David Duband

Regarded as one of the rising stars of Burgundy, David Duband took over his family domaine a very young age and now has more than 20 vintages of experience behind him. Starting with very small family holdings David, together with his business partner Francois Feuillet, have added to his portfolio of wines through the purchase of some exceptional old Grand cru vineyards throughout Gevrey Chambertin and Morey St Denis.

In recent years David has adapted his work in both the vineyards and cellars and in the last few years is producing wines with not only remarkable finesse and detail but also exhilarating intensity and freshness. Working organically in the vineyards and with low levels of S02 in the cellar he also uses a relatively high percentage of whole bunch ferment and a low percentage of new oak for ageing and this is adapted to each wine as it needs. This results in wines of striking purity with fabulous depth and intensity without sacrificing the details of the origins of each parcel of grapes. These are wines showing terroir and the soil signature of the fruit for each parcel above all else. These are wines that are built to age classically and gracefully.

2022 vintage
”I was very pleased to hook up with him again, and rediscover his fragrant red wines, made with the lightest of touches. He started picking on 3rd September. His take on the wines is that they have retained a cool effect despite the solar nature of the year and, at least by analysis, the lower acidity. David adds no sulphur during vinification but adjusts at later stages, as necessary. He uses a significant proportion of whole bunch vinification, two-thirds for regional and village wines, three-quarters for 1ers Crus and 90% for Grands Crus. He is now starting to tread the grapes more often, so as to dseparate them from the stems and allow all the sugar to finish fermenting in the vat, rather than more being released later after pressing. The wines will be bottled between February and April.” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Bourgogne – Hautes Côtes de Nuits Cuvée Louis-Auguste
This wine comes from vineyards close to the winery in Chevannes – named in honour of David’s son, Louis-Auguste. The high altitude combined with some of the domaine’s oldest vines (over 55 years in age) tends to produce a wine of concentration, especially in warm vintages. A cuvée that never disappoints, it’s clearly outperforming in 2022.
”Foudres and barrels, 20% new wood. Mid purple, super sensual nose with rose petals on top of pretty red berry fruit. This is elegant stylish and very long on the palate. Delicious. Drink from 2025-2027. (87-89)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Gevrey-Chambertin
”85% is from the Brochon side. Mid crimson, another translucent colour. A little more strawberry in the nose, with the fruit here being spread very nicely across the palate, a little more density all the way through and an additional weight of fruit at the back. A lovely example in this style. Drink from 2028-2034. (90-93)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Nuits St. Georges
From La Charmotte, Aux Saints-Juliens, Brûlées and Les Plateaux. “Fresh purple, a little less evidently whole bunch, a solid raspberry and strawberry fruit, perhaps more at the front than the back. Medium to low acidity, refined tannins, fair length. Drink from 2028-2034. (89-91)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Chambolle Musigny (no Vosne Romanee in 2022 as 90% of the vineyard replanted)
From average 50 yo vines in the lieu dits of Les Chardannes and Les Herbues which are located lower down the slope from Bonnes Mares. Vinified with about 70% whole bunch and around 30% new oak. Very finely perfumed and with excellent depth for village. Very Chambolle in character with perfume and finesse and the fine silky tannins so typical of Chambolle.

2022 Morey St. Denis “Clos Sorbé” 1er cru
”A mid crimson colour. The bouquet is a little bit sterner, with the sauvage character (not evident in the village wine) more of a red fruit perfume on the palate along with a touch of blood orange, a lovely finish. Very graceful, a wine of medium concentration but significant length. Drink from 2030-2036. (91-94)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Nuits St. Georges “Aux Thorey” 1 er cru
”Pink purple, more in fruit, less in flowers, yet with a white pepper crunch at the back. This is a graceful Nuits, but could use a little more energy perhaps. Drink from 2030-2035. (91-93)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Nuits St. Georges “Les Procès” 1er cru
This beautifully sited vineyard sits directly above Nuits St Georges adjoining 1er cru Les Pruliers. Average age of vines more than 35+yo and this is one the “sweet-spot” wines of his portfolio always showing excellent expression and balance with notable floral lift to the aromas giving a very attractive and accessible wine with notable elegance yet remarkable depth.

2022 Chambolle-Musigny “Les Sentiers” 1er cru
”Good pink purple colour with a burst of cherry infused energy, excellent intensity here, a couple of tannins to resolve – Sentiers is on the Morey side after all - but with plenty of weight for longer term ageing. Drink from 2030-2037. (91-94)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Echézeaux Grand cru
“A fine mid crimson, not much nose, definitely a savoury touch here, crushed strawberry and a herbal (not herbaceous) note as well. A significant volume of fruit here, yet still nuanced, enhanced by a gorgeous finish. Drink from 2030-2038. (94-96)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Charmes-Chambertin Grand cru
From a 0.65 ha parcel of 90 yo vines located in Mazoyeres-Chambertin from those purchased from the Louis Remy holdings. Vinified with 70% whole bunch and 40% new oak. Very perfumed and expansive aromas. At this early stage the wine is quite closed on the palate showing very fine tannins and all the finesse and delicacy that is typical of this Grand cru that borders Chambertin.
“A Charmes-Chambertin which is in fact from Mazoyères. Fine medium deep colour. Darker fruit with a light chocolate note behind the strawberries. Very satisfying. Fills the mouth, I would put the class of Clos de la Roche just a notch ahead, but this is an excellent Charmes. Drink from 2030-2037. (95-97)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Latricières-Chambertin Grand cru
From a .30 ha parcel of 55 yo vines in the heart of the appellation between the vines of Leroy and Chantal Remy.
“Mid crimson purple. Some delicacy to the nose, cherry and rosewater, rather stylish. This keeps its power until the back of the palate and then delivers it forcefully, still needing a lot of time. Liquorice notes at the finish. Drink from 2032-2039. (95-97)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Chambertin Grand cru
From a .22 ha parcel. “Mid purple. There is immediate nobility on the nose, terroir trumping vinification easily. David has crafted a gorgeous expression, showing the more feminine side of Chambertin in the aromatics but with a virile backbone as well. Perhaps front loaded, yet very long and so graceful for a wine of this power. Drink from 2032-2040+. (96-98)” Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

Last few bottles of some older vintages

2018 vintage
“David Duband, who exploits, among other vines, the former Jacky Truchot parcels, as well as consults for the Louis Max wines, succinctly told me that 2018 is a “vintage that I’m actually very happy with as far as the results are concerned. There were a few ups and downs during the growing season with some mildew in the early going, and then spots of hail in Nuits during July but otherwise the season was fairly calm if very hot and dry. I started picking on the 3rd of September and brought in very generous yields, at least for us, which is to say between 38 and 48 hl/ha. Potential alcohols were really very reasonable given how hot it was, ranging from 12.5 to 13.3%. I used from 60 to 95% whole clusters and basically had no real problems with the vinifications though I did monitor them very carefully. As the style of the wines, they’re not nearly as marked by the high heat of the vintage as I thought that they might be and they also express their respective terroirs very well. I like them.” Burghound.com, January 2020

2018 Latricières-Chambertin Grand cru
From a .30 ha parcel of 55 yo vines in the heart of the appellation between the vines of Leroy and Chantal Remy.

2017 vintage
‘David Duband told me that 2017 was a “relatively generous vintage where we enjoyed both good yields and good maturities, which is not always the case as it’s sometimes one or the other but not both. There fruit was also very clean, and all that it was necessary to do was to eliminate berries that weren’t ripe. As is typical for me I used quite a bit of whole clusters in the vinifications, which is to say around 60% for the entry level wines, 75% for the 1ers and about 90% for the grands crus. Regarding the wines, they’re lighter in style but I like the sense of energy, freshness and transparency. They’re not really built for long aging but they may very well surprise people as to how well they can age simply because they’re so well-balanced.” Burghound January 2019

2017 Charmes-Chambertin Grand cru 750ml + 375ml
”From the Mazoyères section. Fine medium red, this is really beautiful on the nose, elegant and constantly changing. This is not much more than medium bodied but the fruit sings, light red fruit, a little bit of orange blossom. Elegant wine. Tasted: December 2018” (93-96 points), Jasper Morris MW
’Duband's 2017 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru is firmer and more structured, and this is one wine that will need a little time. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cherries, licorice, anise and cinnamon, as well as a lifted top note of potpourri, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy, displaying a broad-shouldered chassis of powdery tannin.’ 93+ points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, Feb 2020
‘(from a .65 ha parcel in Mazoyères). A beautifully layered nose assembles very fresh notes of red currant, violet, lavender and earth undertones. There is both good punch and delineation to the succulent and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors that possess a supple mid-palate that contrasts markedly with the dusty, focused and youthfully austere finish that is sufficiently firm to make clear that this is going to require at least moderate patience. (90-93)/2032+’ Burghound January 2019

2017 Latricières-Chambertin Grand cru 375ml
From a .30 ha parcel of 55 yo vines in the heart of the appellation between the vines of Leroy and Chantal Remy.
”Displaying the usual palish Duband colour, the nose is light and floral, there is elegance to this, florally graceful, but perhaps it lacks a little bit of fruit weight. The finish is long but I need a bit more substance perhaps for Latricières. Tasted: December 2018” (92-95 points), Jasper Morris MW
‘A perfumed and distinctly cool red currant and pomegranate-suffused nose possesses a plenitude of floral and spice aromas. The sleek, seductive and intensely mineral-inflected middle weight flavors possess fine mid-palate density while displaying excellent length on the balanced if strict finish. This too is going to require at least moderate patience and reward 15 years or more. (91-93)/2032+’ Burghound January 2019

2015 Nuits St Georges
’(from La Charmotte, Aux Saints-Juliens and Les Plateaux). A cool and ripe nose once again presents a markedly different aromatic profile with its ripe yet cool array of sauvage-tinged aromas of red and dark berries, freshly turned earth and humus nuances. There is excellent delineation and verve to the utterly delicious medium weight flavors that terminate in a saline, clean, focused and beautifully intense and persistent finish. Lovely juice. (89-91)/2022+’ Burghound January 2018

2014 vintage
”David Duband, who now also works with Maison Louis Max (see herein), exploits, among other vines, the former Jacky Truchot parcels, told me that 2014 “had a much easier growing season to manage compared to either 2012 or 2013. The season began well and for the first time since 2009 the flowering passed well so yields were actually comfortable. About the only concern that we had was the Suzukii flies and I really didn’t have any issues with them save for a parcel of young vines. I chose to begin the harvest on the 13th of September and there was moderate sorting required. Potential alcohols were good if not really high as they ranged from 12 to 13.3%. I used between 50 to 80% whole clusters in the vinifications and the fermentations finished without any problems. As to the wines, in my view they should drink well young as they’re essentially based on their fruit. In fact I would describe them as resembling more concentrated 2007s.” Burghound.com, January 2016

2014 Chambertin Grand cru
’(from vines next to Leroy, with both parcels coming from the original Domaine Remy estate; vinified with 100% whole clusters): Moderately saturated medium red. Outstanding finesse and lift to the perfumed aromas of rose petal, spices and earth. Wonderfully suave and deep, displaying outstanding nuance and energy to the seamless flavors of red fruits, flowers, minerals and spices; more red than black in character. Finishes with noble tannins and outstanding rising length. Utterly palate-staining but with zero impression of heaviness. Superb, classy Chambertin in the making.’ (92-95) Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media, Jan 2016

2013 vintage
”David Duband, who now exploits, among other vines, the former Jacky Truchot parcels, told me that “I thought 2012 was the most difficult vintage I had ever encountered…..until 2013 arrived! Imagine if you can that we had snow on the 23rd of May in the Hautes Côtes! I was beyond flabbergasted when I saw snow falling that late into the spring. Then, just as we did in 2012, the flowering in 2013 passed very poorly and of course this always has a negative effect on yields. In the end we realized just a bit more volume in 2013 than in 2012 but not much more. The poor weather continued in June and July and for the first half of August. Then conditions improved for a month up to the middle of September and then unfortunately began to degrade all over again. I elected to begin picking on the 2nd of October and we did our utmost to target each parcel exactly when we thought it was the optimal time. This can be tricky as sometimes several parcels are ready at the same time and at other times you have dead spots while you’re waiting. While rot was a problem in certain sectors in others we had almost none at all. I used quite a bit of whole clusters in the vinifications, indeed a number of them were 100%. As to the wines I love this vintage. They’re super energetic, fresh and each wine is distinctly different. I think clients who enjoy classically styled burgundies will love 2013 too as there really isn’t anything not to like.” Burghound.com, January 2015

2013 Vosne-Romanee
15 barrels from 2 plots of vines located in “Les Barreaux” (about 90% of the blend) which borders Grand cru Richebourg and the great 1er cru Cros Parantoux, high on the slope above the village and from “Aux Ormes” (about 10% of the blend) which lies on the northern side of the village and further down-slope from Romanee St Vivant. Exceptional complexity and depth for villages level and will age superbly. “While this is also notably floral there is a much broader range of spice elements present on the elegant nose of raspberry, violet and pomegranate aromas. The suave, round and succulent medium weight flavors possess plenty of mid-palate stuffing before terminating in a rich if ever-so-mildly austere and firm finish that delivers excellent length for a villages level wine. Recommended. (89-91)/2020+” Burghound.com January 2015

2013 Chambertin Grand cru
Just 2 barrels produced from 50+60 yo vines vinified with 90% whole bunch. “(from a .22 ha parcel). A deft application of wood frames ripe, pure and airy aromas that are classic Gevrey with a broad array of floral, wild red berry fruit, earth, humus and a hint of the sauvage. The broad-shouldered and muscular flavors possess excellent mid-palate concentration along with firm but relatively fine-grained tannins before culminating in a beautifully balanced, robust and strikingly long finish that is less austere than it usually is. Like several of the wines in the range, this is very clearly built to age and so patience will definitely be required. (92-94)/2028+” Burghound.com January 2015