Domaine Gerard Julien & Fils "Origine" Bourgogne Rouge 2020
(Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France) 750mL

About the Winery:
Rising star Etienne Julien is putting the small marble-quarry town of Comblanchien, which lies just south of Nuits-St-Georges, on the map. Since his first vintage in 2012, demand for his wines has increased ten-fold. He is the fifth generation at the helm of this 10 hectare estate and it was his father, Gérard, who spent the 70s and 80s purchasing wonderful old-vine plots in Nuits-St-Georges plus a fine parcel of Échezeaux Grand Cru. Etienne 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.

Gerard’s son, Étienne (the fourth generation family-member to run the estate) has recently taken over at the domaine, but in a very short time it’s clear he is a real talent who is continuing to improve. In the coming years he no doubt will be one of the fresh faces in Burgundy that everyone will be talking about.

Étienne has set about upgrading things from the moment he took the reins, beginning with the vineyards. A more organic approach was adopted and now they follow a strict “lutte raisonnée” methodology to control disease and pests. Yields are carefully controlled now and there is a sorting both in the vineyard as well as the winery before the grapes are destemmed. After a maceration of a few days with minimal punch downs, the wines are vinified and aged in 228L barrels until spring of the following year before being bottled. For the Côtes-de-Nuits-Villages and Nuits-St-Georges, the wines typically are aged in 30% new barrels, whereas the Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru and the Echezeaux will see 50% new barrels.

About this Wine:

The Bourgogne Rouge 'Origine' has complex aromas including fresh-picked mushrooms and caramel candy. Structured, medium-bodied & quite textural, the palate shows raspberry, cherry and vanilla nuances. Balancing acidity pleasantly develops as its' individual structure comes together, with finely developed tannins. 

Ratings & Reviews

Allen Meadows - Burghound:
"Ripe aromas blend both red and dark currant with those of earth and a hint of game. The delicious middle weight flavors possess both good detail and verve before terminating in a youthfully austere and mildly rustic finish that displays good persistence."