Domaine de Montille - AOC Beaune 1er Cru "Les Greves" 2018

Domaine de Montille is not only one of the greatest Domaines in Burgundy, but one of the greatest Domaines in France. The winemaking is traditional - partial destemming followed by a relatively long maceration period. The wines are aged in oak barriques (20-30% new) and are bottled unfiltered. These are wonderfully elegant, harmonious wines that require at least five years bottle ageing to show at their very best.

The 2018 Beaune Grèves 1er Cru comes from iron-rich clayey soils and contains two-thirds whole cluster this year. It has a lovely bouquet of red berry fruit laced with slate and bay leaf aromas, very well defined and absorbing the 25% new oak easily. The palate is well balanced with a mineral-rich entry, a fine bead of acidity and touches of brown spice sprinkled over the red fruit. The stony, terse finish indicates that it could age for longer than many will grant it. (Neal Martin, Vinous, Score : 88-90)