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Since Etienne de Montille took over as director in 2001-his previous job was that of a Paris banker- this sleeping giant has been re-awoken. Previously this fine estate (now owned by a savings bank) over-cropped and over-oaked to produce ‘in your face’ wines with little or no terroir definition. Etienne has changed all that. He has carried out extensive work in the vineyards - including converting to organic, and gradually to biodynamic viticulture - to lower yields and improve fruit quality, and has made several changes in the cellar to get the most from his high quality juice. Less batonnage (stirring of the lees), less new oak, better quality oak and finer barrel toast have all helped to add greater finesse to the wines. The results of his endeavours are impressive and the wines are already pushing for recognition amongst the top names of the village. The wonderful 2006s have been eclipsed by a simply brilliant range in 2007.

Etienne started the move towards Biodynamic viticulture-(Search under “Wine Types” header on home page-select “Red Biodynamique”-for explanation) in 2001 as soon as he took over.  This is now, in conjunction with the revised yields in the vineyards, producing superb quality natural fruit driven wines. He has also reduced the obvious oak content to produce more balanced subtle wines with depth and structure. As he was somewhat saddled with the 2001 crop the 02 harvest showed tremendous steps forward-aside of the fact that 2002 was a great vintage in itself- which have continued every year thereafter.  

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