Domaine Vincent Dureuil-Janthial, a renowned producer of both red and white wines in Rully, a northern commune of the Cote Chalonnaise sub-region of Burgundy in eastern France, is now labeling its bottles as “Céline et Vincent Dureuil” for its young husband and wife team of winemakers. Vincent’s family has grown grapes and produced red and white Burgundies in Rully since the 13th century. Beginning in 2001, Vincent introduced organic viticulture to the operation, refusing to use chemical herbicides or pesticides in the family vineyards. According to Vincent, “We love our land. You will love our wines.” His aim is “to yield wines that are taut, attractive, with a pleasing minerality and the proper touch of acidity.”
We enjoyed a bottle of 2011 Céline et Vincent Dureuil Rully, made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes grown in a 2.42 hectare vineyard of clay and limestone soil on vines averaging 40 years old. The grapes are hand-picked and hand-sorted to assure quality and then undergo 8 days of cold maceration before fermentation and maturation in oak barrels, with one-third new wood. The 2011 vintage we tasted was a medium plus ruby red in color, with aromas of fresh red fruits, including cherry, raspberry and strawberry. On the palate, the wine was fresh and fruity, with intense flavors of red and black fruits, pepper, cinnamon and notes of chocolate and oak. It had a pleasing balance of fruit, acidity and silky tannins, leading to a long delightful finish.
