Domaine Laurent Cognard (Sustainable)

The estate is situated in Buxy, Burgundy in the Montagny appellation, which is the southern gateway to the Côte Chalonnaise.  The Cognard family has its origins in the Mâconnais region, but Laurent is a local boy who always cherished the idea of settling in Buxy and founding his own Domaine.  He acquired his first vineyards in 1997, and became a full-time winemaker in 2006, cultivating an area of 5.5 hectares.  Today, he manages 18 hectares of vines spread over Loché, Montagny, and Mercurey with 6.4 hectares in Montagny 1er Cru.

The estate was initially headquartered in an ancient prison dating back to the middle ages in a picturesque but somewhat narrow cellar. He moved the Domaine to the Château de Buxy in the heart of the town and built a tasting cellar and a state-of-the-art winery more in keeping with the burgeoning development of the estate.

Seeking to make balanced wines, Laurent prefers healthy grapes picked at their optimal ripeness.  All the vineyard soils are ploughed to force the vine roots to plumb the depths of the terrain.  The domaine limits phytosanitary treatments with the aim of obtaining a TERRA VITIS reconversion ( H.V.E. equivalent) in 2020.

In the cellar, Laurent upholds Burgundian tradition but brings his own nod to modernity.  Similarly, the wines are aged in 500 liter casks – an unfamiliar format but which Laurent believes underscores the minerality in his white wines.

“I like wines with good freshness and balance giving fine drinkability. A good bottle is an empty one and – as my grandfather was fond of saying – a Magnum is the ideal format for a couple (over dinner) especially if the wife doesn’t drink.”

The vineyard is located in Burgundy-Franche-Comté in the departments of Yonne, Côte-d’Or, and Saône-et-Loire.  It extends over 250 km in length from the north of Chablis to the south of the Mâconnais.

The Burgundian vineyard includes 84 appellations d’origine contrôlée (AOC): 6 regional appellations, 45 communal or village appellations (with 562 premiers crus names on these village appellations) and 33 grands crus appellations.

The fruit of a long history, Burgundy and its wines are renowned throughout the world and have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2015.

Location: Situated in the Côte chalonnaise, in the commune of Bissey-Sous-Cruchaud.  The name of the southerly-facing plot is “Les Terrettes” which is approximately 300 meters above sea level.

Soil: Clay-marl

Surface Area: 1 hectare

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Harvest: Hand-picked grapes

Vinification: Cold maceration for 4-7 days.  Fermentation lasts about 10 days.  No “pigeage” in order to preserve the fruit and avoid tannins extraction.

Aging: 100% old oak barrels for 11-12 months.

Tasting Notes: Notes of red fruits in the bouquet – cherry and redcurrant.  Smooth and generous on the palate; cherry notes with soft tannins on the attack.   This pleasant and fruity wine will be great at any time of the day, for unexpected visits.

Serving Suggestion: Serve at 12-14°C.  This is a fresh wine to be enjoyed within 5 years of the vintage.

Location: Laurent’s parents planted those vines only 50m away from the Montagny appellation area.  The name of the plot is “Les Champs de Perdrix” which has an easterly exposure.

Soil: Clay-limestone

Surface Area: 0.64 hectares

Average Age of the Vines: 30 year-old vines

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Harvest: Hand-picked

Vinification: Grapes are carefully pressed, and the wine is naturally clarified due to gravity.

Aging: Combination of 500L old oak barrels and stainless steel vats (the proportion of each varies depending on the vintage) for 10-12 months.

Tasting Notes: Fresh and elegant nose, with notes of white fruit and Acacia flower.  Fine density on the palate, well-balanced with citrus and dry, fruity notes.

Serving Suggestion: Serve at 9-10°C.  This is a fresh wine to be enjoyed within 3 years of vintage.

Overview: Originally planted by Laurent’s grandfather, Laurent took over ownership of these vines in 2018 from his uncle.

Plot: “Les Longues Terres” is a hillside plot with eastern exposure planted with 40 year old vines.

Region: Burgundy – Mâconnais – Loché

Soil: Clay limestone

Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Harvest: Manual

Vinification: Light pressing; debourbage by gravity; vinification in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks.

Aging: 10-12 months in steel tanks

Tasting Notes: Limpid, brilliant golden color with green reflections. Notes of pear and dried fruit on the nose. On the palate, the attack is round and crisp. Beautiful freshness with hints of white fruit. Notes of citrus on the finish.

Serving Suggestion: To be consumed within 3 years of the vintage.

Overview: Historic vines owned by Laurent’s parents, recovered in 2002. The first Montagny Premier Cru of the domaine.

Region: Burgundy – Cote Chalonnaise – Buxy

Terroir: Les Bassets plot.  Slopes due east.  Altitude 250m.

Soil: Clay-limestone

Vines: 1.35 ha (40 years old) plus 1.1 ha (20 years old)

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Harvest: Manual

Vinification: Gentle pressing, settling by gravity.

Aging: SOOL French oak barrels (<10% new wood).  Aging for 11-12 months.

Tasting Notes: Clear and brilliant with golden reflections.  Good density – fruity on the palate with notes of Accacia flower and peach.  Saline expression of minerality on the finish.  Elegant and fresh.

Serving Suggestion: 10-11 °C.  To be consumed within 5 years of vintage.