Some wines do not need to raise their voice to impress. A single sip suffices to comprehend the decades of expertise, patience, and respect for the land that lie behind them. Domaine de Villaine Rully 1er Cru Les Margotés is one such wine. It serves as an impeccable introduction to the savoir-faire of a family that has made discretion and excellence their hallmark.
It is no coincidence that the estate has received a star from the Revue du Vin de France and was named one of the top five producers of 2021 by Bourgogne Aujourd’hui. Such accolades are not given lightly; they are earned row by row, cluster by cluster.
Aubert de Villaine, a legendary figure and co-owner of the renowned La Romanée-Conti, resides and works in Bouzeron, the first village south of the Côte de Beaune. There, in 1971, he acquired the estate that bears his name. Since 2003, he has shared the management with his nephew Pierre de Benoist, and together they apply the same rigour to each vineyard as they do to the most celebrated grand crus of Burgundy: tradition, transparency, purity, and organic cultivation (adopted as early as 1986, long before it became fashionable).
Among their treasures is Les Margotés, a parcel of just 0.75 hectares planted in 1999, with marl and limestone soils that embody the best of the Chalonnais region. Located at the southern end of one of the best-exposed slopes in the Rully appellation, to the southeast, this vineyard benefits from perfect sunlight and a breeze that regulates ripening. Cultivated organically from its inception, Les Margotés is a small natural laboratory where chardonnay expresses itself with finesse and balance. Here, the grapes are left on the vine for as long as possible to achieve impeccable natural ripeness. Harvesting is done by hand, with whole clusters being pressed. In the winery, the must rests naturally before being transferred by gravity into barrels and wooden vats. The ageing process lasts between 12 and 18 months on lees, without stirring, preserving all the wine's freshness and texture. After bottling, the wine rests for another year before being released to the market. Yes, one must wait... but the reward is well worth it.
Domaine de Villaine Rully 1er Cru Les Margotés is a chardonnay that does not seek to dazzle with artifices, but rather to seduce with the natural class that only comes when excellence becomes customary. Undoubtedly, a charming invitation to discover the savoir-faire of the de Villaine family.