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Domaine Audiffred
Vosne-Romanée · Bourgogne
Domaine Audiffred is one of those addresses few people have heard of, and few forget after tasting the wines. Five hectares, very small quantities, and a range that lands surprisingly high from the first wine to Aux Reignots.
Behind the domaine
Henri og Benoît Audiffred
Henri Audiffred is direct, cheerful and entirely without any need to make a fuss of himself. He talks about the vineyards, the vintage and the work. That makes sense, because his expertise was built in the vineyard. From 1993 to 2007 he worked at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti on pruning, relevage, soil work, treatments and the enjambeur. Among other things, he was responsible for their Richebourg.
Fourteen years at that level sets a standard that does not fade. At Audiffred it shows in the timing, in the pure fruit, and in an almost instinctive understanding of when to act and when to leave the wine in peace. Henri returned to the family's five hectares in 2007, and today his son Benoît works closely alongside him.
Henri has never spent energy on raising the domaine's public profile. The wines have built the reputation. They are complete, pure and classical without being rustic, and the best bottles have the particular spiced depth that makes Vosne-Romanée so compelling. Audiffred is one of the strongest hidden addresses in Rarité's portfolio.
Vineyards and cellar
Five hectares from Gevrey to Pommard
Domaine Audiffred farms around five hectares across the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. Vosne-Romanée is the centre, with village wine from Basses Maizières, Vigneux and Au-dessus de la Rivière, separate cuvées from Aux Chalandins and Aux Champs-Perdrix, and the premier cru Aux Reignots on the high slope above La Romanée and Romanée-Conti.
Morey-Saint-Denis combines Les Bras and Les Bas de Chenevery. Nuits-Saint-Georges village comes from Les Allots and Aux Tuyaux, while Les Argillats is bottled separately. To this come Gevrey-Chambertin Les Marchais, Aloxe-Corton Les Valozières, Pommard En Mareau and Beaune Chaume Gaufriot. It is an unusually broad range for such a small domaine, and both the level and the character are remarkably consistent throughout.
The red wines are fully destemmed. After a short cold pre-maceration they ferment spontaneously and are usually raised for 12–18 months in used barrels. The wines are bottled at the domaine without filtration. The method is simple, but the execution is precise. The fruit stands pure, the tannin is firm and fine, and the differences between the appellations come through clearly.
The wines
Beaune, Chaume Gaufriot Village · Rød
Pinot Noir · Beaune lieu-dit · the domaine has historically also produced a white version from the area
A juicy, open Beaune with red cherries, forest floor and fine tannins. It is the most immediate wine in the range, yet still carries Audiffred's clean line and sure balance. An excellent introduction to the domaine.
Aloxe-Corton, Les Valozières Village
Pinot Noir · lieu-dit in Aloxe-Corton by the Corton hill
Les Valozières is darker, more earthbound and firmer in structure. It shows black cherries, spices and a cool mineral grip. With air a fine perfume emerges, and the wine shows how elegant Aloxe-Corton can be in the right hands.
Pommard, En Mareau Village
Pinot Noir · single lieu-dit in Pommard
Pommard with deep fruit and a firm, fine-grained tannin. Audiffred keeps it free of heaviness, so dark cherries, stone and spice stand clear. It has charm in its youth and enough substance to develop beautifully.
Morey-Saint-Denis Village
Blend of Les Bras and Les Bas de Chenevery
A classical, precise Morey with dark berries, violet, spices and a dry, stony finish. The combination of the two lieux-dits gives both open fruit and a firmer core. One of the most complete village wines in the range.
Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Marchais Village
Pinot Noir · single lieu-dit in Gevrey-Chambertin
Les Marchais is broader and darker in fruit, with forest floor, black cherries and a clear Gevrey structure. Used barrels and full destemming keep the expression pure. The wine gains complexity with every year in bottle.
Nuits-Saint-Georges Village
Blend of Les Allots and Aux Tuyaux
An upright Nuits-Saint-Georges with dark cherries, pepper and a firm tannin. It has the necessary power, but Audiffred's work gives the fruit air and makes the structure precise. A very classical expression of the appellation.
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Argillats Village
Single lieu-dit north of the town, on the Vosne side
Les Argillats is cooler, more mineral and more perfumed than the blended Nuits. Red berries, herbs and stone sit above a firm acidity. A wine for those who love the fine, spiced side of Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Vosne-Romanée Village
Blend of Basses Maizières, Vigneux and Au-dessus de la Rivière
The domaine's Vosne village is one of the great experiences in the range. Roses, dark raspberries, sweet spices and a silken tannin make for a wine of clear appellation character. It is complete, serious and far more complex than the label suggests.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Chalandins Village
Single lieu-dit in the lower part of Vosne-Romanée
Aux Chalandins is the brightest and most aromatic of Audiffred's Vosne wines. Red berries, tea, herbs and spices flow through a light, saline texture. It has an immediate charm and a precision that make it hard to put down.
Vosne-Romanée, Aux Champs-Perdrix Village
Single lieu-dit high in Vosne-Romanée
Aux Champs-Perdrix is denser and more spiced, with darker fruit and more grip. The high position brings freshness and a stony finish. The wine has the typical Vosne perfume but needs a little more time than Chalandins.
Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, Aux Reignots Premier Cru
High-lying premier cru above La Romanée and Romanée-Conti
Aux Reignots is the crown jewel of the domaine. The nose is intense with roses, spices and dark berries, while the palate carries a deep mineral tension and immense length. The site is one of Vosne's most spectacular, and Audiffred's wine has the authority, complexity and ageing capacity the vineyard deserves.
Current vintages, formats and quantities appear on the price list. The smallest cuvées are distributed by allocation.