Notify me
2021 Rully Blanc 1er Cru
Domaine de Villaine
When the universe sends harsh weather your way, what do you do? If you’re Pierre de Benoist, you make a pure and remarkably aromatic Chardonnay. Hailstorms destroyed much of the 2021 crop. So instead of producing six separate premier cru bottlings, he blended them together into a single cuvée, balancing each parcel’s unique character in a delicate harmony. Ripe pear plays against tart lemon curd, while the richness of the fruit contrasts with the well-defined mineral structure. A refined bitterness punctuates the long, elegant finish, promising that this blanc can be enjoyed for years to come. But you should open a bottle today; it absolutely dazzles now, so don’t miss this rare offering from Domaine de Villaine.
—Meghan Foley
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Chardonnay |
Appellation: | Rully |
Country: | France |
Region: | Burgundy |
Producer: | Domaine A. & P. de Villaine |
Winemaker: | Pierre de Benoist |
Vineyard: | 10-85 years |
Soil: | Clay, limestone with sand, marl, and silt |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 13% |
More from this Producer or Region

2022 Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise Rouge “La Digoine”
France | Burgundy
Very pure, with a beautiful noble tannin and excellent finish.

2021 Bourgogne Rouge
France | Burgundy
This is not yet another Bourgogne Rouge—you’ll enjoy a stunning example of talent, terroir, and the Burgundian tradition all in one bottle.

2022 Mercurey Rouge “Les Montots”
France | Burgundy
It is easy to forget that it isn’t a premier cru

2020 Rully Rouge 1er Cru “Cloux”
France | Burgundy
Vigneron Pierre de Benoist thinks the Cloux vineyard is arguably the best parcel for Pinot Noir in Rully.

2022 Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise Rouge “La Fortune”
France | Burgundy
This rouge is so silky and aromatic, reminiscent of strawberries and cherries. Open it over the next five years to fully enjoy its bright, fresh character.

2020 Rully Rouge 1er Cru “Les Champs Cloux”
France | Burgundy
Les Champs Cloux fresh, with good acidity, but also among the domaine’s more robust reds.

2020 Rully Blanc 1er Cru “Cloux”
France | Burgundy
From an east-facing premier cru parcel on steep slopes, this rich and noble white wine is long, elegant, and refreshing.

2022 Bouzeron Aligoté
France | Burgundy
Aligoté may actually be an even more precise conduit for Burgundian terroir than Chardonnay.

2020 Rully Blanc 1er Cru “Les Margotés”
France | Burgundy
Evoking fresh orchard fruit, white flowers, and chalk, Les Margotés is remarkably pure and will continue to age beautifully over 10-15 years.

2022 Rully Blanc “Les Saint-Jacques”
France | Burgundy
Despite its voluptuousness, the wine is dry, fresh, very stony, and even salty.
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.
More from Burgundy or France
2022 Gevrey-Chambertin
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2023 Vézelay Blanc “La Châtelaine”
La Sœur Cadette France | Burgundy
2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Hameau de Blagny”
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
2023 Chablis “Hommage”
Famille Savary France | Burgundy
2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge “Vieilles Vignes”
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy
2023 Bourgogne Rouge
La Sœur Cadette France | Burgundy
2012 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2020 Pouilly-Fuissé “La Croix Vieilles Vignes”
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Tonnerre
Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2022 Givry Rouge 1er Cru “A Vigne Rouge”
Domaine François Lumpp France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Rouge
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2023 Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume”
Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2022 Gevrey-Chambertin
Domaine Lucien Boillot et Fils France | Burgundy
2023 Vézelay Blanc “La Châtelaine”
La Sœur Cadette France | Burgundy
2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Hameau de Blagny”
Comtesse de Chérisey France | Burgundy
2023 Chablis “Hommage”
Famille Savary France | Burgundy
2021 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge “Vieilles Vignes”
Bruno Colin France | Burgundy
2023 Bourgogne Rouge
La Sœur Cadette France | Burgundy
2012 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2020 Pouilly-Fuissé “La Croix Vieilles Vignes”
Domaine Robert-Denogent France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Tonnerre
Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
2022 Givry Rouge 1er Cru “A Vigne Rouge”
Domaine François Lumpp France | Burgundy
2022 Bourgogne Rouge
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2023 Chablis 1er Cru “Fourchaume”
Roland Lavantureux France | Burgundy
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
You don’t have to be rich to cellar a great wine.