Charles Boigelot, the prodigal son of the Boigelot family, seemed destined to make great wine. The 23-year-old is not only a fifth-generation winemaker, he has also studied under some of the region’s most notable producers, starting as an apprentice when he was just 15 years old. In particular, Charles was heavily influenced by his work at Domaines Coche-Dury & Paul Pillot, where he learned the methods of each winemaker and the value of “haute couture,” the French ideal of bespoke luxury. Taking what he learned, Charles returned to home in 2022 at the age of 20 to create his own range of wines using several parcels from his family’s special estate holdings. Working alongside his father, Eric Boigelot, Charles farms 9 hectares in the heart of Meursault. As he sets out on his own, Charles aims to build upon the legacy forged by his predecessors, while implementing his own styles and techniques, he drives home during our tasting in the cellar.

Using a sustainable approach in his viticulture Charles harvests his old vines in a way that lets the quality of the grapes speak for themselves, and implements low intervention winemaking. Both red and white wines are made using a long soft press. The whites ferment on the lees with only indigenous yeasts, without any filtering, and then age 15-months in used oak–barrels between 2 and 5 years old. Red wines are macerated for up to 14 days in whole bunches before aging in used oak. Charles balances brightness and acidity with earthiness and minerality, avoiding too much influence from new wood. Élevage remains “natural” wherever possible, letting gravity do a lot of the work during fermentation and respecting patterns in the lunar calendar during various stages of his process. 

Upon meeting Charles, it is easy to glean his confidence in and enthusiasm for his craft. Although he launched his project in 2022 and 2023 marks his inaugural vintage, this range of wines show sophistication well beyond their years. As his project continues to grow, it is certain to rank amongst some of the region’s greats who continue to influence Charles in his evolution.