Sylvain Cathiard’s grandfather, a foundling from Savoie, came to Burgundy and found work with Domaine de la Romanée Conti (DRC) and Lamarche, subsequently buying a few parcels of vineyards for himself. His son André Cathiard began to bottle some of the crop.
In due course Sylvain began work with his father but then separated to start his own small domaine, until on his father’s retirement in 1995, Sylvain could take back the family vineyards on a renting agreement. He has now been joined by his son Sébastien.
The Cathiards have 5.5 hectares of vineyards in Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny, including tiny holdings in Clos de Vougeot and Romanée-St-Vivant. A recent addition (from 2006) to the range is the Nuits-St-Georges Aux Thorey.
90-93 Points Vinous
Healthy dark red. Alluring violet lift to the aromas of cassis, boysenberry and minerals. Juicy, sappy wine with a captivating sugar/acid balance to its intense, youthfully primary dark berry flavors. Substantial tannins are well supported by the wine’s fruit and provide excellent backbone for aging. Long on the aftertaste.
90-92 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2015 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Thorey, matured in 50% new oak, has a very harmonious bouquet with dark cherry and cranberry fruit, a touch of pomegranate emerging with time and then later there is a lovely tang of shucked oyster shell. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, certainly darker fruit here than the villages crus, more structured and masculine with a touch of confit fruit on the finish that just needs to develop a little more persistence on the aftertaste. Earlier drinking than the Aux Murgers, this is a delightful 2015 to enjoy over the next 10-12 years.