“Fixin is my soul.” — Amélie Berthaut

Burgundy is living through one of its most exciting phases today. If the 20th century was dominated by established names, the 21st century is witnessing the emergence of a new wine aristocracy, where talent, authenticity and once-neglected terroirs come together with rare intensity. At the epicentre of this silent revolution stands Amélie Berthaut, heir to two powerful legacies — Berthaut (Fixin) and Gerbet (Vosne-Romanée) — which she consolidated into one of the most exciting domaines of our time: Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet.

We visited the domaine in the company of Steen Öhman (Winehog), whose depth of analysis added another layer of brilliance to the conversation. The tasting was technical, passionate and, at times, emotional — especially when tasting the wines of Fixin, clearly underestimated for decades but here reborn with grace and character.

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History: Seven Generations, Two Legacies, One Destiny

The history of the Berthaut family in Fixin dates back to the late 18th century, and the family’s roots in the region are as deep as the soils they cultivate. Across the generations — from François Berthaut (1780–1873) to grandfather Guy, who began bottling after the Second World War — the domaine remained faithful to Fixin.

In 2013, with Amélie’s arrival, Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet was born, combining the vineyards of her father’s family in Fixin and Gevrey with parcels inherited from her mother, Marie-Andrée Gerbet, in Vosne-Romanée. At her side, her husband Nicolas Faure, with experience at legendary names such as DRC and Prieuré-Roch, took charge of viticulture with almost monastic rigour.

 

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The Terroirs: Fixin as Emotional and Philosophical Centre

In Burgundy, terroir is destiny. And Amélie defends hers with rare pride. Her devotion to Fixin is remarkable. A territory so often underestimated, yet one which, as Danguy & Aubertin wrote in 1896, produced wines on the level of Clos Saint-Jacques.

Key Terroirs of Fixin

• Fixin Village – A blend of five lieux-dits, marl and clay soils. Classical elegance, texture and freshness.

• Fixin En Combe Roy – A singular enclave with geological intrigue and Premier Cru-level performance.

• Fixin 1er Cru Les Hervelets – High-altitude vineyard, limestone soils, 100% whole cluster.

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Fixin Village

Vineyard Origins

Amélie Berthaut’s Fixin Village comes from four distinct lieux-dits, average vine age 40 years:

• Fixey (0.87 ha) – Sandy marl, crinoidal limestone, deep clay soils with silt and sand.

• Le Village (0.5 ha) – Clay-sandy, moderately calcareous.

• Le Pré (0.5 ha) – Deep soils within the village.

• La Sorgentière & La Vionne (0.7 ha) – Shallower soils over white oolite and salmon conglomerate.

Wine Style

Minimal whole cluster, gentle extraction, 1 year in used barrels followed by 2 months in foudre.
The result is luminous, refined and fruit-driven — one of the great value wines of the Côte de Nuits.

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Fixin “En Combe Roy”

Historical Nobility

Classified as “Deuxième Cuvée” in documents from 1871 and 1920. Previously blended into Fixin Village, now bottled separately.

Located between 300–310 metres, southeast exposure, geologically separated from Les Arvelets and Hervelets.

Soils and Geology

• Deep soils (>1 m)

• Sandy texture with strong drainage

• Gravel-rich sandy marl subsoil

• Low active limestone

Wine Style

Fleshy, layered, with red berries, exotic spice and saline nuance.
Silky tannins from the outset.
Elegance comes from harmony, not power.

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Les Hervelets vs. Les Arvelets

Originally one climat, divided after 1860.
Northernmost Premier Cru of the Côte d’Or (3.36 ha).

Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet owns 0.96 ha mid-slope.

Soils and Geology

Upper slope:

• Shallow colluvial soils

• Fossil-rich marl

• High limestone presence

Mid/lower slope:

• Deeper clay soils

• Marine fossils

• Jurassic limestone diversity

Wine Style

Les Hervelets

• 100% whole cluster

• No new oak

• High tension and mineral precision

• Vertical, energetic, structured

Les Arvelets

• Broader

• More volume

• Greater flesh and amplitude

• 

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Gevrey, Vosne, Petits Monts — Classical Burgundy with New Eyes

Outside Fixin, the domaine farms:

• Gevrey-Chambertin Les Crais & Burie

• Vosne-Romanée Aux Réas & Rivière

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Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts

Elegance at Altitude

Located above Richebourg at 330 metres.
One of the highest and steepest vineyards of the Côte de Nuits.

Soils and Exposure

• Iron-rich stony clay

• Hard limestone bedrock

• East-facing slope

• Naturally low yields

Neighbourhood

• Cros Parantoux (north)

• Aux Reignots

• La Romanée

• Richebourg (below)

Style in Amélie’s Hands

Textural lightness.
Spiced perfume.
Vertical finesse.
Ethereal presence.

★★★★☆ – 93–95 points

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Philosophy: “Des vins de garde qui se boivent”

Wines built for ageing yet enjoyable early.

2023 according to Wine Advocate:
“Supple and charming wines that will drink well pretty much on release.”

Winemaking Principles

• Indigenous yeasts

• Concrete fermentation

• Measured whole cluster

• Minimal extraction

• 0–30% new oak

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Vintage 2023: A Release to Begin With

Available in limited quantities:

• Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits

• Fixin

• Fixin En Combe Roy

• Fixin 1er Cru Les Hervelets

• Gevrey-Chambertin

• Vosne-Romanée

• Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts

2023 expresses elegance, aromatic purity and refined structure, with ageing potential and immediate charm.

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Tasting Impressions – Vintage 2023

Tasted at the domaine with Amélie Berthaut and Steen Öhman.

Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits 2023

Perfumed, light, precise. Floral lift and subtle structure.

Fixin 2023

Spiced, fresh, sculpted tannins. Finesse-driven.

Fixin En Combe Roy 2023

Deep, succulent, luminous finish. From 60-year-old vines.

Fixin 1er Cru Les Hervelets 2023

Vertical and airy. Steen’s preferred Fixin Premier Cru in 2023.

Gevrey-Chambertin 2023

Chalky texture, vibrant and silky.

Vosne-Romanée 2023

Red and dark fruit, saline finish, classic Vosne spice.

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts 2023

Intense yet ethereal. Elegant and energetic.

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A Grand Domaine in the Making

Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet is more than the sum of two legacies. It is a fulfilled promise.

Fixin, Gevrey and Vosne find here a fairer and more precise reading — elegance, subtlety and inner strength.

“Bien faire vaut mieux que dire.”

And Amélie, with humility and vision, is doing very well indeed.