing his work in the chai in a more traditional, less involved manner. 
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He has also helped grow the domaine's holdings in Nuits-Saint-Georges (by rehabilitating some old vines that belonged to his parents) and other nearby appellations (taking over, for example, a small parcel owned by his father-in-law in St. Aubin). Thus he has gradually expanded the vineyard holdings, which today still only total a scant 8 hectares. His Beaune-trained daughter Charlotte has also joined him at the domaine, and the delightful father-daughter team together make around 35,000 bottles a year of Bourgogne Blanc and Rouge, as well as Nuits-Saint-Georges, Saint Romain, Morey-Saint-Denis and Chambolle Musigny, among others.
​Legros harvests his grapes 100% by hand, and then the expert sorters step in and do their work right there in the vineyard, so as to choose only the best fruit and leave the rest behind. Next, at least 90% of the grapes are destemmed in the winery and fermented in concrete vats. Following a 2-week fermentation with manual pigeage, the wine is transferred into a combination of new and used oak for 12-18 months, depending on the barrel. Wines are then bottled unfined and unfiltered.
We began working with this domaine in 2016, but it is already proving to be one of the true stars of our Burgundy book.
Domaine François Legros Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Like his wines from Morey Saint Denis and Vosne-Romanée, Legros’ everyday Bourgogne Rouge displays suave notes of red fruit and spice, a velvety texture, and an impressively long finish considering its humble appellation.
Domaine François Legros Nuits-Saint-Georges
Many long-established wine merchants and negociants are located in Nuits-Saint-Georges. Legros lives right in the center, where his winery is also located. The town does not boast any Grand Cru sites, but its many Premier Cru vineyards are rated among the finest in the district. This bottling is a blend of the two sides of Nuits—2 parcels toward Vosne-Romanee and 2 to the south.  From vines planted on limestone and thick clay, it is spectacular with roast beef of hard rind cheeses like gouda or manchego.

Domaine François Legros Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Aux Bousselots” 
François sustainably farms 7 hectares of vines between the Côtes de Nuits and the village of Saint-Aubin, a town from which his wife hails. This premier cru is located on the Vosne-Romanee side of Nuits-Saint-Georges, where the limestone soils have a brown tint. The wine has lovely aromas of red fruit, vanilla and spice. Try it with roast leg of lamb.
Domaine François Legros Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “Clos Sorbé”
This 1er cru is located just below the Clos de Lambray, whose clay and limestone originate in the Jurassic period. Legros has just under a third of a hectare here, and the wine’s high-pitched notes include cassis and blueberry, along with violet tones. This wine finishes with very fine tannins.
Domaine François Legros Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “La Riotte”
La Riotte is in the northern part of Morey toward Gevrey. There Legros has under a tenth of a hectare planted on brown clay. The wine is aged in 30% new oak and shows notes of red fruit, with a full-bodied palate feel balanced by a fine structure.   
Domaine François Legros Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “La Roncière” 
​Legros owns just under a third of a hectare in the southern part of the appellation just before Les Perrieres. Soils are limestone with many smaller rocks. This wine shows notes of cherry and black cherry and is a good partner for duck breast and roasted meats.
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Domaine François Legros Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru “Les Noirots”
In addition to having some excellent premier crus in Morey-Saint-Denis and his hometown, he also has this premier cru of less than one-third a hectare in the northern part of the village with lots of limestone in the soils. It shows notes of strawberry and raspberry, along with some smoky vanilla and spice. An excellent companion to lamb chops or lean steaks.
Domaine François Legros Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru “Les Millandes”
This 1er cru is located just above the Clos St. Denis. Its clay and limestone soils help give the wines deep color, notes of black and red fruits, and good structure. A good choice with thick beef cuts or hard-rind cheeses.
Domaine François Legros Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru “Les Perrières”
​Francois has just under a half hectare in Perrières, located in the southern part of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Soils are comprised of broken limestone, and the wine is aged in 225-liter oak barrels, a third of which are new. From its intense ruby color come aromas of cherry, strawberry, leather and truffle. This wine does well with rich food presentations.
Domaine François Legros Vougeot 1er Cru “Les Cras”
Legros farms just over a quarter hectare in front of Chateau de la Tour and just before the Clos de Vougeot. Fine clay is interspersed with rocky limestone. From the wine’s deep color come aromas of black cherry and cassis, along with notes of violet and undergrowth. Delicious with roast poultry or lamb T-bone.