2010 Domaine A. et P. de Villaine, Bourgogne Rouge “La Digoine” Côte Chalonnaise, Red Burgundy.
This small family estate in the Cote Chalonnaise is owned by Aubert de Villaine, the famous director of the fabled Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (DRC) is run by Pierre de Benoist, Aubert’s nephew, to the same standards as “The Domaine” and the wines here are fantastic values and pure expressions of their terroir. Each vintage is ultra highlighted and transmitted in each of the de Villaine wines, which I have followed for quite a few vintages now, with 2007 being light, pure and minerally, the 2008 being earthy, gripping and intense, while the 2009 were packed with ripe fruit and easy with charming openness. Now the 2010 comes along and wow, it is as fine and as elegant as you could ever want with rich fruit, bright acidity, vivid flavors, great details and beautiful length. For me, these 2010 de Villaine wines are the best yet, especially this magical 2010 La Digoine Bourgogne, a truly dream like Pinot Noir with class and grace in spades. This medium bodied Burgundy opens with a mineral laced nose that has a bouquet of fresh roses and wild flowers, asian spices and red currants leading to a round, giving palate, that is silky, but still full of life and vibrancy as only a great Burgundy can do, with raspberry, plum and red cherry fruit, river stones, pomegranate and cranberry. There is lots to love here and I recommend finding some while they last!
($49 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
