Domaine A. et P. de Villaine : Rully 1er cru "Les Margotés" 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Rully 1er Cru "Les Margotés" 2022 from Domaine de Villaine

Tasting notes

Colour
This white wine reveals a magnificent golden-yellow colour, brightened by youthful green hues and a radiant shine.

Nose
Wonderfully fresh, the bouquet first reveals aromas of white flowers, such as honeysuckle and acacia, mingled with citrus notes. Subtle mineral touches of chalk and gunflint emerge, before giving way, with aeration, to nuances of white peach, candied lemon and delicate saline notes.

Palate
The texture is both round and precise, carried by a perfectly calibrated acidity that lends beautiful vibrancy. Dense and concentrated, the palate expresses a remarkable balance between delicate fruit and mineral structure, stretching towards a long, vibrant and saline finish.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs wonderfully with baked fish, shellfish or seafood in sauce. It also pairs very well with white meats, such as roast chicken with cream and mushrooms, as well as hard cheeses like Comté or fresh goat cheeses.

Service and storage

For optimal enjoyment, this wine should be served at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This vintage can be enjoyed now, but also boasts excellent ageing potential, allowing it to be kept until around 2038.

The elegance and minerality of a great white Burgundy

The estate

Founded in 1971 by Aubert and Pamela de Villaine, Domaine de Villaine is located in Bouzeron, in the Côte Chalonnaise in Burgundy. Initially made up of abandoned vines, the estate has grown patiently to reach around 30 hectares today. A pioneer, the estate committed early on to environmentally responsible viticulture, achieving organic certification as early as 1997, before moving towards biodynamics. Today, Pierre de Benoist, nephew of the founders, runs the estate with a philosophy centred on the authentic and meticulous expression of each terroir.

The vineyard

Acquired around 2016, the Rully 1er Cru "Les Margotés" plot covers 0.40 hectares at the far southern end of one of the appellation's best-exposed slopes, just below the famous Clos Saint-Jacques. Facing south-east and swept by the wind, the vines, the oldest of which were planted in 1946, thrive at altitudes between 270 and 350 metres. They grow on light clay-limestone soil, offering excellent drainage and giving the wine its mineral signature.

The vintage

The year 2022 was marked by a hot, dry summer season. Thanks to the cooler microclimate of the appellation's southern part, the vines were able to withstand the excessive heat. The harvest, which took place from late August to mid-September, produced generous yields following a difficult previous year. The harvested berries showed excellent ripeness, promising highly aromatic wines.

Winemaking and ageing

The grapes are hand-harvested and rigorously sorted. Vinification begins with gentle whole-bunch pneumatic pressing, followed by natural settling. Fermentation takes place using indigenous yeasts in large oak foudres and half-muids. Ageing continues for 12 to 18 months, mostly in foudres with a small portion in barrels, using a very low proportion of new oak. The wine then rests for an additional year in bottle before release.

Grape variety

Chardonnay (100%).