Domaine Michel Gaunoux

Burgundy's best-kept secret

Winemaker Alexandre Gaunoux

The domaine was founded by the Gaunoux family in the late 19th Century. The name of the estate is a tribute to Michel Gaunoux who passed away untimely back in 1984. His wife took over back then, and has now handed the estate over to her children, while still involved in a supporting role maintaining traditions and the family spirit. 

Mme Gaunoux and her two children - Anne and Alexandre Gaunoux are running the estate these days. An estate is packed with traditions and a very serious attention to detail; a very special place and a family with a lot of pride and respect for tradition …

Domaine Michel Gaunoux is unique in that the wines are not allowed to be tasted until after élevage and bottling. Winemaking methods are traditional with late harvests, high-temperature primary and malolactic fermentations using natural yeasts and aging with minimal new oak.

The viticulture and vinification seem to work well even in lesser years and a tremendous consistency style and quality wise has been achieved … without diminishing the expression of the individual vintage and terroir.

These wines are special, and a tremendous treat, as they offer a combination of modern purity and a traditional style.They do have a classic style with some special qualities - firstly very finely grained tannins that gives the wines structure and intensity without being intrusive in appreciating the character of terroir and the vintage. Secondly a fine and fresh acidity that adds to the impression of transparency and refinement.

Domaine Michel-Gaunoux
Burgundy's Best Kept Secret

Deep and rich in style, they are textbook examples of red Burgundy – in terms of balance, concentration and finesse they are rivalled by very few in the Côte. They capture the seductive, ethereal quality of Burgundian Pinot Noir in a manner seen only in the very best.

This modesty in his role as winemaker perhaps goes some way to explain the largely discreet approach from Domaine Michel Gaunoux in the market. Unlike most other highly rated Burgundy producers, Michel Gaunoux wines are not often seen at public and trade tastings, preferring enthusiasts to seek them out. For Alexandre, there is something important about the modesty with which you talk about your product; the way you produce it and sell it. Once again, the terroir should remain more prominent than the winemaker. 

The most respected yet the most low key domaine in Pommard, Domaine Michel Gaunoux is considered by its peers and the critics alike as THE reference of the appellation (Pommard). Allen Meadow called it one of the finest domaine in all Burgundy and it counts Michelin restaurants such as Taillevent, La Tour d'Argent and Guy Savoy, as well as the owner of DRC Aubert de Villaine as its royal long time clients. The late Michel Gaunoux was considered the most talented wine-maker of his time, building up the domaine's legendary status. Following his premature death in 1984, his widow and his son Alexandre took over and the style and quality remain the same.

Domaine Michel Gaunoux is very different - traditional and old school in the best possible way, creating Burgundies of a very high quality even by current standards - wines of beauty - and somehow beyond the new conventions of modern day Burgundian wines.

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