Dujac : Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Les Beaux Monts" Domaine 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Les Beaux Monts" 2021 from Domaine Dujac

Tasting

Appearance

The color shows a garnet hue characteristic of Pinot Noir grown on Burgundy’s cool terroirs, avoiding excessively dark tones.

Nose

The bouquet reveals notes of red fruits, plums, vine smoke and exotic spices, accompanied by distinctive peppery touches. With aeration, the nose unfolds a lifted, vertical complexity with aromas of redcurrant, raspberry and cherry, enhanced by mineral nuances that reflect the vineyard’s limestone geology. Floral and spicy notes gradually emerge, characteristic of the whole-cluster vinification practiced by the estate.

Palate

On the palate, this wine offers a medium-bodied structure with impressive line and definition for a premier cru. The palate reveals generous presence without heaviness, with fine, silky tannins free of any harshness. The mid-palate expresses the fragrant, aromatic dimensions for which Domaine Dujac is renowned, creating a balance between the initial fruit-driven impact and the complexity that develops. The finish stretches out with beautiful persistence, carrying the wine’s floral and mineral characters into a long conclusion that points to significant aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Les Beaux Monts" 2021 pairs beautifully with refined poultry preparations such as squab or guinea fowl, served with mushroom sauces. Delicate red meats such as beef tournedos with jus, herb-crusted rack of lamb, or veal in a creamy sauce also make excellent matches. Aged soft-ripened cheeses such as Cîteaux, young Époisses, Saint-Nectaire or Chaource create subtle harmonies with this wine.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Les Beaux Monts" 2021 at a temperature of 15-16°C. Aeration for forty-five minutes to one hour allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. The optimal drinking window is approximately between 2027 and 2030, with the ability to evolve gracefully until around 2035-2040 for well-stored bottles.

A Vosne-Romanée premier cru of refined elegance from Domaine Dujac

The estate

The Domaine Dujac was founded in 1967 by Jacques Seysses, who acquired Domaine Graillet in Morey-Saint-Denis in Burgundy. Today, the estate spans around 17.5 hectares across the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Jeremy Seysses, Jacques’s son, currently heads the estate alongside his wife Diana Snowden, an oenologist trained at the University of California, Davis, and his brother Alec. The estate is recognized for its pioneering approach to whole-cluster vinification and its commitment to organic and biodynamic viticulture, certified since 2011. Domaine Dujac wines stand out for their elegance, aromatic finesse and exceptional aging potential.

The vineyard

The 1er cru "Les Beaux Monts" comes from a renowned Climat among the commune’s fourteen premier crus of Vosne-Romanée, one of the most prestigious villages in Burgundy. The vineyard occupies a distinctive position to the west of the commune, on the border with Flagey-Échézeaux, on an east-facing slope. The soils are composed of iron-rich clay over a limestone base, particularly well suited to expressing Pinot Noir. This plot was acquired by Domaine Dujac in 2005 when purchasing the vines of Domaine Charles Thomas, in partnership with the De Montille family.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage proved particularly challenging in Burgundy. A severe frost in early April, with temperatures dropping to between -5°C and -6°C, destroyed around 50% of the anticipated crop in the region. The vines needed two weeks to recover and produce secondary buds. Summer brought below-average temperatures and heavy rainfall in July and August, increasing disease pressure. Harvest began exceptionally late, around September 15, and continued through the end of September. Despite these challenges, the vintage produced wines of unexpected purity and definition.

Vinification and aging

The Vosne-Romanée 1er cru "Les Beaux Monts" 2021 was vinified according to Domaine Dujac’s philosophy of minimal intervention. Fermentation was carried out with indigenous yeasts from the vineyard, with a significant proportion of whole clusters in the estate’s signature style. Premier crus generally receive between 60% and 80% whole bunches. Fermentation took place over around two weeks, with light punch-downs followed by gentle pump-overs. The wine was then transferred by gravity into oak barrels for aging over fourteen to eighteen months, with a proportion of 60% to 80% new oak typical of the estate’s premier crus.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir