l'Arlot, Domaine de
Summary
Domaine de l'Arlot manages 14 hectares of prime vineyards in northern Nuits-Saint-Georges, producing 45,000-50,000 bottles annually of predominantly Pinot Noir wines that express their proximity to Vosne-Romanée through two monopole premier crus with distinct limestone-rich soils. The estate employs biodynamic viticulture with Demeter certification, traditional open-top fermentation with significant whole-cluster inclusion, and thoughtfully restrained oak aging that has been further refined under Géraldine Godot's leadership to enhance terroir transparency.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine de l'Arlot was established in 1987 when AXA Millésimes, the wine investment arm of the French insurance company AXA, acquired the property in Nuits-Saint-Georges. The estate's history, however, stretches back much further, with its distinctive cellars dating to the 18th century. Prior to AXA's acquisition, the domaine was owned by Jean-Charles Vienot, who maintained the property but sold most of the wine to négociants.
Under AXA's ownership, Jean-Pierre de Smet was appointed as the first technical director, serving from 1987 to 2007. De Smet, alongside estate manager Jean-Jacques Robert, established the foundation for quality-focused viticulture and winemaking that defines the domaine today. Olivier Leriche succeeded de Smet in 2007, followed by Jacques Devauges in 2011. Since 2014, Géraldine Godot has led as technical director, bringing her experience from Domaine Leflaive and training in both enology and agronomy to further refine the estate's approach.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine de l'Arlot manages 14 hectares of vineyards, primarily in Nuits-Saint-Georges on the northern side of the appellation, closer to Vosne-Romanée. The estate's flagship holdings include two monopoles (exclusively owned vineyards): the 4-hectare Clos de l'Arlot Premier Cru and the 7-hectare Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges Premier Cru. The Clos de l'Arlot, situated directly behind the domaine's main buildings, features limestone-rich soils with white marl, planted to both Pinot Noir and a small section of Chardonnay and Pinot Gris for their rare white Nuits-Saint-Georges.
The Clos des Forêts Saint-Georges occupies a mid-slope position with clay-limestone soils that produce more structured wines. Additional holdings include parcels in Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Petits Plets (a young-vine cuvée), Côte de Nuits-Villages Clos du Chapeau, and a notable 1.01-hectare plot in Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Romanée Saint-Vivant. The vineyards have been certified organic since 2003 and biodynamic (Demeter) since 2014, with an average vine age of 30-50 years.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine de l'Arlot's approach centers on expressing each vineyard's distinct character through minimal intervention. In the vineyards, biodynamic practices include the application of herbal preparations according to the lunar calendar, cover crops between rows, and horse plowing in some parcels to minimize soil compaction. Yields are controlled through careful pruning and green harvesting when necessary.
The winemaking process begins with hand-harvesting and rigorous sorting. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts in open-top wooden vats, with varying percentages of whole clusters depending on the vintage and vineyard—typically 50-100% for the premier crus. Gentle extraction is achieved through light punch-downs and pump-overs. The wines age in French oak barrels for 15-18 months, with new oak usage ranging from 30-50% for premier crus and 10-20% for village wines.
The domaine bottles without fining or filtration when possible, aiming to preserve the pure expression of each terroir. Under Godot's direction, the estate has refined its approach to whole-cluster fermentation and reduced the overall percentage of new oak to enhance transparency in the wines. The annual production averages 45,000-50,000 bottles, with distribution focused on export markets and fine wine retailers.