Auxey-Duresses – Burgundy’s insider tip at the entrance to the Saint-Romain valley

Auxey-Duresses is a village appellation of the Côte de Beaune in the Burgundian Côte d’Or, recognised by AOC decree of 31 July 1937. It lies at the entrance to the east–west-running Saint-Romain valley, west of Meursault, south-west of Monthelie and east of Saint-Romain, around ten kilometres south-west of Beaune. The appellation produces both red wine from Pinot Noir and white wine from Chardonnay, in a ratio of about two thirds red to one third white. It comprises 9 Premier Cru climats but no Grands Crus, across a total of around 133 hectares of vineyard.

The name is not easy to pronounce — locals pronounce the “x” almost, but not quite, like a “double-s”. Until 1924, the village was called simply Auxey, and was then allowed, as so often in Burgundy, to append the name of its most famous climat: Les Duresses. The appellation long stood in the shadow of its great neighbours. Since, however, the white wines of neighbouring Saint-Aubin have come to prominence, the wines of Auxey too are gaining in popularity — known for delivering good quality at sensible prices.

Geography and site structure

The greater part of Auxey-Duresses lies sheltered in the valley of the Ruisseau des Cloux, which flows down from the hills towards Meursault, then into the Dheune and finally across the plain to the Saône.

The Premier Cru sites cluster on the eastern, Monthelie-facing edge of the village, where the valley is at its widest and warmest. Les Duresses itself, the continuation of the same-named site in Monthelie, faces south and east. The Premiers Crus are planted almost entirely with Pinot Noir and lie throughout on the south-facing slopes of the Montagne de Bourdon.

A further group of village sites extends westwards beyond the Premiers Crus. These are predominantly hillside sites opposite the Premiers Crus — a direct continuation of Meursault, but, through a turn of the terrain, more strongly oriented to the north. It is nonetheless a good location for white wine. As the valley narrows, the benefit of the southerly exposure diminishes, conditioned by the opposing hill and by the increasingly cool air from the Hautes-Côtes. A final small group of sites lies near the hamlet of Melin, facing south-east but high up in the valley.

Premier Cru sites

Auxey-Duresses possesses 9 climats classified as Premier Cru, all on the south- to south-east-facing slopes of the Montagne de Bourdon:

• Les Duresses – the most famous climat, continued in Monthelie
• Climat du Val and Clos du Val – south-facing sites with undulating relief
• Bas des Duresses, La Chapelle, Les Bréterins, Les Ecusseaux, Les Grands Champs, Reugne – further classified sites on the slope

A particularity: Auxey-Duresses is the only village appellation of the Côte de Beaune permitted to use lyre training — a vine-training system with two outward-diverging canopy walls.

Terroir and soils

The vineyards lie at elevations of about 250 to 400 metres, on soils of limestone, gravelly marl and clay, with clear differences between the two main slopes. The Premier Cru sites of the Montagne de Bourdon face south and south-east. On the Mélian hill, by contrast, more finely structured soils shape the sites — they anticipate those of neighbouring Meursault, which makes this location particularly interesting for white wine. Les Duresses itself stands on very gravelly marl-limestone.

Style and flavour profile

Because of their position, the grapes of Auxey-Duresses do not ripen quite as early as those of the front-line Côte communes. This is reflected in the wine: the whites tend to show a fresh, mineral character with notes of fresh almond and Reinette apple; the reds have a precise, velvety tannin structure with attractive fruit and a luminous ruby colour. Climate warming is mellowing the harder edge of the reds appreciably and lending them more grace. The reds show vivid fruit of small black berries with a lightly spicy-herbal note.

Market prices and buying guidance

Auxey-Duresses is regarded as one of the most reliable insider tips of the Côte de Beaune: good Burgundian quality at prices well below those of the prominent neighbours. Production is unusually strongly carried by the growers of the village itself — a rarity on the Côte de Beaune. Newcomers are well served by the village whites from the slopes opposite the Premiers Crus, which strike the price-to-pleasure ratio particularly well. Those seeking more depth should reach for a red Premier Cru such as Les Duresses. Many domaines receive visitors by appointment, often in cellars of considerable age.

Leading producers

• Domaine Michel Prunier et Fille – receives guests in vaulted cellars from the 17th century
• Domaine Comte Armand – with holdings in the appellation, a renowned address
• Domaine Jean-Pierre Diconne and other family estates – reliable producers of the village
• Auxey-Duresses is predominantly shaped by small family domaines; large négociant houses play a smaller role here than elsewhere on the Côte

FAQ – Frequent questions about Auxey-Duresses

Where is Auxey-Duresses?

Auxey-Duresses is a village appellation of the Côte de Beaune in the Burgundian Côte d’Or département. It lies at the entrance to the Saint-Romain valley, around ten kilometres south-west of Beaune.

What are the neighbouring communes of Auxey-Duresses?

Auxey-Duresses borders Meursault to the east, Monthelie to the north-east and Saint-Romain to the west. The longest shared boundary is with Meursault; some village sites on the Mélian hill have soils very similar to those of Meursault.

How many Premier Cru sites does Auxey-Duresses have?

The appellation comprises 9 Premier Cru climats, all on the south-facing slopes of the Montagne de Bourdon. There are no Grands Crus.

Which wines does Auxey-Duresses produce?

Both red wine from Pinot Noir and white wine from Chardonnay, in a ratio of about two thirds red to one third white. The Premier Cru sites are planted almost entirely with Pinot Noir.

Why is the village called Auxey-Duresses?

Until 1924 the village was called simply Auxey. It was then allowed — as many Burgundian communes were — to append the name of its most famous climat: Les Duresses.

How do the wines of Auxey-Duresses taste?

The whites show a fresh, mineral character with almond and apple notes. The reds have a somewhat firmer tannin structure with attractive black fruit; climate warming is lending them increasingly more grace.

What is lyre training?

Lyre training is a vine-training system with two outward-diverging canopy walls. Auxey-Duresses is the only village appellation of the Côte de Beaune permitted to use this method.

Which vintages suit Auxey-Duresses?

Strong Côte de Beaune vintages such as 2015, 2019 and 2020 are reliable here too. Since the grapes ripen a little later, the reds benefit particularly from warmer vintages.

Is Auxey-Duresses worthwhile in price terms?

Yes. The appellation offers good Burgundian quality at prices well below those of the prominent neighbours Meursault and Volnay and is considered one of the most reliable insider tips of the Côte de Beaune.