2022 Domaine Joseph Voillot Pommard 1er Cru "Les Rugiens", Burgundy, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

“Les Rugiens” is widely considered the crown jewel of Pommard and a Premier Cru site often discussed in Grand Cru terms. Domaine Joseph Voillot’s parcel lies in Les Rugiens-Bas, the lower and more prestigious section of the vineyard, where iron-rich clay and limestone soils produce wines of depth, structure, and striking minerality. The 2022 vintage yielded exceptional fruit—concentrated yet balanced, with firm but ripe tannins.

Joseph Voillot’s winemaking is deeply traditional, with minimal intervention. The fruit is hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts, and gently extracted to preserve freshness and transparency. Aging takes place in mostly neutral French oak (only 15–20% new), allowing the distinct site expression to shine. The wine is neither fined nor filtered.

This is a serious, age-worthy Burgundy, ideal with dishes like roasted game, braised short ribs, or duck with cherry or plum sauces. While it can be approached with a long decant in youth, it will reveal its full depth and elegance over 15–20 years.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Domaine Joseph Voillot, based in the heart of Volnay, is a small, family-run estate that exemplifies traditional Burgundy at its finest. Now in the hands of Étienne Chaix, the domaine has long been admired for its restrained, terroir-focused style and thoughtful farming. Working with old vines across Volnay, Pommard, and other neighboring appellations, the estate emphasizes balance, clarity, and site transparency over showy winemaking.

Voillot’s hallmark is subtlety: fermentation with indigenous yeasts, gentle maceration, and careful élevage in modest oak to preserve the nuances of each terroir. In “Les Rugiens,” these principles yield a wine that captures both the muscular frame of Pommard and the fine detail of a great Premier Cru. It stands as one of the domaine’s most profound and age-worthy bottlings.