Bizot sets strict and uncompromising standards in his cellar and, together with his enviable old–vine parcels, creates a stellar lineup of miniscule production red Burgundies built for the long haul.

Jean-Yves Bizot is a professor of viticulture and oenology in Beaune who lives across the street in Vosne Romanée from Henri Jayer’s old residence. The two vignerons had neighbouring parcels in Vosne and used to discuss vinification while working their vines. Bizot decided to adapt some of Jayer’s techniques in his own cellar (in particular whole cluster fermentation at cool temperatures in conical wooden vats) and is now making top-notch Vosne that still flies mostly under the radar.

Nowadays, Jean-Yves Bizot downplays the influence of Jayer in his winemaking and has forged his own distinct and rigorous philosophy in the vines and the cellar. The wines are considerably dearer in price than DRC and quite rightly so. They are indeed some of the greatest wines of Burgundy, if not the greatest, and a must for all enthusiasts around the world.

Bizot’s wines need time to open and reveal their character. Even his village A.O.C. Vosne-Romanée requires about five years of aging to reveal its full potential. All his Vosne-Romanées require the patient approach to ageing usually required of Premier Cru level wines.

In the last few years, Bizot has made some exciting purchases in the far north of the Côtes-de-Nuits, terroirs that he believes are under-appreciated by the current generation but were very well known and highly regarded centuries ago. Both vineyards are just south of Dijon: Bourgogne “Le Chapitre” and Marsannay “Clos du Roy”. Both are old-vine parcels.

Even more excitingly, he has recently added to his portfolio of vine holdings with the purchase of Clos de la Bidaude – a ‘monopole’ walled vineyard that sits immediately above Grand Cru Clos des Lambrays in Morey-St-Denis. Along with a select group of growers described by Jasper Morris MW as ‘first class’, Bizot is revolutionising the reputation of Morey, one of the few remaining ‘undersung’ villages of Burgundy.

In addition, he now has a long-term partnership to manage a plot of vines grown on one of the best sections of the hill of Corton. He is currently re-working the vineyard to bring it up the exacting standard required by his approach and will commence making wines once he feels it is ready.

His range is completed by his magnificent Bourgogne Blanc, which comes from an old parcel of sélection massale Chardonnay right next to Clos de Vougeot. Bizot’s wines, bottled by hand, barrel by barrel, without filtration, are serious Burgundies for the patient connoisseur, emphasizing purity, subtlety and elegance.

…read more about Domaine Bizot 2022 release

…read more about Domaine Bizot 2023 release.