Les Suchots is the largest Premier Cru climat in Vosne Romanee, sandwiched between Echezeaux and Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru. Over 100 domaines craft wines from this site, making it rather like Vosne Romanee’s own version of Clos de Vougeot. Diverse handling means that the best of Suchots is to be found by those who know producer styles well.  It’s one of the only two Premier Crus that sits on the almost-continuous belt of Grand Cru vineyards in Cote de Nuits. Given this, it’s been a long-time debate as to why this prized site doesn’t made it to be classified or promoted Grand Cru at some point. The 13-hectare site is planted exclusively to Pinot Noir and is dotted with  top domaines.

Grand Cru neighbours aside, Les Suchots locates beneath Aux Brulées and Les Beau Monts. The most complex of wines generally come from vineyards near Les Beau Monts where it shows good lift and vivid minerality from shallower soil. When crafted by skilled hands, the best of Suchots can easily match the versatility of an Echezeaux. Over the years, Les Suchots has been widely recognized as an “unofficial” Grand Cru due to its similar terroir to Echezeaux, boasting excellent drainage and marly clay soils. Suchots is the perfect option for those looking for Grand Cru-pedigreed wines that are offering at Premier Cru pricings. For the creme de la creme, go for Sylvain Cathiard for a voluptuous, sensual expression; or alternatively, go for Prieure Roch if you have good patience, and prefers elegance and earthy nuances. Jean Grivot and Alain Hudelot Noellot offer relative value-for-quality from this prized site; whilst Louis Jadot and Maison Roche de Bellene (by famed winemaker Nicolas Potel) are true value-for-money heros.