It’s not often you come across a grower in Burgundy with 16 hectares in the Côte de Nuits that you haven’t heard of before – let alone such elegant examples of Pinot Noir. It was a tip from our German-based English friend Stuart Pigott that piqued our interest.
Helene Michaut returned from her IT career in London and Paris to take over the estate after the untimely death of her sister in 2009. The property can trace its history back to the era of Louis XIV. For the past six generations the domaine has passed down the female side of the family. Men have been involved, notably Helene’s Grandfather and Father. Helene’s grandfather, Lucien Audidier, was from near Vienne in the northern Rhone and rose to director of agricultural services for the Landes and Loir-et-Cher regions. When Helene’s father Francois Audidier took over in 1994, he planted some blocks of Chardonnay and modernised the cellar. Bit by bit Helene has made her mark. She bought a nearby temperature controlled cellar in 2015, and instituted a more gentle wine-making regime.
Her super elegant Cote de Nuits Villages 2017 grabbed our attention. No fewer than four Nuits-Saint-Georges kept us riveted: Les Vallerots and three 1er Crus Vaucrains, Clos des Poulettes and Chaboeufs. Clos des Poulettes is a monopole, with walls on three sides (still defined as a ‘Clos’). The vines were planted by her grandfather and father. The vineyard is unusually steep and can’t be worked by tractor. Helene decided to use horses. She also has a tiny parcel of Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Suchots.
In March 2023 we were back to pick up lots more of the 2017 Côte de Nuits that flew following our first order. Helene had made it clear that we had to taste some of the 2022s, particularly the whites. Oh my! We could immediately see why she was excited. We were too. We scooped up some of these gorgeous 2022 whites in August 2023. Hats off to Helene and also to Fernando who has worked at the domaine for 30 years…so far.
