Location and Classification
Les Suchots is a climat classified as a Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru in the appellation area Vosne-Romanée in Burgundy. It is situated on the north side of the village area on a gently sloping section of the hillside. The vineyard area comprises approximately 13.08 hectares and is located at about 250 to 270 metres above sea level, with an orientation from east to south-east.
Climate and Soils
The area shows a cool, oceanic climate tendency with continental and southern influences. The average annual rainfall is about 730 millimetres, the mean annual temperature about 10.5 °C. Geologically, limestone formations of the Middle Jurassic and clay-rich marl shape the subsoil. For Les Suchots, deep, fine-grained and strongly clay-containing soils are described.
Grape Variety and Wine Style
The principal grape variety is Pinot Noir. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are permitted as blended-in varieties in mixed planting, together however limited to 15 percent per plot. The appellation produces still red wines with a ruby-red colour, velvety tannins, rather restrained acidity and a soft palate structure. The specified aromas include cherry and peony, as well as, with development, notes of undergrowth. A designated wine comes from Pierre Girardin: Vosne-Romaneé Premier Cru Les Suchots.
Appellation Rules
For the Premier Cru designation, there must be at least 9,000 vines per hectare, a row width of at most 1.25 metres and a vine spacing within the row of at least 0.50 metres. Short training is permitted and a simple Guyot cut with at most eight fruit buds per vine; irrigation is prohibited. The permitted yield is 48 hectolitres per hectare, the maximum amount 56 hectolitres per hectare. The wines must mature for at least until 15 June of the year following the harvest.
