Under the Radar Producers – Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot, the cream of the Côte de Nuits

by Andrew Hooper

UPDATE 20/01/14 You can browse all of our current Côte de Nuits listings here on our website.

Confuron-Cotedidot-portrait-2011

There can’t be too many wine making families with a type of grape named after them, but there exists a strain of Pinot Noir called Pinot Confuron, reflecting a tradition of careful vine selection and propogation in a family history which dates back to the times of the Sun King, Louis XIV.  Today the reins are in the hands of brothers Yves and Jean-Pierre Confuron.  Notably, they use no herbicides or pesticides in their vineyards; the grapes are picked late for maximum ripeness; and all wines are fermented from whole bunches.

All prices quoted below are In Bond prices.  For Duty Paid prices and all other conditions please see the LEA & SANDEMAN web-site.

Vosne Romanée 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of 12 £276)
“Vosne drive in evidence. Lots of sweetness. Good stuff! Racy.”
16 points, drink 2015-2024, Jancis Robinson MW
“Ripe red fruit aroma with some spice. Ripe on the attack with dark liquorish fruit. Juicy middle palate. Quite rich tannins and plenty of them. A full and dense palate with a spicy aromatic finish. Good muscle to the tannic structure. All about structure. This is the most substantial Vosne Romanée I have tried. Very good. From 2016”
Sarah Marsh MW (The Burgundy Briefing)

Vosne Romanée 1er cru Les Suchots 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of 12 £543)
“Rather luscious on the palate. Some real intensity. But there is drive and persistence here too.”
17 points, drink 2017-2027, Jancis Robinson MW
“(the domaine is the largest holder in Suchots with an incredible 2.16 ha). An expressive and intensely spicy and wonderfully floral nose of black and blue pinot fruit introduces velvety and palate coating flavors that possess plenty of size and weight as well as an abundance of sappy dry extract. While the mid-palate is quite generous the finale is very serious and I particularly like the excellent depth on the stunningly long finish. This offers grand cru level quality in 2011 and is definitely recommended.”
91-94 points, drink 2025+, Allen Meadows (burghound.com)
“Deep, rich red aroma. This has velvet depth and gorgeous dark fruit. Satin at first and becomes deep crushed velvet in texture. It moves richly, yet not at all heavily. It is so very sensual. There is lovely freshness on the finish. Fine+. From 2017”
18.5 points, Sarah Marsh MW (The Burgundy Briefing)

Nuits St Georges 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of 12 £276)Yves Confuron
“Bright cherry red. Piercing clean red fruit flavours with a bit of sweetness on the end before a bit of astringency. Quite satisfying. Unscathed by bitter/nutty notes.”
16 points, drink 2016-2024, Jancis Robinson MW
“Herbal, minty notes. Black pastille fruit on the front of the palate. Lighter body than the Vosne. Plenty of tannins, but supple tannins. Ripe, ‘jam’ fruit on the finish and a little earthier. The finish is fresh and straight. Some good energy here. Good+. From 2016”
Sarah Marsh MW (The Burgundy Briefing)

Nuits St Georges 1er cru Les Vignes Rondes 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of 12 £441)
“Here the aromatic profile is completely different with dark berries, plum, spice and violets. There is fine concentration to the velvet textured medium weight flavors that possess plenty of dry extract that successfully buffers the otherwise very firm and moderately rustic tannins on the exceptionally long finish. This is very Nuits and clearly built to age so there is no point buying this if you do not intend to cellar if for the long-term.”
90-93 points. drink 2023+, Allen Meadows (burghound.com)

Chambolle Musigny 1er cru Derrière la Grange 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of 12 £594)
“Light cherry red. Broad and spicy nose. Some energy and confidence here. It finishes a tad dry at the moment but there is much tucked in here. Lots of interest – rare for 2011 which is generally quite simple.”
17 points, drink 2018-2028, Jancis Robinson MW
“An exceptionally pretty and admirably pure nose of red currant, spice and mineral hints merges seamlessly into detailed, vibrant and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors that echo the minerality of the nose. There is excellent balance and refined tannins on the mildly austere but beautifully lingering finale. Note however that even though the structure is fine grained it’s dense and very firm so patience will be required.”
90-92 points, drink 2023+, Allen Meadows (burghound.com)

Gevrey Chambertin 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of 12 £279)
“An attractively fresh and expressive nose speaks of newly turned earth, dark berry and a hint of the sauvage leads to intense, detailed and lightly mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that are supported by firm but relatively refined tannins on the dusty, mouth coating and beautifully balanced finish. This is a Gevrey villages of refinement and grace. Recommended but note that cellaring it is a must.”
89-91 points, drink 2021+, Allen Meadows (burghound.com)
“Dark and more upright aroma. Lovely energy and it is streamlined. This has tighter tannins and is pure on the finish. Dark with notes of liquorish and spice. There is a black pepper lift on the finish. Very good. I do like this. From 2017”
Sarah Marsh MW (The Burgundy Briefing)

Gevrey Chambertin 1er cru Lavaut Saint Jacques 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of six £288)
“A bit more fruit intensity than most from this stable. Some juicy fruit. Good balance. Potential for further development. Rather comforting.”
16.5 points, drink 2017-2027, Jancis Robinson MW
“The terroir really sings here and the voice of the winemaker (in the shape of 100% stems) can be heard too. Minerally, smoky, refreshing and cool, the wines from Lavaux/Lavaut are some of my favourites in 2011.”
95 points, drink 2017-25, Tim Atkin MW

Gevrey Chambertin 1er cru Craipillot 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of 12 £414)
“Pale ruby. Very light nose. Then a broad spread of fruit on the palate. Solid, even a bit stolid.”
16 points, drink 2016-2024, Jancis Robinson MW
“Warm parcel despite the influence of the Combe Lavaux. Red fruit aroma and perfumed. There is a delicacy and intensity here. Lightish body, but no lack of substance. It has elegant, woven feel. Rose hips on the long and aromatic finish. Fine+ From 2017”
18.25 points, Sarah Marsh MW (The Burgundy Briefing)

Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of six £447)
“Broad and sweet. Juicy fruit. Precise and clean. Well chiselled with some length.”
16.5+ points, drink 2017-2027, Jancis Robinson MW
“This has plenty of aromatic expression. Smooth and generous. Full and really quite rich. Plenty of substance and it is fresh and vibrant on the finish. This is a good Charmes-Chambertin and fresh on the finish. Very fine. From 2018”
18.9 points, Sarah Marsh MW (The Burgundy Briefing)

Échezeaux Grand Cru 2011 Domaine Confuron-Cotetidot (case of six £420)
“Bright crimson. Intense level of fruit. Really quite snazzy at first. Tamped down a bit to a dry finish but it is clearly of superior quality. Lots of energy here.”
17 points, drink 2018-2030, Jancis Robinson MW
“Silky dark and more up toned aroma. So urbane on the palate. Silky texture and tannin. Threaded with freshness. Pure and aromatic, dark finish. A lovely, long rippling wine. Top notch. Very Fine. From 2018”
19 points, Sarah Marsh (The Burgundy Briefing)
“This is also exceptionally spicy with ripe aromas of earth and black currant as well as plenty of floral influence. There is excellent volume and phenolic maturity to the underlying structural elements that shape and support the relatively large-scaled flavors that culminate in a driving finish that delivers flat out phenomenal length. Note that that this beauty is a good choice only for the very, very patient among you as it’s built for the very long-term.”
92-94 points, drink 2031+, Allen Meadows (burghound.com)

The entire LEA & SANDEMAN range of 2011 Burgundy can be found on our web-site, complete with Charles Lea’s tasting notes and various wine writers’ comments.

Please note! This is a primeur (futures) offer – all prices are quoted EXCLUDING VAT. The prices are per pack as detailed – so if a wine is listed in twelve-bottle cases, the price given is per twelve, or if listed in in six-bottle cases, the price given is per six, and so on. If it looks too cheap check the case size!

Delivery Timing: this is a primeur (futures) offer. The wines are not yet physically available, but will be shipped over the course of the next twelve months. In most cases they will be delivered as they arrive with us, so if any are required by a certain date please advise us at the time of ordering.