Maison Capitain-Gagnerot Is One Of The Burgundy Winemakers We Befriended
In our lives we meet many people, but the ones who tend to live longest in the memory are the exceptional teachers we’re lucky enough to meet. These people introduce us to new ideas, offer unique perspectives, and gift us lessons which last a lifetime. Such was the case when here at burgundywine.com we first met Roger Capitain, one of the finest Burgundy winemakers of all. He inherited the remarkable Domaine Capitain-Gagnerot after World War II, (established much earlier, in 1802).
One Friday evening in the fall of 1984, the man who gave us our first real job in France took us to the Maison Capitain-Gagnerot, claiming that this is what authentic Burgundy is all about. For the next 15 years, until his passing in 1999, Roger taught us the essence of Burgundy and showcased what true elegance and finesse look like.
Roger and his two sons, Michel and Patrice, inherited 3 hectares of vines, but they have expanded this to an impressive 16 hectares. Today, Pierre François and Delphine, Patrice’s children, oversee the estate’s future, supported by their families. Many of their vineyards are planted using ‘selection massale,’ which means they propagate the vines from old, pre-clonal stock rather than using modern clones. As part of their commitment to sustainability, the estate has been Ecocert certified since the 2021 vintage.
The Finest Burgundy Winemakers At burgundywine.com
The appellations produced by Capitain-Gagnerot are among the finest in all of Burgundy and should be included on the list of any enthusiast of exceptional small appellation wines. burgundywine.com offers them all:
Aloxe-Corton – Finest Burgundy Wines
This appellation (pronounced “Alosse”) first appears in the history books in the year 696 so it has been around for a while… it connects the Côte de Nuits with the Côte de Beaune and encompasses the villages of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny. It contains 14 Premiers Crus vineyards, and Capitain-Gagnerot produces an Aloxe Corton 1er Cru ‘Les Moutottes.‘ This vineyard has been in the Capitain family for generations, with vines over 70 years old planted in classic Aloxe-Corton Oxfordian limestone. The result? ‘Les Moutottes’ is structured, muscular, and dense, with abundant black fruit. Wondering whether this wine is oaked? All of this winemaker’s red wines use just 10% new oak, so that the fine fruit flavors and notes of the terroir are preserved.
Ladoix – Lesser Known But Quality Burgundy
The name of this village means ‘water spring’, and for many, this is apt, as the appellation signifies new beginnings and new chances to sample one of the lesser-known appellations that we love so much. Produced in Ladoix-Serrigny, the Ladoix appellation includes 11 Premiers Crus. It shares its reputation with Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses due to the renowned wines of the Corton mountain. The Capitain Ladoix 1er Cru ‘La Micaude’ is our Burgundy benchmark, from vines that sit in such thick limestone that they had to use a jackhammer to break it up when planting!
Clos de Vougeot Wines from Our Cellar
With over 120 acres planted and around 50 Burgundy winemakers, Clos Vougeot is the largest single Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy. With deep roots in Burgundian tradition, the walled vineyard has historically been regarded as an integral whole. However, not all sections of Clos Vougeot qualify for Grand Cru status. Therefore, potential buyers should be cautious. We are pleased to say that the small parcel owned by Maison Capitain is located in the heart of the finest zone, adjacent to Grands Échezeaux (on the other side of the wall!). Capitain Clos Vougeot represents true Clos Vougeot. They offer an incredible Clos Vougeot ‘Quartier de Marei Haut’ Grand Cru which showcases the very best of this appellation.
Vosne-Romanée – Jewel in the Burgundy Crown
Vosne-Romanée occupies a central location in the Côte de Nuits but is renowned for producing the pinnacle of quality Burgundian wines. Some know it as the jewel in Burgundy’s crown – and there is no shortage of contenders for that name. Some of the very best Burgundy winemakers in the world call this place home. The Capitain Gagnerot Vosne-Romanée ‘Aux Raviolles’ is a stunning red with notes of black fruit and spices. It exemplifies balanced power, being both velvety and fresh—a classic Vosne characterized by the phrase “a fist in a velvet glove.”
A Big Reputation at Home and Abroad
Capitain-Gagnerot sells approximately 80% of their production directly in France, much of which is available ‘out the door.’ Thy export most of the remainder, primarily to individual customers. They really value the personal connections they forge with their clients and often deliver the wine themselves. This means they remain something of a well kept secret, but one that you can now be a part of. After all, our mission at BurgundyWine.com is to bring outstanding small-scale producers like Capitain-Gagnerot and other Burgundy winemakers to broader markets, particularly in the USA, helping them gain the recognition and acclaim they truly deserve.
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