Vincent Dureuil Janthial

Vincent's family has roots in the village of Rully dating back to the 13th century, so they know a thing or two about how to grow grapes there. For centuries, the Côte Chalonnaise has played step-sibling to the northern Côte de Beaune, home to the greatest Chardonnay vineyards; of late, however, there's a renaissance afoot, starting with this rockstar.

Rully could be considered a continuation of the vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet, though it is bordered directly by Mercurey and Bouzeron, lesser-known regions. What does make Vincent's vineyards remarkable in contrast to those neighboring villages is the dominance of the limestone in his vineyards, promoting the same sort of precision you find in Chassagne and Puligny's greatest wines.

The village Rully is tended to as if it were a Grand Cru - the barrels are custom-crafted to create ultimate symphony of flavor, and the vineyards of 15 to 70 years of age produce tremendously complex flavors of citrus and stone fruits with ample stony and spicy qualities. Get your hands on the minuscule quantities of Premier Crus whenever you can find them, too!

As we alluded to, the reds are also special. The Rully rouge comes from 40 year-old vines, and sees about one third new oak before it gets bottled. Wound around the spicy core of dark red fruits are all sorts of baking spices and hints of smoke.

Rully "Maizières" comes from more clay-based soils and is thus a bit broader and concentrated, but with great spark and an herbal-spice tone.

The Nuits-Saint-Georges "Argillieres" is a classic, coming from 40-80 year-old vines planted on limestone-clay soils that have plenty of gravel mixed in for good drainage. This sees about 50% new oak, and with plenty of concentration and silky tannins, you're in for a treat either young or with age.