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Camille Thiriet

As Exciting as it Gets: “A Stellar Range of Wines” [Jasper Morris]
Camille Thiriet

To know anything about Bibendum is to know that we love championing the wines of great growers. We get even more excited when these growers are helping reveal lost or underappreciated terroirs. Think the great growers of Champagne, Olivier Lamy in Saint-Aubin, the Goisot family in Côtes d’Auxerre, Vincent Dureuil in Rully and so on. Such growers have made the wine world infinitely richer by teaching us the power of great practice in the vines, no matter the place. Camille Thiriet and Matt Chittick are on this same journey.

In all our years visiting Burgundy, we don’t think we have encountered a more exciting start-up estate than Domaine Camille Thiriet. Starting any venture from scratch, let alone a Burgundy domaine, is tough. Yet this is precisely what Camille Thiriet has done, kicking off as a négociant in 2016 and now having established a domaine of six hectares in just six vintages. And that’s not all this young grower has achieved. With her partner, talented Canadian-born winemaker Matt Chittick, Thiriet is now putting the terroirs of two of Burgundy’s least-known villages*, Corgoloin (estate) and Comblanchien (négociant), firmly back on the fine wine map.

Matt and Camille’s passion and talent are immediately obvious to anyone who knows them and their wines. They have attracted support from locals like Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac (today a close friend), Aubert de Villaine, Nicolas Potel and Bernard Noblet, retired cellar master of Domaine de la Romanée Conti. All have helped mentor this new estate, not to mention pitching in with some practical assistance. There can hardly be a more experienced tutor than Noblet, as Dan Keeling alluded to when he wrote in Issue 27 of Noble Rot: “Witnessing Noblet on the sorting table in Comblanchien at harvest time was a bit like seeing Alain Ducasse on the pass of a new Paris bistro.”

As mentioned, this producer was mostly a négociant right up until 2021 (with only a tiny 0.25 hectares of vines) until the opportunity arose in early 2022 to acquire 4.5 hectares of vines and the cellars of the Gilles Jourdan domaine in Corgoloin (and some other bits and pieces that took the estate to just over 6 hectares). With a very high proportion of old vines, almost all of the estate vineyards are in Corgoloin, sitting on the same east- and southeast-facing slopes and the same rocky, limestone and clay soils of the more famous villages to the north. The holdings include the monopole of La Robignotte, historically regarded as the finest vineyard of southern Côte de Nuits-Villages.

Camille and Matt’s work in the vines and cellar reflects the blueprint of Burgundy’s current ‘golden generation’: the farming follows organic principles, and the attention to detail can be summed up by the heading “best practice”. There are even two horses—Obélix and Véga—used for some of the cultivation work.

Without exaggeration, Thiriet’s 2022s were as exciting as any line-up we encountered from this vintage in Burgundy. The quality was obvious, and the wines have a style we love. They are digestible, juicy, delicious wines with plenty of spicy bunch influence, as you might expect given Camille and Matt’s relationship with Seysses and Noblet. Regardless of the style, the quality of the wines, especially these 2022s, is remarkable. Jasper Morris’s quote above is no exaggeration. These are articulate Burgundies of great perfume, finesse and texture—wines to remind us why we drink Burgundy!

A final point on the outstanding third-party reviews. All wines in this offer fall under either generic or village appellations. In this context, the reviews and scores are extraordinary (and deserved). You may be surprised when you compare them pound for pound with the famous names of Chambolle, Vosne, Gevrey and the like: few have performed better. And as always, if the wines came from more famous names, you can almost guarantee that the scores would be even higher.

*The main reason that Corgoloin and Comblanchien, the two villages that form the beginning of the Côte de Nuits, are so rarely heard about is that they fall under the confusing Côte de Nuits-Villages appellation. This appellation brings together vineyards in five villages: parts of Brochon, any vines in Fixin (if the vigneron declassifies), parts of Premeaux (mostly below the road) and all of the best vineyards of Corgoloin and Comblanchien (above the road). This is why we do not see the village names of Corgoloin and Comblanchien on Burgundy labels—there is no separate appellation for these villages. There are historical reasons as to why this is the case (feel free to do your own research). Regardless, now with Domaine Camille Thiriet leading the charge, we will hopefully be hearing much more about these two fascinating communes.

The Wines

Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Blanc En La Place 2022

Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Blanc En La Place 2022

Camille’s new Domaine Bourgogne Blanc is drawn from La Sablière between Corgoloin and Comblanchien. The vines are 60 years old, and the wine is sensational, with lovely, pure, pulpy fruit (pear, honey, nuts) and terrific, mouth-watering freshness. It was raised in two barrels, one old and a Damy first used in 2021.

“A more cushioned depth to this nose – fleshy and inviting. More mineral and juicy vs the previous – then wide over the palate – that’s a fine and intense line of finishing flavour – such a beautiful finish – simply an excellent Bourgogne, potentially a great one!”
Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report
“More tension than the negociant version, more density to the fruit, a little lemon rinse, less suave but perhaps more personality. Camille found the two wines so different that they just had to be made apart.”
89 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Blanc En La Place 2022
Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge En La Place 2022

Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge En La Place 2022

The first vintage of the Domaine Bourgogne Rouge stems from the same vineyard as the white wine—and the vines are even older. The vineyard’s name, La Sablière, refers to the sandy clay soils, partly explaining this wine’s beautiful, lifted perfume of summer fruits and red flowers. The vines are 90 years old, some even older, and Camille ferments this wine in concrete with 40% whole bunches layered at the bottom of the tank (so that any punchdowns and pumpovers won’t break the whole berries). Simply a stellar wine for this level: elegant, pure-fruited and vivid with a pretty, lacy structure and crunchy finish.

“Hmm, the wine is cold but its aroma is growing in the glass – direct, fragrant – floral – it’s gorgeous. There’s a hint of tannin framing the structure and flavour – but what an open, fluid, clean wine of delicious flavour – and not a bit simple. I’d be keeping this a year or two – finishing with a fine juicy and vibrant perfumed red fruit… Beautiful Bourgogne!”
Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report
“The 2022 Bourgogne Rouge En la Place is bright and vibrant, revealing attractive aromas of sweet red berries and licorice, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy palate. This is another welcome addition to the range.”
90 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge En La Place 2022
Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge Les Chagniots 2022

Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge Les Chagniots 2022

This comes from a small parcel of 60-year-old vines under the Domaine d’Ardhuy’s Clos des Langres in Corgoloin. The name Chagniots is often cited as a reference to small oak trees, though Chaignots denotes iron-rich minerals in the local patois, so here it could refer to the reddish soils high in iron oxide. This first release fermented with 40% bunches, and it’s delicious, sweet-fruited and seductive, yet with great class. It’s an expressive, character-filled red Burgundy for a great price.

“From a parcel located below the Domaine d’Ardhuy in Corgoloin, the 2022 Bourgogne Rouge Les Chaignots offers up aromas of sweet cherries, berries and red fruit compote, followed by a medium-bodied, supple and easy palate that’s pure, lively and charmingly demonstrative.”
90 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Domaine Camille Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge Les Chagniots 2022
Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Clos Magny 2022

Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Clos Magny 2022

This cuvée is from a small 0.8-hectare parcel within the larger Le Clos de Magny climat in Corgoloin. Thiriet’s plot is at the top of the slope at 350 metres and with very rocky soil. Surrounded by the forest, part of the vineyard is often in the shade, which Camille believes works in her favour in warmer years. Another idiosyncrasy is the mass of large boulders that run through the soil just under the surface. It all adds up to a unique terroir that gifts tiny berries and tiny, loose bunches, which in turn allows Camille to use 100% whole bunches. If you tried last year’s release, be advised that the new vintage is considerably finer and prettier. In fact, it’s flat-out gorgeous. Bravo indeed! 

“Narrower top notes – still of rose – but much broader depth of aroma – another striking nose. More direct, fluid and certainly silky – that’s directly a great wine. Texturally wonderful, sleek and enthralling. Great wine – bravo!”
Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report
“Camille first made this cuvée in 2021 and she adores it. The vineyard is at 350m altitude, above La Montagne. A fine, even ruby purple. The bouquet is all about the lively fruit, with little stem impact. 100% whole bunches. Effortless, the red fruit has a little more precise definition than say for Aux Montagnes and la Montagne. Delicacy with intensity. Startling stuff.”
91 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Clos Magny 2022
Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Cuvée Deslandes 2022

Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Cuvée Deslandes 2022

This super impressive red comes from 90-year-old Pinot vines (!) high on the slope of Comblanchien, not far from the Château de Comblanchien. Although drawn from a terroir called Le Creux de Sabon, Camille prefers to call this bottling Cuvée Deslandes in honour of an early benefactor—and, well, it’s easier to pronounce! The wine was vinified with 100% bunches and a portion matured in stainless steel to capture as much of the vineyard’s delicate, floral aromatics as possible. There are echoes of old-school Dujac here, with the gorgeous red and blue fruit notes interwoven with lots of spice from the stems. Really impressive length, too. We’re not sure why there are no reviews, but this is clearly 1er Cru in all but name. Really, really delicious, classy wine.

Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Cuvée Deslandes 2022
Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge La Montagne 2022

Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge La Montagne 2022

Not to be confused with the Aux Montagnes négociant bottling, this comes from a high, estate-owned site (280 metres) on the Corgoloin-Ladoix border. La Montagne lies below Clos Magny (see below) and faces due east. The soils are light and dominated by sandy clay. In Camille’s words, the wine combines “the freshness and purity of Savigny with a little more depth and structure of the Côte de Nuits”. Really fine and perfumed yet with good depth, this has a cooler and slightly more structured persona than the Magny. Would love some time in the cellar—even if, like all of Matt and Camille’s 2022s, it’s already delicious.

“Five Star Wine. One of the new domaine vineyards from Corgoloin, not to be confused with Aux Montagnes in Comblanchien. Mid slope on light clay. Clear crimson purple. A very elegant pure raspberry nose. Super perfume here, fine acidity, a little more tension perhaps, a fresh acidity at the back, with similar length. Hard to separate the two.”
91 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
“From a parcel in Corgoloin (not to be confused with Aux Montagnes in Comblanchien) characterized by fine, sandy clays, the 2022 Côte de Nuits-Villages La Montagne wafts from the glass with scents of sweet plums, berries and orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and fine-boned, it’s an elegant, precise wine that concludes with a mineral finish.”
91 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge La Montagne 2022
Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge La Robignotte 2022

Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge La Robignotte 2022

This tiny 0.6-hectare monopole above the Corgoloin cemetery was the jewel in Gilles Jourdan’s portfolio. Now, Camille Thiriet wears the crown. The vineyard takes its name from the owner in Napoleonic times, and part of the site’s claim to fame is the rare outcropping of blue marl that imbues its wines with expectational longevity. It’s the only vineyard in the area with these rare soils. Camille told us she has tasted wines from 1957 and 1979 with the previous owner and was blown away by the quality. The vines in Thiriet’s plot average 60 years old, and Camille’s inaugural vintage fermented with 40% bunches. This is Thiriet’s most serious and complex wine: compact with deep, dark cherry fruit, roasted brown spice notes and fine, powdery tannins. Give it a few years and wait for the fireworks. In terms of the reviews below, remember that a 93 from Jasper Morris for a “village-level” wine is extraordinary and well-deserved. 

“Five Star Wine. Mid crimson ruby in colour, la Robignotte is classically perfumed, all in cherries, delivering a gorgeous intensity right from the start, just a little white pepper behind, then comes another wave of the cherry fruit. 40% whole bunches, as this is the first year. Effortless, harmonious and digeste, as the French describe things – digestible in English doesn’t do the wine justice.”
93 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
“From a small monopole in Corgoloin named in honor of one of Napoleon’s veterans, the 2022 Côte de Nuits-Villages La Robignotte Monopole unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, red berries and peonies, followed by a medium to full-bodied, lively and perfumed palate that’s suave, seamless and complete. This is clearly set to be a highlight of Thiriet’s portfolio in the years to come.”
92+ points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Domaine Camille Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge La Robignotte 2022
Maison C. Thiriet Bourgogne Aligoté Du Jardin 2022

Maison C. Thiriet Bourgogne Aligoté Du Jardin 2022

Du Jardin is a blend of old-vine Aligoté Doré from vines near Pommard and a second, 90-year-old parcel in Corgoloin. Thiriet refers to the latter as ‘my garden’. The yield from these ancient vines is tiny, partly accounting for the aromatic intensity of this cuvée. The fruit is pressed together using a vertical press and raised in old oak (20% new) for nine months. A small yet decisive skin-contact component adds to the texture and wow factor.  It has super texture for the variety, as well as terrific length and delicious, powdery grip to close.

“Produced from holdings in Pommard, Comblanchien and Corgoloin, the 2022 Bourgogne Aligoté Du Jardin offers up aromas of pear and yellow orchard fruit, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and unctuous palate that’s unusually broad and textural for this variety.”
89 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
“A blend of the original Pommard plot and the new one from Corgoloin, plus one barrel from 100-year-old vines from Meursault. Fine pale yellow. Beautifully perfumed, yet still very suave. Moderate acidity for Aligoté, with a long fine finish.”
88 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
Maison C. Thiriet Bourgogne Aligoté Du Jardin 2022
Maison C. Thiriet Bourgogne Blanc Cuvée Confidentielle 2022

Maison C. Thiriet Bourgogne Blanc Cuvée Confidentielle 2022

Camille’s négoce Bourgogne Blanc has been in the portfolio since her first vintage in 2016. The source can vary. Where 2021 was drawn from a plot of old-vine Chardonnay next to Comblanchien, this year’s release comes from two historic contacts in Puligny-Montrachet and Mâcon-Villages. Both vineyards are farmed organically, and Camille explains that the Mâcon fruit brings generosity while the Puligny side brings salinity and citrusy brightness. This is simply terrific Bourgogne with loads of character, good texture and a vibrant finish. Raised in 20% new oak, the two parcels were vinified separately before being married in tank for six months,

“Broader, some impression of a granular texture here. More impact, a suggestion of oak, nicely structured and framed with a faint chalky tannin – a beauty!”
Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report
“The 2022 Bourgogne Chardonnay Cuvée Confidentielle bursts with aromas of pear, toasted nuts and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and fleshy palate that's rich but bright, concluding with a saline finish.”
89 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Maison C. Thiriet Bourgogne Blanc Cuvée Confidentielle 2022
Maison C. Thiriet Coteaux Bourguignons Rosay 2022

Maison C. Thiriet Coteaux Bourguignons Rosay 2022

It comes from hand-picked, old-vine Gamay from Corgoloin, slowly pressed and spontaneously fermented in barrel and tank. It’s such a brilliant wine, as seductive as it gets, with waves of red fruit, a creamy midpalate and a zesty, racy close. Simply put, it’s one of the finest rosé wines (or, in this case, Rosay) that we’ve ever shipped and as good as we’ve tasted from Burgundy.

Maison C. Thiriet Coteaux Bourguignons Rosay 2022
Maison C. Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Aux Montagnes 2022

Maison C. Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Aux Montagnes 2022

This was the cuvée that started it all—the first wine that Thiriet released. Aux Montagnes is a four-hectare parcel directly below the Comblanchien château and quarry. Sited on the belly of the slope at 260 metres—where the Côte de Nuits 1er Crus normally sit (just saying)—there is only 25cm of clay-limestone before the vines tap directly into the bedrock. The clay here is quite red, with a high iron content. Thiriet works with a parcel of vines from Nicolas Potel’s holdings planted in the 1970s. She uses fewer bunches for this vineyard as the stems add a lot of tannins here. The result is a more fleshy, hedonistic style of Burgundy (yet still fine-boned!) with excellent density and waves of sweet fruit.

“Camille has made this cuvée since her first year. Just 10-15% whole bunch vinification on a deep clay and limestone soil. A lively ruby crimson. An explosion of gorgeous fresh raspberry fruit, such elegance, a little white pepper behind, and a long supple fine finish. Still building at the back!”
91 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
“One of the highlights of the range is the 2022 Côte de Nuits-Villages Aux Montagnes from this higher-altitude site, characterized by dense clay rich in limestone fragments, overlooking the village of Comblanchien. Offering up aromas of red berries, rose petals, warm spices and licorice, it’s medium to full-bodied, fine-boned and precise, with a bright spine of acidity and a mouthwateringly mineral finish.”
92 points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
Maison C. Thiriet Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge Aux Montagnes 2022

“A stellar range of wines. I had difficulty from restraining myself from giving all the Côte de Nuits-Villages cuvées five stars.” Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

“As I've written before, Camille Thiriet's small négociant operation launched with the 2016 vintage, and it only goes from strength to strength… despite all the challenges that newcomers in Burgundy face, the barriers to entry are not insurmountable, and I am expecting great things.” William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

“Beautiful wines of both colours – bravo Camille and Matt!!” Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report

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