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2020 Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise Rouge “La Digoine”
Domaine de VillaineLa Digoine is the first wine I think of—after the Bouzeron, of course—when I think of Domaine de Villaine. The name itself exudes aristocratic class. This noble red Burgundy has always drunk well above its price. It has been produced since the 1973 vintage, and an overwhelming majority of those vintages are still drinking well. To smell it is to know it: noir, peppery, mysterious; these characteristics are a constant. La bouche is masculine and sinewy, very pure, with a beautiful noble tannin and excellent finish. Our longtime clients buy this with the same confidence that they buy Chevillon, Guillemot, and Thivin. I know I don’t want a hole in my vertical and plan on doing the same!
—Dixon Brooke
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Pinot Noir |
Appellation: | Bourgogne |
Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Producer: | Domaine A. & P. de Villaine |
Winemaker: | Aubert de Villaine |
Vineyard: | 35 - 45 years old, 1.8 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone |
Aging: | Aged in wood cuves with a minimum 2/3 of the stems, depending on the vintage |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 14.5% |
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About The Producer
Domaine A. & P. de Villaine
About The Region
Burgundy
In eastern central France, Burgundy is nestled between the wine regions of Champagne to the north, the Jura to the east, the Loire to the west, and the Rhône to the south. This is the terroir par excellence for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The southeast-facing hillside between Dijon in the north and Maranges in the south is known as the Côte d’Or or “golden slope.” The Côte d’Or comprises two main sections, both composed of limestone and clay soils: the Côte de Nuits in the northern sector, and the Côte de Beaune in the south. Both areas produce magnificent whites and reds, although the Côte de Beaune produces more white wine and the Côte de Nuits more red.
Chablis is Burgundy’s northern outpost, known for its flinty and age-worthy Chardonnays planted in Kimmeridgian limestone on an ancient seabed. Vézelay is a smaller area south of Chablis with similar qualities, although the limestone there is not Kimmeridgian.
To the south of the Côte de Beaune, the Côte Chalonnaise extends from Chagny on its northern end, down past Chalon-sur-Saône and encompasses the appellations of Bouzeron in the north, followed by Rully, Mercurey, Givry, and Montagny.
Directly south of the Chalonnaise begins the Côte Mâconnais, which extends south past Mâcon to the hamlets of Fuissé, Vinzelles, Chaintré, and Saint-Véran. The Mâconnais is prime Chardonnay country and contains an incredible diversity of soils.
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Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
When buying red Burgundy, I think we should remember:
1. Big wines do not age better than light wine.
2. A so-called great vintage at the outset does not guarantee a great vintage for the duration.
3. A so-called off vintage at the outset does not mean the wines do not have a brilliant future ahead of them.
4. Red Burgundy should not taste like Guigal Côte-Rôtie, even if most wine writers wish it would.
5. Don’t follow leaders; watch yer parking meters.
Inspiring Thirst, page 174