From: Burgundy, France
Blend: Chardonnay
Taste & Critical Acclaim: As of October 10, 2023, this impressive wine shows a relatively neutral nose; its quality and age-worthiness show on its long-lasting, extremely mineral, and slightly austere finish. After opening, aromas of flinty petrichor, white pear, passionfruit, and citrus confit greet your olfactory senses but ramp up with a few hours open on the table or in a decanter. The palate shows off a serious minerality on the finish immediately. Still, with time, this transitions into a more cohesive palate, with parallel flavors to the aromatics found in the glass. Confit citrus meets orchard and a touch of exotic fruit (passionfruit) on the palate, vibrating on a mineral-tinged, saline finish. Delicious.
91-93 points Vinous
The 2020 Saint-Aubin En Remilly 1er Cru has a neutral nose, quite mineral-driven, touches of petrichor. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and fresh, a touch of bitter lemon with quite a saline aftertaste. Enjoy this over the next decade. Closure: Diam (NM) (12/2021)
90-93 points Jasper Morris
Glowing pale lemon, with a racy chiselled and fine bouquet, really stylish, some fresh apple notes. Good tension behind, this is not at all a monster and nor does it show the cooked stones of some Remillys in hot, dry vintages. A balanced 12.8% alcohol. (10/2021)
90-92 points Burghound
Note: from a 1.8 ha holding of 60+ year old vines There is a vague hint of the exotic suffusing the aromas of essence of pear, passion fruit and citrus confit. There is again a really lovely texture to the vibrant middle weight flavors that exude much more obvious mineral nuances on the bone-dry, slightly austere and lingering finale. (6/2022)
Pairing: The Saint-Aubin 1er Cru "En Remilly" is versatile, making it an excellent choice for various dishes. This wine complements everything from foie gras and opulent Epoisses cheese to the tangy notes of citrus and fresh produce-based salads. Seafood aficionados will rejoice with pairings like grilled lobster, langoustine, and a range of fish dishes. However, a modern take on the classic French dish, trout almondine, is our top pick to enjoy with this wine.
Fish With Toasted Almonds
By Nigella Lawson
This wine. The Saint-Aubin 1er Cru "En Remilly" embodies this splendor. Its prime location becomes evident with its vines strategically positioned behind the iconic Montrachet. Facing southward, it thrives on shallow, stony soil and relishes its mid-slope position at the valley's end. The vineyard's history is rich, with its moniker "Remilly" rooted in its Roman heritage, named after an ancient owner called Romilius.
A significant portion of the vines aging gracefully over 70 years, contributing to the massale selection and, ultimately, a wine that balances the robust generosity of its southern exposure with the mineral restraint of its unique soil.
After a gentle settling, the musts are treated to a combination of 600-liter and 228-liter barrels, where the dual alcoholic and malolactic fermentations occur. With an emphasis on purity, the winemakers use a mere 5 to 20% of new barrels, primarily sourced from Allier, and employ a long, light toasting method.
The wine then undergoes a first racking after approximately a year in wood, followed by a four to six-month stint in stainless steel vats. This careful transition ensures that the wine's innate freshness and tension are preserved, ultimately crafting a wine that mirrors its pristine terroir.
2020 was a year marked by nature's unpredictability. While the winter was relatively mild, it was punctuated by a cold spell in February. By mid-March, France was enveloped in both a lockdown and an embrace of prolonged fine weather. However, the summer's intense heat and subpar rainfall led to uneven water stress, signaling the changing climate and the diverse terroirs of Burgundy. Nevertheless, the harvest remained balanced and pristine, yielding wines of opulence yet retaining an enviable freshness.
About: Burgundy's heart lies a tale steeped in history and passion, with Domaine de Montille at its center. The tale goes back to the 17th century, within the village of Créancey, where the roots of this illustrious estate can be traced to the Lords of Commeau. As time unfolded, the estate transformed. By 1863, through the union of Étienne Joseph Marie Léonce Bizouard de Montille and Marie Eléonore Chauvelot de Chevannes, it was christened with its present name.
Spanning a vast twenty hectares, Domaine de Montille was home to some of the most enviable plots of Pinot Noir in both Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuit. Yet, in a twist of fate, the brutal impact of phylloxera on the European viticulture landscape led to the selling of these prized parcels. By the 1950s, the grandeur of this once vast estate dwindled to a mere 3 hectares, mostly centered around the village of Volnay.
The narrative, however, took a turn when Hubert de Montille, undeterred by the challenges, began to reshape its destiny in the late 1940s. Straddling his professions of law and viticulture, Hubert embarked on an ambitious journey. Acquiring beautiful plots and staunchly defending the authentic expression of Burgundy terroirs, he set the estate on a course to legend. Hubert's devotion to the terroir was unwavering, emphasizing its importance in an era where over 90% of regional wines were standardized in style.
As the torch passed to his son, Etienne de Montille, the narrative of rejuvenation and expansion continued. Over two decades, Etienne has skillfully orchestrated the estate's rise, establishing its reputation in reds and whites. The acquisition of lands in Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault, and beyond saw the estate return to its 19th-century stature, nearly touching 35 hectares. But Etienne's vision didn't stop at the borders of France. With ventures like Racines estates in California and Montille x Hokkaido in Japan launched in 2017, his audacious spirit shone through.
At the heart of Domaine de Montille is a blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned wisdom. The collaborative efforts of Brian and Jacques, from Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, respectively, culminate in the creation of fine Burgundy wines. More than twenty individuals from diverse corners of the world breathe life into this estate, unified by their shared passion for winemaking.