Domaine de Villaine Les Montots Mercurey Rouge 2023

Domaine de Villaine is the esteemed private holding of Aubert de Villaine—for decades the co-manager of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)—and his wife Pamela, located in the tranquil village of Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise region of Burgundy. They established the winery in 1971, preferring to make their home in the quiet countryside outside the Côte de Nuits. The domaine is now managed by their nephew, Pierre de Benoist, who continues their commitment to quality and expression of terroir. Domaine de Villaine is particularly famous for elevating the Aligoté grape from a humble base wine to a serious, complex varietal capable of aging, and they were instrumental in Bouzeron becoming the only Aligoté-only appellation in Burgundy in 1998.

The vineyards of the domaine span several appellations, including Bouzeron, Rully, Mercurey, and Santenay, with various village and Premier Cru plots. The Aligoté vines, notably the high-quality, lower-yielding Aligoté Doré clone propagated by massal selection from their own ancient vines, thrive in the sun-drenched, nutrient-poor, limestone-rich slopes of Bouzeron, a site first planted by the monks of Cluny in the Middle Ages. Other vineyards, like the Rully Premier Cru Les Grésigny or the Mercurey Les Montots, each contribute unique soil and microclimate characteristics that are faithfully represented in the final wines.

The winemaking philosophy at Domaine de Villaine is rooted in a deep respect for traditional Burgundian methods and organic/biodynamic viticulture. The estate became certified organic in 1997, avoiding all pesticides and herbicides and using only organic vegetal compost. All grapes are harvested manually and undergo rigorous sorting to ensure optimal quality. In the cellar, vinification is natural, often with wild yeasts, and maturation takes place in a combination of stainless steel tanks, tuns, and oak casks, with only a very moderate use of new oak to prevent wood flavors from masking the wine's true character and finesse. The resulting wines are pure, elegant, and vibrant expressions of their specific origins, combining freshness and fruit with a distinct minerality and the ability to age gracefully.