Julien Guillot explains. Yes, the marc de Bourgogne is fantastic!

The Clos des Vignes du Maynes, 2019-2020, Part 2!

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Our second  small shipment of the year from Julien Guillot at the Clos des Vignes du Maynes is arriving next week, featuring the outstanding 2020 "Cuvée Auguste" and "Manganite."

The 2020 "Cuvée Auguste" is a superb Burgundy made from massale selection Pinot Fin planted in 1964. The parcel, high on the slope in Cruzille, is on Bathonian limestone with a great deal of calcium carbonate crystal (aragonite) with thin topsoils of clay and silica, giving yields of 20hl/ha. The 2020 "Manganite" is made from Gamay Petit Grains planted in 1953, grown on a limestone parcel high in magnesium. Both reds are made in a combination of carbonic and normal fermentation, using layers of grapes in whole-clusters and de-stemmed grapes, with zero additives.

Wines from outside the Clos in Cruzille are from small organic or Biodynamic parcels in the Mâcon and Beaujolais, vinified with the same techniques. Of particular note in today's email is the lovely 2019 Mâcon-Villages which is a superb white Burgundy for current enjoyment or cellaring for ten to fifteen years. And the 2019 Bourgogne Rouge "Les Crays' is a simply delicious Pinot Noir with zero added SO2, a real treat for lovers of natural wines!

Julien pours in the barrel cellar

A bit of History from Julien: "The Clos des Vignes du Maynes was first recorded on cadastral maps by Burgundian monks. Its origin dates back to 910, the year Cluny Abbey was founded by the Duke of Aquitaine. The domaine was originally owned by the seigneurs of the Château of Cruzille, and then belonged to a farming family for five generations before being bought by Pierre and Jeanne Guillot in 1952. The vineyard has therefore never had any chemicals used on it and has always been farmed with the greatest respect for the earth. From the very outset, my grandfather decided to make wine organically, using no chemicals, herbicides, pesticides or sulphur. My father, Alain, later took over the domaine, keeping the same philosophy. 

A bit of Philosophy: "My aim is to make wines that are to be shared, for people who enjoy drinking wine, who are looking for a generous and pleasant wine. The achieve this, we try to produce stable wines in the most natural way possible. We take risks in our vinification methods, but it is very important for us that the wines be easily approachable... I think that the feeling you get in your mouth is very important: the texture of the wine, its silkiness or velvety touch. I like the salinity on the palate that brings a sharp minerality, a perfect match with fine cuisine. I am looking for finishes that reflect the wine’s terroir as authentically as possible. It is essential for the geology to come out in each wine, be it granite, limestone or white clay. The grape variety is actually less important because it simply acts as a vector for the terroir."

Click here for a great article on the Clos in wineterroirs.com from 2019.

All wines discount 10% on a case or mixed case and will be ready for shipping on 11/28.

Vignes du Maynes 2019 Morgon Les Charmes

Starting with beautiful biodynamic grapes from Roland Pignard on "les Charmes" in Morgon, Julien worked his magic in the cellar with his zero-sulfur semi-carbonic vinification and the result is this superb Morgon from great terroir. The wine shows the ripeness of this excellent vintage in Beaujolais and the intense flavors of terroir always present in the Pignard wines over the years. Julien's vinification has created a beautifully balanced and pretty wine with fabulous length - drink now or cellar 5 to 10 years.

  • red
  • 4 in stock
  • $31.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur
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Vignes du Maynes 2020 Bourgogne Cuvée Auguste

The Vignes du Maynes "Cuvée Auguste" is a superb Burgundy made from massale selection Pinot Fin planted in 1964. The parcel, high on the slope in Cruzille, is on Bathonian limestone with a great deal of calcium carbonate crystal (aragonite) with thin topsoils of clay and silica. Yields of 20 hl/ha, semi-carbonic fermentation, with zero additives, bottled under nitrogen. 2020 is a superb vintage for the Cuvée Auguste! The wine shows elegant aromas of black raspberry and wild strawberry with hints of blood orange, violet and brown spice - really lovely. The palate shows a beautiful melange of blackberry, strawberry and tart cherry with citrus, earth and minerals, very sappy and dense. Elegant finish of earth, stone and red fruits. This is a gorgeous wine, and quite delicious now, but cellaring of ten to twenty years should be possible.

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $54.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur

Vignes du Maynes 2020 Mâcon-Cruzille Manganite

 Made from Gamay Petit Grains planted in 1953, grown on a limestone parcel high in magnesium, in the Clos des Vignes du Maynes in Cruzille, organic since 900 AD, now certified biodynamic. The energetic Julien Guillot vinifies his reds without sulfur or additives of any kind, producing complex, mineral, elegant wines that transcend their appellation.  The 2020s here are extraordinary, showing the elegance, purity and balance typical of the estate with the ripeness of the vintage. The wine shows gorgeous red and black fruit aromas with cranberry, earth, stone and musk and hints of mint, chocolate and spice. The palate is bright and intense with blackberry, citrus, stone and earthy flavors, that continue on the very long mineral finish. Always one of the greatest Gamays produced anywhere, the 2020 Manganite is a young wine that will benefit from decanting or five to fifteen years in the cellar. Highly recommended!

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $49.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur

Vignes du Maynes (Julien Guillot) 2019 Bourgogne Les Crays

(Ready to ship on 11/28)  Julien Guillot's 2019 "les Crays" is 100% Pinot Noir from 40 year-old vines in this very chalky vineyard in the Macon, vinified with zero added sulfur. It has a dark red core with clear violet edges. It's bright and grassy, with aromas of rhubarb, herbs, mint, plus clean black cherry and raspberry fruit. Smells of flowers and spice develop after an hour open. The palate is high-toned, with crisp cranberry, bright minerals and a dash of bitterness. On the finish, a lovely touch of ginger lingers. With time, the wine becomes plummier, but never loses its healthy edge. Great acidity and light tannin. Drink now over an evening, but don't hesitate to cellar. David Hatzopoulos

  • Out of Stock
  • red
  • 0 in stock
  • $31.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • No Sulfur

Guillot, Julien (Vignes du Maynes) 2019 Macon-Villages

(Ready to ship on 11/28)  Julien Guillot of the Clos des Vignes du Maynes makes this lovely Mâcon-Villages (100% Chardonnay)  from certified organic parcels in Viré-Clessé, Chardonnay and Montbellet, on Bathonian limestone with clay, rich in silica. Minimal SO2 is added before bottling. The nose opens with bright lemon and cool mineral notes. An hour later after opening up in the glass,  nutty, toasty notes and green melon come to the fore. On the palate, the initial notes were of high acid, spritzy citrus and a pronounced leesiness. After an hour in the glass, the palate skewed richer with more of the toasty, nutty notes found on the nose balancing out the high acid citrus notes. The finish is long and concentrated  from the 20 months on the lees. Please decant or open in advance, the wine will reward you for your patience!  Giselle Hamburg

  • Out of Stock
  • white
  • 0 in stock
  • $28.99

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
  • Low Sulfur