Domaine de Villaine is located in Bouzeron, nestled in the Cote Chalonnaise region between Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay to the north and Rully and Mercurey to the south. Planted with vines by the monks of Cluny in the Middle Ages, this small, sunny valley has a rich and lengthy tradition of producing quality wines that reflect their exceptional terroir. 

This reasonably young vineyard is located just down slope from premier cru Clos St-Jacques in deep, loamy soils. The vineyard is recovering, since acquisition, from conventional agriculture and the domaine strictly limits the yield to give a wine of rich apple fruit character. The richest white Burgundy in the de Villaine stable, this Rully is an exercise in balance. 

Hazelnut and quince paste greet the nose, followed by a dense mouthful of ripe, succulent yellow fruits. Despite its voluptuousness, the wine is dry, fresh, very stony, and even salty—mouth-wateringly delicious. The fact that it isn’t premier cru, well, that’s proof of a talented grower, because it sure does taste like it.