Why it matters
The producer
Domaine Christian Bellang & Fils is based in Meursault and makes Chardonnay whites alongside Pinot Noir reds. Christophe manages the estate today. The domaine works as a viticulteur, a grape grower responsible for its vineyard holdings, under Bourgogne appellation classification.
The portfolio covers regional, village and premier cru wines. Its white range includes Bourgogne Chardonnay, Meursault, Meursault Les Tillets and Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes. Its red wines include Savigny-lès-Beaune, Chorey-lès-Beaune, Beaune and Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The vineyards lie along the Route des Grands Crus, with Meursault at the centre and parcels extending into Savigny-lès-Beaune, Chorey-lès-Beaune and Beaune. This spread places Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in different Bourgogne village settings, giving the domaine both white Meursault wines and a red range across several appellations.
Meursault supplies the white village and premier cru labels. The other village names carry the red wines, while Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots adds a higher vineyard classification to the Pinot Noir range.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
The vines average around 30 years old across the estate. Meursault whites age for 10 to 18 months depending on the vintage, in barrels with 20 to 25 percent new oak. Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes stays in barrel for 15 to 18 months, also depending on the vintage.
The red wines follow a two-stage élevage. Savigny-lès-Beaune, Beaune, Chorey-lès-Beaune and Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots spend 12 months in barrels followed by 6 months in vats. Barrel ageing allows wine to develop through slow oxygen contact, while vat ageing gives the finished wine more time before bottling without adding further oak.
Wines to know
The range in view
The white range starts with Cuvée des Gouttes, a crisp and fruity Bourgogne Chardonnay, then moves through Meursault, Meursault Les Tillets and Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes. The red range includes Savigny-lès-Beaune, Chorey-lès-Beaune, Beaune and Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots.
Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots is full and round but very well balanced, with drinking after 3 to 10 years. The range therefore moves from a regional Chardonnay cuvée to named Meursault wines, and from village Pinot Noir to a premier cru bottle with a stated ageing window.