Les Perrieres

Beaune was one of the areas most hit by frost in 2016, although, placed towards the north of the appellation, Les Perrières fared better than some. Historically the limestone content would favour Chardonnay here but, according to Brian Sieve, warmer vintages in recent years have led to a softer, riper style of Beaune. He used one-third whole-cluster this year, scaled back from 2015. Very succulent, there is a lovely cherry and violet, perfumed lift to the finish. Drink 2020-2025.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

Domaine de Montille was developed by Hubert de Montille (1930-2014), a prominent Dijon lawyer, who inherited 2.5 hectares of vineyards in Volnay in 1947. Over the years he acquired further parcels in Volnay, Pommard and Puligny-Montrachet Les Caillerets. Today the business is run by his son Étienne who has extended the domaine by purchases of vineyards in Beaune, Corton and the Côte de Nuits, including some marvellous Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts. The vineyards are farmed biodynamically and the red wines are increasingly vinified with whole bunches. Following the splendid successes here in 2015, this vintage provides a contrast in style, but with reasons to buy that are just as compelling. Volumes are down in certain appellations and winemaking has been tempered to release more of the vintage’s purity of fruit and definition of terroir. Use of whole bunches for the reds continues, but not by rote, with proportions being adjusted according to each cuvée’s requirements.

This is one-third whole-bunch this year, using the older vine fruit and de-stemming the younger portions where stems are typically less ripe. The high active limestone content in this vineyard gives an energetic and mineral expression of Pinot Noir, with succulent cherry fruit in the middle and a violet perfumed lift to accompany the chalky tannins. Drink 2021-2026.

Winemaker Brian Sieve draws comparisons between the white wines of 2017 and 2014, explaining that the texture, weight and freshness are very similar in both years, although 2017 has perhaps a little more fruit ripeness, along with excellent tension and persistence. He believes that this same freshness and brightness in the reds will provide ageing capacity, pointing out that they worked hard to restrict the yield of Pinot Noir to achieve riper grapes. Overall slightly less whole-bunch fermentation was used as Brian felt the stems and fruit were not as ripe as in richer vintages.

One third whole-bunch vinified, for the old vines, this is dense purple, with deep raspberry fruit. The wine displays a crunchy, fresh, mineral finish, reflecting the limestone content of the soil here, with some tannins neatly framed by the fruit.

Étienne de Montille began picking whites on 10th and reds on 13th September, relatively early. Despite the hail (worst in Pommard than Beaune, Volnay less) yields were slightly improved compared to 2013. The fruit was clean with small berries, and beautiful clusters, so they were able to continue with their usual programme of whole-bunch vinification in most instances. The details are given for each wine. They will be long lived wines.

Sixty-six percent whole-bunch and 25 percent new wood, the resulting wine is very dense purple. The nose is ultra-concentrated with a feeling of nutty density. Really tightly wound, the potential here is huge, with amazing density. It is the best wine that we have tasted from this vineyard. Drink 2020-2028.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

This is a vintage to buy from Domaine de Montille without hesitation, whether it be the Bourgogne Rouge, a Grand Cru or indeed anything in between, such as his marvellous Volnays and Pommards. The whites are very smart, too. In common with other vignerons, Etienne and his cellar master, Brian Sieve, have opted for a higher proportion of whole bunches this year. The grapes were picked between 1st and 5th September, with alcohol levels coming in below 13 percent.

With an explosive and seductive red fruit nose, this Beaune from Domaine de Montille is pretty and appealing but with hidden depths of fruit that hint at future charms.

This is archetypal Beaune elegance, all in accordance with the de Montille style. Very prettily perfumed, medium weight but stylish with some crunchy red fruit on the palate and persistent perfume.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Director

Domaine de Montille picked between the 18th and 26th September in 2010. The red wines, made by American Brian Sieve (one of two winemakers in this catalogue born in Indianapolis!) under the surveillance of Etienne de Montille, now show a consistency of style and quality that perhaps was not entirely there a few years ago. The whites are the responsibility of Etienne’s sister Alix and maintain the class of recent times. Together they have produced a fine result in 2010.

A deep bright pink-purple colour with a fresh sherbetty nose, lovely red fruit behind, while the discreet trace of acidity maintaining a thread of freshness throughout. The stony character of Les Perrières shows through.
Jasper Morris MW - Wine Buyer

Brian has used two-thirds whole-bunch this year, adding some mid-palate sweetness and reinforcing the chalky tannins of Les Perrières to give added freshness. The high active limestone content in this vineyard gives an energetic and mineral expression of Pinot Noir, with a creamy attack and high-quality chalk tannins on the finish. Drink2022-2028.

There is slightly more new oak here, around 30%. Montille’s 0.5 hectares are in the upper part of the vineyard, lending a cooler, stonier feel and a lemon-and-lime fruit profile. This is a brooding wine, with serious power which is yet to be unleashed. The chewy, grippy texture gives a hint of what is to come. Drink2025-2032.