In 1971, Aubert de Villaine, the man at the head of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, bought this Bouzeron property with his wife Pamela. It is in a far smaller setting than in the Côte de Nuits, where the Villaine couple make superb wines, both red and white. He was the great ambassador of the Classification of Burgundy Climats at the World Heritage of Humanity and applies the same methods to the DRC: biodynamic cultivation, natural winemaking, hand-picked and sorted grapes. His nephew Pierre de Benoist gradually took over the Villaine domaine (formerly called A & P de Villaine). The wines at Mercurey, Rully or Bouzero have become amongst the finest on the Côte Chalonnaise.

This cuvée was first produced in the early 2010s, which was when Aubert de Villaine and his nephew Pierre de Benoist first started to work these ancestral premier cru vines. The grapes enjoy perfect exposure for optimum ripeness. The vines are located mid-slope on marl-limestone soils, and are cared for in accordance with biodynamic principles. The grapes are – unsurprisingly – harvested by hand, and the gentle pressing process is conducted on whole grape bunches. The wine is then matured naturally. Élevage is conducted in casks and foudre tuns. This premier cru is seductive in its complexity, its refinement and its indulgent notes of fresh and stoned fruit. On the palate, too, complexity is the watchword: taut, mineral and fresh at the same time, it reveals genuine sensuality and superb length. Although the wine can be drunk straight away, our advice would be to wait for 8-10 years. It will be perfect as an accompaniment to gourmet dishes such as fish, white meat and cheese... from Burgundy, of course!