Domaine de L’Arlot – A Burgundy Estate in Perfect Balance

Domaine de L’Arlot – A Burgundy Estate in Perfect Balance.

On the southern edge of Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the quiet village of Prémeaux-Prissey, lies Domaine de L’Arlot, a Burgundy estate that perfectly captures the region’s duality between history and evolution. This is a place where the boundaries between vineyard, forest, and garden dissolve into a single living landscape—an amphitheater of vines shaped by limestone and the passage of time.

Domaine de L’Arlot is not only a producer of elegant wines; it is a keeper of memory. Every detail of its environment—the soil, the slope, the biodiversity—seems to echo the philosophy behind its wines: finesse through balance, purity through restraint.

The Character of Place

Domaine de L’Arlot’s strength lies in its trio of monopoles: Clos du Chapeau, Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges, and Clos de l’Arlot. Each vineyard is a self-contained expression of terroir, entirely managed by the estate from soil to bottle. This autonomy allows a level of consistency and control that few domaines in Burgundy can claim.

The vineyards are farmed organically, guided by biodynamic principles that respect biodiversity and soil health. The property itself feels more like a natural park than a monoculture—fruit trees, herbs, and native plants are woven into the viticultural landscape, creating a delicate ecosystem that underpins the finesse of the wines.

From the deeper, clay-rich soils of Clos des Forêts to the limestone purity of Clos de l’Arlot, each parcel contributes a different voice to the domaine’s chorus. What unites them all is an unmistakable sense of restraint, balance, and precision.

A Legacy Refined

Founded in the 19th century by the Viennot family, later expanded under Jules Belin, and since 1987 owned by AXA Millésimes, Domaine De L’Arlot has never strayed from its Burgundian soul. Each custodian has acted as a guardian rather than a reformer, preserving the integrity of the monopoles while embracing gentle innovation.

Since 2014, Géraldine Godot has been the creative and technical force guiding this evolution. A trained microbiologist, she approaches winemaking with both scientific understanding and intuitive sensitivity. Under her hand, de L’Arlot’s wines have gained a new level of purity and texture, adapting gracefully to the warmer vintages that characterize modern Burgundy.

While the estate was long known for its use of whole-cluster fermentation, Godot has, in recent years, transitioned toward destemmed fruit to maintain brightness and tension. This subtle shift marks not a departure from tradition, but a thoughtful response to changing conditions—an evolution in pursuit of harmony.

Red and White in Nuits-Saint-Georges

One of the estate’s most distinctive features is the production of both red and white wines within its walled monopoles—something exceptionally rare in the Côte de Nuits. The Clos de L’Arlot Blanc is a stunning example of Chardonnay thriving in Pinot Noir country, producing wines that combine richness with an almost Chablis-like minerality.

Encouraged by this success, new Chardonnay plantings in the Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges reflect a forward-looking approach to Burgundy’s changing climate. These decisions embody the domaine’s spirit: deeply rooted, yet never static.

The Wines of Domaine De L’Arlot

Our interview concluded with a focused tasting that offered a complete portrait of the estate’s range—from the approachable charm of Clos du Chapeau to the depth and complexity of Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges, and the crystalline refinement of Clos de L’Arlot Blanc. Each wine reaffirmed the domaine’s philosophy of elegance through restraint and its seamless balance between nature and craft.

2022 Clos du Chapeau

Côte de Nuits Villages | Monopole | Pinot Noir

The gateway to the domaine’s style, the 2022 Clos du Chapeau shows remarkable precision and brightness. The nose opens with red currant, wild strawberry, and a hint of cranberry, lifted by herbal notes reminiscent of tomato leaf and fresh thyme. Despite the youthful vibrancy, there’s no greenness—just freshness and clarity.

On the palate, the wine glides with understated power. Silky tannins frame a core of pure red fruit, underpinned by a savory, earthy nuance that adds depth and complexity. Medium-bodied yet persistent, it finishes with surprising length and a gentle mineral touch.

90/100 DWA score – Bright, graceful, and quietly complex. A perfect introduction to the Domaine’s finesse.

2014 Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru | Monopole | Pinot Noir

The 2014 Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges is a study in balance and refinement. The nose is captivating—black raspberry, ripe strawberry, and cranberry intertwined with rose petal, crushed stone, and a touch of forest floor. It feels both floral and earthy, classic yet expressive.

The palate is medium-bodied with a beautiful interplay between freshness and structure. Fine-grained tannins carry flavors of red plum and black cherry, with underlying mineral tension that keeps everything focused and energetic. While not the most powerful vintage, it excels in transparency and precision.

93/100 DWA score – Graceful, aromatic, and finely poised, with years of pleasure ahead.

2018 Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru | Monopole | Pinot Noir

In 2018, Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges reveals a darker, more muscular expression of the terroir. Aromas of black cherry, blueberry, and wild strawberry mingle with notes of spice, licorice, violet, and a faint echo of smoked meat. The fruit feels generous yet refined, wrapped in a subtle frame of oak.

The palate is concentrated and textural, showing fine powdery tannins and a supple mid-palate that cloaks the wine’s structure in fruit. Despite its power, balance remains impeccable, with acidity and minerality guiding the long, focused finish. Still youthful, it will reward patience as the tannins soften and the details unfurl.

94/100 DWA score – Deep, structured, and beautifully proportioned. A wine of energy and endurance.

2020 Clos de l’Arlot Blanc

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru | Monopole | Chardonnay

A rare white from the Côte de Nuits, the 2020 Clos de L’Arlot Blanc demonstrates the extraordinary potential of Chardonnay on this limestone-rich site. The nose is expressive yet refined, with layers of pear, green apple, white peach, and lemon zest, complemented by hints of hazelnut and crushed stone.

On the palate, it is precise and textural. A fine thread of acidity carries the fruit through a long, saline finish, balancing richness with tension. The texture is both generous and taut, with chalky minerality giving shape to its fleshy core. This is a white Burgundy of clarity and composure—one that gains complexity with every minute in the glass.

90/100 DWA score – Elegant, mineral, and perfectly balanced. A distinctive expression of Chardonnay in the Côte de Nuits.

Timeless Burgundy

Domaine De L’Arlot represents the best of Burgundy’s understated brilliance. It is a place where tradition and progress coexist, where the past informs the future, and where the wines speak softly but with unmistakable authority.

Each monopole offers a glimpse into a singular landscape—one defined by limestone, precision, and patience. Whether red or white, these wines remind us that true beauty in Burgundy lies not in opulence, but in restraint and quiet confidence.

This article is written by our own Niels Aarts. Our sincere thanks go to Domaine De L’Arlot and its talented winemaker Géraldine Godot for their hospitality and openness, and to their importer De Bruijn in Wijnen, who kindly supported our meeting and offers these wines to those who wish to experience them firsthand—and to discover, through their glass, the timeless character of Nuits-Saint-Georges.