When you start an evening with Louis Vallet, you don’t know when it’s going to end. This young winemaker is bursting with energy and enthusiasm for life, family, food, and, of course, wine. Charodon is an ambitious project spearheaded by Louis with the support of his brother Thibault and their father, Bernard. Situated outside of Beaune in Montagny-les-Beaune, this property represents a dynamic evolution from the Vallet family’s roots in Gevrey-Chambertin, where Bernard Vallet is still a part-owner of the Pierre Bourrée estate.
Louis Vallet’s journey into winemaking is marked by both local and global perspectives. He benefits from his family’s deep roots in the area, both in the land he will eventually inherit and in his connections to and knowledge of the region. Furthering his winemaking expertise, he gathered a wealth of experience under the guidance of two notable proponents of organic and biodynamic viticulture – Pascal Marchand of Domaine des Comte Armand, Domaine de la Vougeraie, and his own micro-negociant house; and Bernard Zito, who was responsible for the implementation of biodynamic viticulture at the Boisset group and Comte Liger Belair, among other projects. From this base of respect for the land and the vines, Louis’ work at Charodon began modestly in 2010, producing just 1,200 bottles in its inaugural vintage.
Louis currently works with land that is leased out on long-term contracts. This strategy has enabled him to rapidly expand his production to meet the growing demand, reaching an impressive 42,000 bottles in the latest year. He is extremely involved in the sourcing of his fruit and the grapes are all organically grown. Louis oversees harvest himself and also the transport of the grapes into his winery. He has also renovated the château’s surrounding buildings to accommodate greater production capacity, and has completed construction on a state-of-the-art winery with impeccably chosen barrels and stainless steel tanks.
These wines reflect Louis’ personality. They are filled with upfront energy and fruit, while developing complexity and depth with time in the glass. Martine’s Wines president likens these wines to a delicious sauce – in the beginning it may seem straighforward, but as it simmers and gains character, the sauce becomes more than the sum of its parts. Louis’ offerings are characterized by their layered, fruit-driven, and generous nature. His is a winemaker who is renowned among insiders in Burgundy, and his will be a name to know going forward – Charodon is a house that promises an exciting future in the world of wine.
