Description
Rising star Etienne Julien has put the small marble-quarry town of Comblanchien on the map. Since his first vintage in 2012, demand for his wines has increased ten-fold.
Etienne is the fifth generation at the helm of this 10-hectare estate. His father, Gérard, spent the 70s and 80s purchasing wonderful old-vine plots in Nuits-St-Georges plus a fine parcel of Échezeaux Grand Cru. He has continued the Domaine’s upwards trajectory and his vision has seen a move towards a more organic way of farming and an increased proportion of new oak barrels. The results are bold, structured and energetic wines that are a fine expression of Pinot Noir.
“Etienne Julien, who is the 5th generation to direct his family’s domaine that was founded in 1882, joined his father Gérard in 2012. More than half of the domaine’s holdings are comprised of the appellation Côte de Nuits-Villages. With respect to the 2022 vintage, Julien could not attend the tasting as contractors were putting the finishing touches on a new cuverie and it was essential that he be present. I was able to taste through the range but I don’t however that I was impressed with the quality. I would also say that the style seems to be evolving to one that is slightly bigger, richer and denser compared to what it was over the last few vintages.” Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2024
‘Ladies and gentlemen, we have a fine and consistent Burgundy vintage on our hands! Very good wines and plenty of them, consistent in both colours and across the region…..’
‘Etienne Julien’s first vintage was 2012 when he took over vinification responsibility from his father. Now he runs a domaine of 10ha of which one is currently pulled out. Half of production is in Côte de Nuits-Villages. The next plan is to build a new cuverie, and then perhaps take a closer look at organic farming. All the grapes are destemmed and given a short cool pre-ferment. There is now much less punching down, more pumping over, spending 15 to 18 days in the fermenting vat in total. The wines are then matured for a year or so in wood followed by six months in tank. Etienne likes to use quite a high proportion of new wood, his preferred cooper being Cavin.’ Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy, 2023
Reviews for this wine:
93 points, Allen Meadow’s Burghound, Jan 2024‘A much more floral-suffused nose speaks of wild red currant, spice and more subtle hints of earth and the sauvage. There is a lovely sense of underlying tension to the rich and suave medium-bodied flavors that retain good detail on the mildly austere and rustic finale. This could use better depth so a few years of keeping are in order.’
‘Blended from five plots, as per usual. 40% whole bunch vinification and 45% of new wood. Dense purple with an initially solid matter to the fruit which is then enlivened by the while bunch component. The fruit continues very nicely across the palate and finishes well with just a lick of new wood. Drink from 2026-2029.’ 89-90 points, Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy, Nov 2023
RRP $123 Our Special Price 98.99 – Limited stock
