Rully 1er cru Cloux 2020 Domaine de Villaine

The Rully 1er Cru Cloux Blanc 2020 from Domaine de Villaine is one of the stars of the De Villaine collection, a Chardonnay of serious energy, aromatic finesse, refined bitterness and a long, elegant finish. A wine built to age, from a strong vintage ready to evolve gracefully over the coming decade.

Terroir and vines

Les Cloux sits at the heart of the Premier Cru slope in Rully. The domaine acquired this parcel just before the 2018 vintage, drawn by its ancient and almost forgotten reputation as one of Rully's finest sites. Positioned mid slope and facing east, it benefits from a natural spring that emerges on the property, precious in hot, dry years. The Chardonnay vines, around 45 years old, cover 1.1 hectares on clay limestone soils under certified organic farming. Harvest is manual. Ageing lasts 12 to 18 months in large foudres, demi muids (10 per cent new oak) and barrels.

Tasting profile

The nose reveals, despite its youth, an attractive aromatic palette ranging from citrus to spring flowers: honeysuckle, acacia, hawthorn, lime and mandarin. There is a sense of understated complexity, elegant and harmonious. The palate is refined and refreshing, thanks to bitterness from the grape skins that gives the wine a saline texture and pronounced finish. The roundness of the fruit and softness of the finish dress a wine made for time.

The domaine

Acquired in 1971 by Aubert de Villaine, co owner of Romanée Conti, and his wife Pamela, Domaine de Villaine is now run by his nephew Pierre de Benoist. Based in Bouzeron, it cultivates Aligoté Doré, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir through organic and biodynamic viticulture, and its Rully Premiers Crus reveal another dimension of this work.

Food pairing

This Rully Premier Cru pairs well with sea bream carpaccio, roasted lobster, frog legs or creamed poultry. Served around 12°C, it can be enjoyed now for the elegant expression of its fruit, or cellared for ten to twenty years to reveal the texture and quality of its terroir.