Domaine de Villaine is located in Bouzeron, nestled in the Côte Chalonnaise region between Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay to the north and Rully and Mercurey to the south. Planted with vines by the monks of Cluny in the Middle Ages, this small, sunny valley has a rich and lengthy tradition of producing quality wines which reflect their exceptional terroir.

When Aubert de Villaine came to Burgundy to take charge of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in 1971, he set up home in the village of Bouzeron and began to put together a private domaine independent of DRC. Initially, all the vineyards were added in the 1990s. The domaine began conversion to organic farming in 1986, becoming certified in 1997.

Moderately prominent wood sets off the riper aromas of pear and apple compote, acacia blossom and a whiff of spice. There isn't quite the richness of the Bourgogne to the medium-bodied flavors though the texture is noticeably finer and particularly so on the lightly stony and more complex bone-dry finale. This could use better depth so a few short years of keeping should help. Date: Oct 2025; Drink: 2028+; Issue: 100; Rating 87-90 Points; Allen Meadows; Burghound