Philippe Charlopin-Parizot, Domaine
Summary
Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot is a family estate in Gevrey-Chambertin with 25 hectares of vineyards across the Côte d'Or, producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from limestone and clay soils in prestigious appellations including several grand crus. Following the teachings of mentor Henri Jayer, the domaine employs traditional Burgundian methods including high-density planting, hand harvesting, careful fruit selection, and judicious oak aging to express the distinctive character of each terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine Philippe Charlopin-Parizot is based in Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. Philippe Charlopin established the domaine in 1978, beginning with just 2 hectares of vineyards. The son of a vineyard worker, Philippe did not inherit significant family holdings but instead built his domaine gradually through purchases and rentals. His professional development was significantly influenced by his mentorship under Henri Jayer, a respected Burgundian winemaker from Vosne-Romanée, with whom he worked closely during his formative years.
Today, Philippe continues to lead the domaine, with his son Yann increasingly involved in both vineyard management and winemaking operations. The family business remains centered in Gevrey-Chambertin, where their winery and cellars are located. From modest beginnings, Philippe has expanded the domaine's holdings across multiple appellations in the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, establishing a presence in several grand cru and premier cru sites.
Vineyards & Wines
The domaine now manages approximately 25 hectares of vineyards spread across various Burgundian appellations. Their holdings include parcels in prestigious grand cru sites such as Charmes-Chambertin, Mazoyères-Chambertin, and Clos de Vougeot. The domaine also produces wines from premier cru vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis, as well as village-level wines from Marsannay, Fixin, and Gevrey-Chambertin.
In the Côte de Beaune, Charlopin works with vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, and Meursault for white wine production. The vineyards feature the classic limestone and clay soils of the Côte d'Or, with variations in composition contributing to the distinct character of each site. The domaine's plantings are predominantly Pinot Noir for red wines and Chardonnay for whites, adhering to Burgundian tradition.
The vines vary in age across the different parcels, with some older plantings dating back several decades. Vineyard density follows regional norms at approximately 10,000 vines per hectare, promoting competition among vines for deeper root development and greater concentration in the resulting fruit.
Philosophy & Practice
Philippe Charlopin's winemaking approach reflects the influence of his mentor Henri Jayer, particularly in the attention to detail in both vineyard management and cellar work. The domaine practices rigorous pruning and maintains low yields to ensure fruit concentration. Harvest is conducted by hand, with careful sorting both in the vineyard and at the winery to select only optimal fruit.
For red wine production, the domaine typically destems most of the fruit, though the percentage varies by vintage and vineyard site. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled tanks, with the duration and extraction techniques adjusted according to the characteristics of each vintage. The wines undergo aging in French oak barrels, with new oak percentages varying by appellation level—higher proportions (up to 100%) for grand cru wines and less for village-level offerings.
White wines are pressed gently and barrel-fermented, followed by aging on lees in French oak. The domaine employs regular bâtonnage (lees stirring) during the early months of aging to develop texture and complexity. Both red and white wines typically spend 12-18 months in barrel before bottling, with minimal filtration.
The domaine's approach balances traditional Burgundian methods with modern precision, focusing on expressing the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard site while maintaining consistency in quality across their range of appellations.