Domaine A. & P. de Villaine Rully Les Saint-Jacques, Cote Chalonnaise, France 2024

From Aubert de Villaine, longtime co-director of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, comes this beautifully refined Chardonnay from one of Rully’s most appealing sites. The Les Saint-Jacques vineyard sits on an east-facing slope just below the renowned Premier Cru Clos Saint-Jacques. The 2024 is all about precision, freshness and understated elegance, with a fresh, expressive nose and flavors of lemon, white peach, pear and delicate white flowers. The palate is crystalline and energetic, balancing natural richness with bright acidity and a lovely mineral finish. Fermented and aged on its lees primarily in large oak foudres, with a portion in older barrels, the wine retains its purity without overt oak influence. A terrific Burgundy from a celebrated producer, offering the finesse and character of the Côte Chalonnaise at an exceptional level.