2017 Domaine Sylvain Nuit Saint Geroge Aux Thorey
Domaine Sylvain Cathiard
Sylvain Cathiard and his son Sebastien manage one of the most prestigious and highly allocated estates in Burgundy, based in the village of Vosne-Romanee. Known for an uncompromising dedication to quality, the Domaine produces wines of breathtaking purity, transparency, and silky elegance. Under Sebastien’s direction, the vineyard work is meticulous, and winemaking involves complete destemming, careful extraction, and a judicious, refined use of new oak. Cathiard wines are revered for their brilliant aromatics, seamless textures, and profound ability to express their respective terroirs, making them essential acquisitions for the world’s most discerning collectors.
Sylvain Cathiard Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Thorey 2017
The 2017 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Thorey provides a fascinating study in terroir transparency. Situated at the northern edge of the appellation near the border of Vosne Romanee, the Aux Thorey climat is defined by a steep incline and a high proportion of active limestone. This geological composition naturally imparts a mineral tension that counterbalances the inherent muscularity typically associated with Nuits Saint Georges. The 2017 vintage exemplifies this balance, born from a growing season defined by steady warmth and crucial late season diurnal shifts that yielded Pinot Noir of striking purity. Approaching a decade of maturation, it is beginning to shed its primary fruit to reveal complex tertiary notes, showcasing the traditional elegance of the domain.
Appellation: Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Aging: Approximately 15 to 18 months in French oak barrels with a tailored proportion of new wood, typically around 40% to 50% for Premier Crus.
Vinification: Meticulous hand harvesting; complete destemming; traditional fermentation with indigenous yeasts in temperature controlled vats to ensure pristine aromatic extraction and site expression.
Tasting Notes: An intricate bouquet of dark cherries, dried florals, forest floor, and crushed stone. The palate is energetic and beautifully focused, revealing a mineral tension that frames the concentrated fruit, leading into a long, precise, and finely structured finish.
Food Pairing: Herb crusted rack of lamb, seared duck breast with a red fruit reduction, or a classic wild mushroom risotto.
Historical Ratings
92–94 pts (Neal Martin, Vinous)
91–94 pts (Allen Meadows, Burghound)
92–94 pts (William Kelley, Wine Advocate)