Domaine Saint-Jacques
Christophe Grandmougin, the owner and winemaker of Domaine Saint-Jacques, is a rising star in Burgundy and nowadays produces one of the best styles of Bourgogne Aligoté, Rully and Rully 1er Cru, white and red wines.
His family estate name is “Domaine Saint-Jacques” due to the design of the wine labels that uses scallops shell (Coquilles Saint Jacques in French). The place was also offering shelter and food to pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Christophe Grandmougin is a real Burgundian, full of energy who is always open-minded in order to improve his viticulture, winemaking techniques as well as the crucial “elevage” in barrels. He has intensified his work in the vineyards in order to get into a more organic approach as well as reducing his yields to obtain more concentrated and healthier Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.
Christophe Grandmougin is still using a good old-fashioned mechanical “Vasselin Pressoir” (press machine), like Coche-Dury does, in order to get a good extraction. In his cellar, he likes to add his personal touch by playing with “batonnage” (lie stirring) to give some richness and bitterness (not too much though). His oak barrels come from one of the most prestigious barrel makers (Tonnelier): Chassin! These barrels are very neutral and bring purity and a true Terroir expression to both 1er Cru Marissou (white) and 1er Cru La Fosse (red).
The last vintages are definitively among the very best examples of the Rully Appellation and they even challenge some Meursault wines (during blind tastings).