Between 1987 and 1997, the Montanet family and some of their closest friends set about clearing and replanting 12.5 hectares of vines on slopes in Vezelay, a small appellation right up in the Auxerrois, Northern Burgundy.  These were spread over 18 separate plots and the amount of back breaking work involved cannot begin to be described.     If nothing else, this wine should be bought as a mark of respect.

Happily, there are myriad other reasons.  Most of their vineyards are on an unusual local soil type – Bathonian limestone and Liassic marlstone – and their intention has always been to make wines which honestly reflect both these and the weather in any given year.  Wines that are real, in other words.    They hand pick, use only natural yeasts and there is only the merest smidge of sulphur dioxide and no new oak.  The results are superb.  Incredibly vibrant red fruit – pomegranates, cranberries and red current  with the great clean, mineral finish which limestone often gives.    “Nothing too much.  Everything is there because it is there” said Florian, our wine merchant extraordinaire when he tasted this with us.  How very French and how very true. 

Good with: Lamb, duck, chicken