In the charming village of Vosne Romanee, the story of winemaking excellence unfolds across four generations of the Cathiard family. It all started with Alfred Cathiard, who gained invaluable experience working at the renowned Domaine de la Romanee Conti and Domaine Lamarche. With his son Andre, he established their own wine business. Initially, they sold wine in bulk, but everything changed in the 1950s when Andre decided to bottle their wines, setting the stage for a new era.
The family's dedication to quality continued with Andre's son, Sylvain, who joined the business in the 1970s. He took full control in 1986 and made a significant impact on the domaine's reputation. In 2005, Sylvain's son, Sebastien, returned to the family estate, and by 2011, he was leading the domaine himself.
Under Sylvain's careful guidance, the domaine embraced an uncompromising approach to quality. He was deeply involved in all aspects of production, from managing the vineyards and overseeing the harvest to selecting the ripest grapes and crafting his ideal wines in the cellar. The rigorous selection process can result in discarding up to 30% of the harvest in tough years, highlighting his commitment to quality over quantity. Sebastien follows in his father’s footsteps, enhancing the quality of the grapes and ensuring that only the best make it into their wines, producing lighter, purer wines that elevate the already high standards of the domaine.
What sets Cathiard wines apart is their distinct personality. They are celebrated for their elegance and fruity expressions rather than heavy structure. The crown jewels of the domaine are found in Vosne Romanee, where each vineyard has its own story to tell. For example, Premier Cru Suchots captures the classic Cathiard style, while Orveaux offers a robust, Vougeot-like strength. The Reignots vineyard, located above the famous La Romanee and Romanee Conti, produces wines of remarkable finesse that develop even greater complexity as the vines mature.
Indeed, the true testament to the Cathiard family's prowess is found in the Premier Cru Malconsorts and the Grand Cru Romanee Saint Vivant. Malconsorts presents as a more muscular wine, showcasing strong acidity and firm tannins, rewarding those who are patient. Meanwhile, Romanee Saint Vivant, which joined their portfolio in 1996, is often seen as their greatest achievement. The wine is delicately crafted, with a gorgeous texture and pristine fruit expression, finishing with a silky smoothness. Its exceptional quality can sometimes place it in the same price range as the prestigious DRC Romanee Saint Vivant, a clear demonstration of its outstanding character.
The Cathiard family has built a remarkable legacy in Vosne Romanee, combining tradition with a relentless pursuit of quality, resulting in wines that are not only delicious but also tell a rich story of their heritage.