Gerard Raphet
Summary
Domaine Gérard Raphet is a small, family-run Burgundy estate based in Morey-Saint-Denis, crafting primarily Pinot Noir from exceptional old-vine parcels across four Grand Cru sites and several Premier Cru vineyards in the Côte de Nuits. Despite their impressive vineyard holdings, the Raphet family maintains a deliberately low profile, focusing on traditional methods including partial whole-cluster fermentation and restrained oak usage to create authentic expressions of terroir rather than pursuing publicity or recognition.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Gérard Raphet operates from the village of Morey-Saint-Denis in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. The family-run estate is currently headed by Gérard Raphet, who continues the winemaking traditions established by previous generations. In recent years, Gérard's daughter Virginie has joined the domaine, representing the next generation of this Burgundian family business. The Raphet family maintains a notably low profile in the wine world, focusing their attention on vineyard work and winemaking rather than marketing or publicity. Their wines have historically reached consumers primarily through a network of importers and specialized retailers who seek out small-production Burgundy producers.
Vineyards & Wines
The Raphet family tends to vineyards across several prestigious appellations in the Côte de Nuits. Their holdings include parcels in four Grand Cru vineyards: Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Charmes-Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, and Clos de Vougeot. The domaine also produces Premier Cru wines from both Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis, as well as village-level wines from these appellations. A distinguishing feature of Domaine Raphet's vineyards is the presence of old vines, with many parcels containing vines over 60 years of age. These mature vines typically produce lower yields with more concentrated fruit, contributing to the intensity found in their wines. The domaine focuses almost exclusively on Pinot Noir production, which is typical for red wine producers in this part of Burgundy.
Philosophy & Practice
Domaine Raphet adheres to traditional Burgundian winemaking methods. Their approach in the cellar is characterized by minimal intervention, allowing the terroir of each vineyard to express itself in the finished wines. The winemaking process includes partial whole-cluster fermentation, which can add structural complexity and aromatic nuance to the wines. The domaine employs a measured approach to oak aging, using a limited percentage of new barrels to avoid overwhelming the fruit character and terroir expression in their wines. This restrained approach to oak, combined with their old-vine fruit sources, results in wines that emphasize finesse and elegance rather than power or extraction. Production quantities remain small, consistent with the limited size of their vineyard holdings and their focus on quality over volume. The Raphet wines are particularly valued by Burgundy enthusiasts for their authentic expression of their respective terroirs.