Charles Lachaux is one of Burgundy’s most exciting up-and-coming winemakers today. In addition to running his family winery, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, Charles founded his eponymous micro-négociant label a few years back, which is based in the heart of the hallowed Vosne-Romanée appellation. 

While Chardonnay is the obvious white variety of Burgundy, Charles became passionately inspired by the Aligoté grape. His family owned and formerly bottled Aligoté, though upon its falling out of fashion, began selling it off to négociants. It was ultimately Charles who decided to reclaim the family’s fruit and bottle it under his own label. Along with Aligoté, Charles vinified five additional wines for his inaugural vintage. While the Aligoté comes from his family vines, all other fruit is purchased from trusted friends, who farm in a responsible way that Charles sees fit. 

All fruit for Charles’ wines is picked by hand and vinified with native yeasts. Reds are vinified with 100% whole clusters and are macerated for less than two weeks. The main difference between the Arnoux-Lachaux wines and Charles’ négociant wines is their aging regimen, of which Charles’ wines are much shorter (less than one year versus 18 months). These incredible wines strike the perfect balance of being approachable in their youth, yet able to withstand long periods of aging in the cellar. 

In the vineyard, Charles allows his canopies to grow to soaring heights, and grass is encouraged to flourish between vineyard rows. It’s safe to say that Charles is one of the most progressive and forward-thinking winemakers in Burgundy today. His passion and dedication shine through each bottle produced at his hands. These wines are fresh, fruit-driven, and show an immensely profound character that rivals—if not surpasses—some of the region’s greatest names.