This two-pack, at this price, is uncharted territory for us, but we’re proud to provide a platform for it: These magnums epitomize the exquisite purity of Domaine de Montille and the two legends that turned this humble Burgundian farm into a worldwide sensation. This special two-pack is an homage to Hubert and Christiane De Montille, the late husband-wife team whose children, Étienne and Alix, now carry on the family legacy.
The first magnum is the very best selection of grapes from their 2.5-acre parcel within Pommard Premier Cru “Les Rugiens-Bas,” a respected vineyard worthy of Grand Cru status. But, more importantly, it was Hubert’s favorite wine to produce and consume—when he passed away in 2014, it was while drinking a glass of his own Pommard Rugiens at lunch. Consequently, this noteworthy magnum marks the first vintage in commerration to him. The second magnum included pays tribute to de Montille matriarch, Christiane, and it hails from the acclaimed Premier Cru “Aux Malconsorts” in Vosne-Romanée. Their barely-one-acre parcel lies in the northern enclave of the vineyard, which seamlessly runs right into Grand Cru La Tâche—you could toss a grape into DRC’s vines. As you can (hopefully) see, this isn’t a flashy money grab fueled by status or label, but rather a pair of prized, rarefied wines that immortalize Burgundy legends. Yes, it’s extremely rare; yes it’s from two prime vineyard sites; and yes, its price tag is significant, but when the time does come to open these powerful keepsakes in 5, 10, or 20+ years, you’ll be experiencing the very best in artisanal red Burgundy. And, you’ll be one of only a few hundred people in the world with the ability to do it.
[Note: These two magnums will be shipped in their original wooden box, as pictured]
Domaine de Montille, headquartered in the Côte de Beaune village of Volnay, was long under the command of the late Hubert de Montille, who took over his family’s estate in 1947 at just 17 years old. He was one of the old lions of Burgundy (commemorated in the documentary film “Mondovino”) and an advocate for “local” and “sustainable” long before they were buzzwords. Over the years, Hubert ceded more control to Étienne and Alix, and together they grew the de Montille vineyard holdings to about 20 hectares (75% of which are either Premier or Grand Cru) across a broad range of appellations. Those vineyards have been organically farmed since 1995 and were certified biodynamic in 2012.
Étienne and Alix ably stepped into the void when their father passed away in 2014, and have successfully run the family domaine at the highest level, all while creating a négociant business, Deux Montille, which crafts a wide range of well-priced wines from choice terroirs. Over the years, we’ve featured wines from all of the assorted de Montille projects, and it’s clear that Étienne learned well from his exacting father—the de Montille ‘domaine’ wines, starting with Bourgogne Blanc and climbing up the ladder, continue to be models of focused, mineral, age-worthy Burgundy.
Their inaugural offering of this powerful, magnum two-pack hails from a couple of seriously cherished sites. The 1er Cru “Les Rugiens-Bas” in Pommard is one of the greatest Pinot Noir sites in all of Côte de Beaune, known to produce brooding, powerfully intense reds that shine beautifully in their maturity. Located just southwest of Pommard proper, the vineyard lies on a rocky slope and de Montille’s small parcel here is farmed organically and biodynamically. Farther north, in the Côte de Nuits’ commune of Vosne-Romanée, you’ll find 1er Cru “Aux Malconsorts.” The tiny slice of vines owned by the family lies north of a small path that breaks up the vineyard. This coveted piece of land seamlessly blends into Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s Grand Cru monopole “La Tâche,” where a standard 750ml bottle in the same 2015 vintage will set you back at least $6,000.
Both de Montille bottlings are fermented 100% whole cluster in the winery and see a balanced portion of new French oak—approximately 50% for “Les Rugiens-Bas” and just over 60% for “Aux Malconsorts.” Again, only the absolute greatest barrels were selected for this commemorative two-pack and their limited bottling only occurred in magnums.
Both wines display a dazzling dark ruby core moving out to bright pink and magenta hues on the rim. Both explode from the glass with high-toned aromas. Hubert’s “Les Rugiens-Bas” shows towering levels of power and chiseled minerality alongside fleshy dark fruits and vivid baking spice. Its stunning, brawny profile flaunts robust notes of black cherry, currant, black plums, iron, herbs, licorice, anise, and cloves that will continue medling together with time. Given the proper patience in one’s cellar, this has all the makings to become a legendary wine. Christiane’s “Aux Malconsorts” is lusher, rounder, and more forward in its fruit and earth. It’s nearly full-bodied, showing a balancing act of grace and power that is underpinned by dense fruit, medicinal herbs, spice, and a marvelous array of purple and red flowers. These are wines that must be preserved and stored in perfect condition for a commemorative event way down the road—perhaps a retirement or notable anniversary. And there’s no need to rush it along: They have the mineral power and built-to-age structure that will see them through two-to-three decades with ease. If enjoying in the next 5-10 years, just pull the cork (no decanting) 4-5 hours before serving in your largest Burgundy stems and make sure they are paired with an unforgettable dish—roasted duck with plums springs to mind. Above all, always remember that you own not one, but two, pieces of history. Treat these bottles with respect and patience and they will reward you accordingly!
