Domaine Launay-Horiot is an old domaine, located in Pommard and Chambertin, in wonderful Burgundy terroirs. The vineyards are farmed with an approach close to organic. Xavier Horiot is the winemaker and owner of the domaine which consists of 4 hectares of vineyards.

The top wines of the domaine are: Chambertin Grand Cru, Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru, Pommard Premier Cru Les Rugiens Bas. The Chambertin Grand Cru 2014 scored 94, the Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru 2015 scored 91-93, the Pommard Premier Cru Les Rugiens Bas 2015 scored 90-92 by the Wine Advocate.

The wines of the domaine are elegant, well-balanced and express the peculiarities of each terroir.

Robert Parker’s tasting notes on the Chambertin Grand Cru 2014 scored 94: “The 2014 Chambertin Grand Cru comes from 0.16-hectares next to Lalou Bize-Leroy and the boundary of Clos-de-Bèze. It has a more taciturn bouquet than the 2014 Latricières-Chambertin at the moment, yet one can already discern the precision and the mineral nature, and a few swirls reveals some gorgeous Morello cherry and crushed strawberry scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, tensile tannin. This is nicely focused, fresh and tensile in the mouth, gently building towards a very precise and detailed finish that really exudes the essence of Pinot Noir. This is a succinctly crafted, transparent and expressive Chambertin that comes highly recommended. Chapeau Xavier Horiot, considering that this is his debut vintage.”

Domaine Launay-Horiot is managed by Xavier Horiot, who continues the work of Raymond Launay, his grandfather.

The domaine was founded at the end of the 18th century, by Jean Baptiste Laly, vineyards owner in Chassagne-Montrachet. Since that time a few generations have passed. The domain slowly obtained new territories and reached 11.5 hectares, spreading from the Beaune Coast to the Nuits Coast. Later, some of the vineyards were sold, but Xavier Horiot managed to save 4 hectares of the domain’s original terroirs. The first vintage of the renewed domain was made in 2014 and showed the talented winemaking work of Xavier Horiot.

The vineyards of the Domaine Launay-Horiot are farmed close to organic principles. Soils are tilled and treatments are limited to the strictest necessity. The grapes are harvested by hand into small boxes, not to be damaged before sorting. The grapes are being fully destemmed but some berries are left intact. Xavier Horiot avoids physical effects in the tank and the occasional herbaceous taste of the stalks themselves to achieve some of the aromatics from intracellular fermentation. Cold pre-fermentation maceration lasts for 6 to 8 days without punching down. Due to the temperature control vatting lasts 4 to 5 weeks every year. Pigages and pumpovers are done once or twice a day to achieve the desired extraction. The wines are racked from barrels after the following harvest and bottled before the end of the year. The proportion of new oak is adapted to each appellation. It is one-third new oak for Pommards and two-thirds for grands crus.