Domaine Maurice Charleux et Fils, Maranges 1er Cru Le Clos de Rois 2019

​A 0.30-hectare parcel in this cru, which sits at the bottom of the hill and includes just over 7 hectares of vines that face south and southwest. The altitude is between 260 and 290 meters. The soil is quite complex but, in general, contains more limestone than ​La Fussière. Grapes are de-stemmed, then see a 3- to 5-day cold soak, and a 15- to 21-day fermentation period in cement tanks or foudres, with punchdowns, pump-overs and delestage. This premier cru wine goes into oak casks, approximately 20% new. The family likes keeping oak to a minimum, preferring to let the terroir of each cru surface, rather than be hidden by an "international" style that masks the beauty of each climat. Bottling with a light filtration takes place approximately a year after going into barrel.

Domaine Maurice Charleux is located in Dezize-les-Maranges, about 4 kilometers southwest of Santenay. It was founded in 1894 by Ferdinand Charleux, who owned just a little over half a hectare of vines. By the time he died in 1924, he had expanded the property to 2 hectares. A few years later, Ferdinand's son Joseph began a 30-year span of growing the size of the property to 8 hectares. Maurice took over the domaine upon his father's retirement in 1970 and began branding the wines under his name. Nearly 20 years later, his son Vincent began working with his father and, little by little, acquired more plots of vines. Today, the domaine covers just under 10 hectares, of which 85% is Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay. The annual production is approximately 40,000 bottles—a number that is gradually rising. The family still sells a small percentage of their harvest to local négociants.