Sylvain Cathiard

This tiny Domaine was established by Sylvain Cathiard’s grandfather ( who worked for Domaine de la Romanee Conti and later for Domaine Lamarche) in the 1930s and was then further built and maintained by Sylvain’s father Andre from 1969 until 1985, when Sylvain himself became involved. The following year, Sylvain set up his own with parcels of vines rented from his father and other vignerons, before taking on his father’s original vineyards. From 2006, he was joined by his son, Sebastian, and they have formed the estate of Sylvain Cathiard et Fils and since 2011 Sebastien is running the domaine with Sylvain retiring.

Based in Vosne, his 5 hectares span Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny, with a very small parcel in Romanée-St-Vivant located directly below Romanee Conti where they are officially the smallest land-owner of this magnificent Grand cru. All vineyard work is carried out with meticulous attention to detail by Sebastien and his wife and a small dedicated team. All vineyard work is done on organic principles although Sebastien has not sought certification.

For winemaking Sebastien has a definite hands-off approach, preferring to do nothing rather than interfere with the natural development of the wines. He de-stems entirely, cold settles the juice for about 10 days and ferments the wines for between 22 and 30 days on skins. The new wines are matured for 18 months in oak of which about 90% is from tonellerie Remond and 10% from Francois Freres as follows: Village wines, roughly 1/3rd new oak and 2/3rds of 1 year old; 1er Crus, roughly 50% new oak and 50% 1 year old; Grand Cru, two new barrels and one one year old barrel. Since 2000 none of the wines are fined or filtered.

Sebastien Cathiards wines are incredibly harmonious, softly textured and very fine. Since taking over in 2011 Sebastien has been listening carefully to those few who get the privilege to taste with him and he has gradually reduced the percentage of new oak used for ageing. In a good vintage there are around 50 barrels produced in total across all appellations. His Vosne-Romanées in particular are now regarded among the best of the village. All wines offered here are from fully mature vineyards that have yielded fruit with wonderful natural intensity and balance. These wines represent artisan wine-making at its very best. Quantities are extremely limited and are offered first to previous faithful buyers.

Sébastien Cathiard on 2022:
Instead of tasting through Sébastien Cathiard’s 2022s in the barrel cellar, we convened in an arched, subterranean annex that will eventually be the Domaine’s furnished tasting room. It’s amazing to think how small it was when I began visiting his father a couple of decades ago – much has changed. Cathiard told me he picked from September 2 and finished eight days later in the Hautes-Côtes. That’s around the same time as others, and in that sense, I think he learned from 2020 when he did pick too late and suffered over-ripeness in his wines. Hence, in 2022, the maximum alcohol is 13.6%. The pH levels are around 3.50 to 3.60 thanks to more tartaric acid. He conducted a cuvaison of 22 to 27 days with five pigeages. The result is a different style to previous vintages. I feel the wines convey more restraint and covet their elegance from some of the most auspicious climats. They are polished like always, yet I think the terroir is articulated with greater clarity, with a couple of knockouts in the form of the Vosne Les Suchots, Malconsorts and, unsurprisingly, his Romanée-Saint-Vivant. These wines are not cheap even by Burgundy standards, though supply is very limited, and there appears to be sufficient demand to sustain them. But it is also worth seeing out a range of Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes. Neal Martin, Vinous Media January 2024

Talking of Sébastien’s extra plots “We have 8.35 hectares of vines in 2020 but for 2021, we are up to 12.5 hectares with new Bourgognes, aligoté and Hautes Côtes – I want more people to have access to our wines.”

2023 Bourgogne Aligote - very limited - allocation
A small amount of Aligote from vines located in the Hautes Cotes (95% of this comes from 30-80 yo vines in the village of Villers-la-Faye above Corgoloin and 5% from vines in Nuits St Georges planted in 2011). This bright pure white makes a brilliant addition to the Cathiard range, and what a great success this is. Pure fine and fresh this wine shows excellent depth and polish and great refreshment. Fermented and matured in stainless steel tank this is 100% de-stemmed (as are all his red wines) and shows Cathiards trademark intensity and purity.
2022 review
Bottled in April with the 2021 reds. Attractive pale colour, Fresh plum and greengage, with some volume. On the leaner side but with length and now some slightly fatter fruit appears. All in tank for the freshness. Drink from 2024-2027. 87 points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Coteaux Bourguignon rouge - very limited - allocation
Made from a parcel of vines inter-planted in 1981 with 60% Gamay and 40% Pinot Noir from the lieu-dit Croix Blanches located between Nuits and Vosne and aged in barrel - just 3 barrels produced. Perfumed seductive and full flavoured for such a humble appellation. Pure joy.
The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Gamay. A very pretty fresh pale purple. Light fresh raspberry, quite juicy then followed by high acidity. Fresh and crunchy with good length. Drink from 2024-2027. (86-87) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Bourgogne rouge - very limited - allocation
From a tiny 0.272 ha parcel of vines planted in 1987 located in Flagey opposite Clos Vougeot below the Village, and now a little from a second plot in Croix Blanche that sits between Vosne and Nuits, aged in used oak. Up to 7 barrels produced in a good vintage. Remarkably good wine that performs well above its humble appellation name.
Made from the original Cathiard parcel plus a new one in Croix Blanches since 2019. A fresh vivid medium purple. A clean crisp purple here, very enticing. Not immense in body but there is certainly enough fruit, a light youthful bitterness, cherry and raspberry fruit profile, fair length. Drink from 2025-2028. (87-89) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits rouge - very limited - allocation
A new addition to the range from 2.5 ha of 3 plots of vines in Villars Fontaine at 350m located above Nuits St Georges. 2021 is the first vintage of this wine to be released in 2023. Shows dark fruit spectrum and very fine tannins this is an excellent addition to the range which is beautifully balanced and for earlier drinking while waiting for village wines to mature.
This is the principle Hautes Côtes cuvée, grown in the commune of Villars, from several plots. Slightly denser in colour than the Bourgogne from the Côte. A slightly plumper raspberry fruit here, still a drier patch from the wood which will assimilate, and fair length. Medium succulent, the highest alcohol of the Hautes Côtes cuvées. Drink from 2025-2028. (87-88) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Aux Chaumes rouge - very limited - allocation
A 1.35ha vineyard located above Nuits St Georges. A place that holds its acidity well in the current climate – 380-400m altitude. Only about 1-2 days later maturing than the rest.
A medium depth of colour, with the most interesting perfume to date, a very fine raspberry with a floral topnote. A lovely balance between the fruit and the acidity, a striking elegance and very good length. Excellent. Drink from 2025-2028. (88-90) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Les Dames Huguettes rouge - very limited - allocation
A well renowned 1.45ha vineyard of 35-55 yo vines located in the Hautes Cotes above Nuits St Georges. A place that holds its acidity well and matures a day or two later than the estate vineyards in Nuits St Georges and Vosne Romanee.
A delightful ruby colour. Another fine perfume ere. Fresh red fruit, alpine strawberry, just a little lighter on this very limestone soil but another excellent finish. Drink from 2025-2028. (88-89) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Gevrey Chambertin  - very limited - allocation
From the lieu-dit of Champs Franc directly below the village of Gevrey Chambertin. This parcel is newly leased by Sebastien Cathiard with 2019 being the first vintage. All vineyard work is carried out by Sebastiens vineyard team. The tannins in this wine are notably very fine. Located below the village the vineyard where some clay over the limestone base is more prominent.
Bright mid crimson. Starts on the leaner side before some riper fruit with a floral topnote starts to emerge. Then a pure strawberry fruit of medium density, a few tannins from the wood, then a clean long finish with acidulated fresh red fruit. Drink from 2027-2032. (89-91) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Vosne-Romanée  - very limited - allocation
From 5 parcels of vines from 4 different lieu-dits of less than 1 hectare in total planted from 1945 to 1985 located below the village, aged in 40% new oak, 60% 1 y.o. oak. Since taking over from Sylvain, Sebastien has reduced the percentage of new oak for all wines and taken this domaine to a new level. A stunning village Vosne.
A fresh bright ruby purple. The bouquet is exquisite, fine, precise yet with a generosity of fruit beneath. Raspberry with a touch of cherry. This is spot on, less evidently seductive than a Sylvain Cathiard wine would have been at the same stage, but an excellent example of what Sébastien can achieve. The quality is in the length. Super fresh finish, a fine boned acidity giving the tension. Drink from 2028-2035. (92-94) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Chambolle-Musigny Le Clos de l’Orme - very limited - allocation
From 0.427 ha of vines mostly planted 1935 (85%) and 1992 (15%) which are located near the village just below premier cru Les Charmes, aged in 40% new oak, 60% 1 y.o. oak. This is a very intense vibrant and dark fruited wine with great perfume and concentration that is rarely found in village level wines.
An attractive plump purple. A little softer in fruit style and showing the oak a touch more, overall a touch more on the voluptuous side. Very attractive, with a fine long finish. Drink from 2026-2032. (90-91) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Thorey - very limited - allocation
From a 0.43 ha parcel of vines planted 1953 located high up on the slope not far from the Vosne Romanee border, aged in 50% new oak, 50% 1 yo oak. These were vines which Sylvain worked en mettayage for Moillard for many years and when the opportunity came to purchase this plot he bought the vineyard in 2006. From a higher cooler and more mineral site this wine always has a very striking perfume and elegance that really can not be mistaken for any of the other wines in the cellar. Always a favourite.
A solid purple. A bright ripe plummy fruit comes up on the nose. There is clearly more weight here than the village wines, with the fruit hovering between red and black notes, equally distributed across the palate. Medium acidity, a balance between charm and precision. Sound and quite long. Drink from 2029-2035. (90-93) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers - very limited - allocation
From .0476 ha of vines planted 1945 and 1960 which are located mid-slope quite close the Vosne Romanee border. Aged in 50% new oak, 50% 1 yo oak. This is always a wine of great depth and generosity with real density showing from very old vines. Harmonious plush tannins and great mid-palate, this is an outstanding 1er cru Nuits St Georges. Hedonistic Burgundy at its best.
Five new barrels in nine. A lively purple colour. The bouquet shows some of the headier qualities of Vosne-Romanée allied to the ballast of Nuits-St-Georges. No black fruit notes in this wine, purely concentrated red berries backed by both acidity and tannins, leading to a fine long finish. Very satisfactory. Drink from 2030-2037. (93-95) points, Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru En Orveaux - very limited - allocation
From a tiny parcel of less than 0.3 ha of north-east facing vines planted in 1953 located very close to Grand Cru Echezeaux, aged in 50% new oak, 50% 1 yo oak. Produces just 3 barrels in a good year of finely structured more mineral wine of great perfume and spice. Not far from the Chambolle border and it always shows in it finesse and perfume.
Mid purple, super perfumed on the nose, delicate red berries with a little overcoat of vanilla. A core density to the fruit, now showing more wild strawberries, on the palate, less finesse than Reignots but an intensity which is very pleasing. Drink from 2030-2037. (93-95), Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots - very limited - allocation
From a tiny 0.163 ha of vines planted 1969 on the lower part of the vineyard with richer soil which borders on to Grand cru Echezeaux. Aged in 50% new oak, 50% 1 yo oak. Just 3 barrels produced in a normal vintage. This is always a very deep and intense wine with layers of fruit and seemingly endless depth.
A clear ruby colour. The nose starts all in elegance, quite floral, fine and delicate, very few tannins, more a fine tensile strength through the middle, delicate raspberry notes, and very good length as the wine climbs up the other side of the Suchots valley. Drink from 2030-2037. (93-96), Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Reignots  - very limited - allocation
From the youngest vines of the domaine, planted in 1997 located above Grand Cru La Romanee. With holdings totaling 0.2468 ha located in the middle of the vineyard, Cathiard is the second largest landowner from this tiny 1er cru vineyard producing 5 barrels in a good vintage. The wine aged in 50% new oak, 50% 1 yo oak.
The Reignots offers a brilliant perfume, a little redcurrant livening up the other red berries and cherries. Starts with this pure and precise fruit then builds very attractively on the palate. A little vanilla from the oak but the fruit is more than equal to the wood tannins. 60% new wood for this cuvée. Drink from 2030-2037. (93-96), Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts  - very limited - allocation
From 0.74 ha of vines planted early 1970’s located close to Grand Cru La Tache, aged in 2/3rds new oak, 1/3rd 1 yo oak. A wine of rare breed and depth of Grand cru quality and dimension.
A fine bright ruby purple. As always, this cuvée has an extra density over and above the other fine Vosne premiers crus. Indeed, there is so much volume of fruit here, while never becoming over opulent. Welcome back to a first-class vintage of Malconsorts! The finish is exceptionally long, with a useful thread of fine boned acidity extending it further. The tannins are completely integrated. Stunning! So fine, such precision. Drink from 2030-2040. (96-98), Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024

2022 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru  - very limited - allocation
From 0.1673 ha of vines planted 1919 aged in 2 new barrels and 1 one year old barrel. Cathiard is the smallest land owner of this Grand Cru making 3 barrels in a good vintage. This holding was purchased in 1984 from Thomas Moillard after many years of share-cropping for the Moillard family. This arrangement was begun in 1941 so it is possible that the Cathiard family have been producing from this site since that time. The Cathiard plot adjoins the village in a direct line below Romanee Conti and La Romanee and 1er cru Reignots.
A glowing fresh purple. The bouquet of the Romanée St-Vivant always takes more teasing out than the flamboyant Malconsorts. It is just in the intensity of the fruit in the mouth and the refinement of the finish. Less immediate than the Malconsorts, indeed with much more in reserve, but the quality of the finish shows that all will arrive in due course. Drink from 2032-2040+.
(96-98), Jasper Morris M.W., Inside Burgundy, January 2024