2022, Domaine de Villaine, BOURGOGNE CÔTE CHALONNAISE, Rouge, 'La Digoine'

Domaine Notes: With its nose direct and serious, the Digoine give the impression of sobriety. On the palate, the frankness of the fruit enhanced by the tannins is a little more present than those of La Fortune. These tannins, even if they concentrate the texture of the wine, they remain however, silky and give La Digoine a saline sensation softening the wine and making it digest. As always, we can perceive this wine is nourished by the energy of the terroir which expresses itself through ripe fruit. It will be a few years before its frank and juicy expression can be appreciated.

No deeper in colour than la Fortune, though it usually is. A deep cherry fruit on the nose, and a significant weight on the palate, with a more severe, even furry, note in the mouth. 40% whole bunch, which still needs digesting. Touch of sandalwood too. Not so harmonious now, but there is more promise here for the longer term. 13.5% alcohol. **** 89 Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy (2024).

A ripe and fresh nose combines plenty of earth and sauvage elements with those of mostly red berries and a hint of anise. There is slightly better density to the delicious and slightly finer medium weight flavours that possess a velvety mouthfeel, all wrapped in a lightly stony, youthfully austere and built-to-age finish. This is consistently one of the surest values at the Bourgogne level in all of Burgundy and the 2022 will only add to that track record. 88 Burghound (2024)

Drinking Window: 2027 - 2031