Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Grèves', Domaine de Montille, 2020
Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Grèves', Domaine de Montille, 2020
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
- Organic
- Biodynamic
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2040
Tasting at de Montille is always an education as the opportunity to sample across the Cote d’Or, the domaine’s consistently top class reds and whites, gives an unrivalled perspective on the quality and style of the vintage, accompanied by Brian Sieve’s typically measured appraisal.
For those who appreciate the freshness and energy of a young Burgundy this can be enjoyed early. With some years in the cellar, the flavours will become more integrated, with additional complexity from developing earthy, spicy, and floral notes - and with time, deeper tertiary characteristics such as forest floor, truffle, and dried herbs.
What the critics say:
"Elegant blueberry aroma, to a pure, streamlined, intense, and delicate palate. Silky and urbane, with bright tension to finish. Spot-on."
"Reduction and black cherry combine into a rather smoky nose. The palate, however, brims with wonderfully vivid, translucent yet dark fruit to reveal a gracious web of rather fine tannins. There even is raspberry on the finish. Wonderful, elegant and poised."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceClear ruby with purple highlights, showing youthful vibrancy.
NoseBlueberry and black cherry emerge first, followed by a smoky, almost reductive edge that adds intrigue. As it opens, violets and a touch of forest floor appear, suggesting the complexity to come.
PalatePure and streamlined, with translucent dark fruit that feels both intense and delicate. Fine tannins weave through the wine like silk thread, providing structure without weight. The balance between fruit and minerality is exemplary.
FinishBright tension carries raspberry notes and a saline edge that lingers gracefully.
Overall impressionThis is Burgundian elegance captured in a bottle, with both immediate charm and serious ageing potential.
Food Pairings
In Beaune's restaurants, this style pairs beautifully with coq au vin made with local wine, or the classic beef bourguignon that simmers slowly with pearl onions and lardons. The locals also love it with their famous escargots de Bourgogne, swimming in garlic and parsley butter, or a simple roast chicken from the Bresse region. Game birds like pigeon or duck breast work wonderfully, as does a selection of local cheeses including Époisses and aged Chaource.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to show the wine's elegant structure without masking its aromatics. A brief decant of 30-45 minutes will help integrate any youthful reduction, though it's not strictly necessary. Use Burgundy bowls if you have them, or generous red wine glasses that allow the delicate aromatics to concentrate and develop.
Les Grèves sits on the mid-slope of Beaune's famous hill, with deep alluvial soils of gravel and clay that give the vineyard its name. The well-draining stones warm quickly, whilst the clay beneath retains moisture through dry spells. This combination creates wines with both power and elegance, showing more structure than neighbouring climats whilst maintaining Beaune's characteristic approachability.
Beaune Premier Cru represents some of Burgundy's most reliable and food-friendly reds, sitting between the power of Gevrey-Chambertin and the finesse of Volnay. The appellation covers 42 premier cru climats on slopes that catch both morning and afternoon sun. These wines offer genuine Burgundian character without the intimidation factor of the Côte d'Or's more famous villages, making them beloved by both restaurateurs and collectors who understand value.
We'll be honest: 2020 in Burgundy was a vintage that kept everyone on their toes. A warm, dry spring brought early budbreak, then summer turned properly scorching with temperatures hitting 40°C in August. The saving grace came from perfectly timed August rains that rescued the vines from serious drought stress, followed by ideal September weather that allowed for unhurried picking. Yields were mercifully normal after several years of frost-ravaged harvests, and crucially, the heat never tipped into the jammy territory that can plague warmer vintages here.
What emerged were wines with surprising freshness despite the heat, showing ripe fruit balanced by good acidity and lovely mineral precision. The reds have more immediate charm than the structured 2019s, with silky tannins and generous Pinot Noir character, whilst the whites display beautiful richness without losing that crystalline Burgundian tension we adore. This isn't a legendary vintage like 2005 or 2010, but it's thoroughly delicious and more approachable in youth than many Burgundy vintages. The village wines are drinking beautifully now, Premier Crus are just hitting their stride, and the Grands Crus will reward patience for another five to ten years.
FAQs
What does this Beaune Premier Cru taste like?
Pure and elegant, with blueberry and black cherry fruit, silky tannins, and a bright mineral finish that shows both power and finesse.
When should I drink this wine?
Gorgeous now for those who love young Burgundy's energy, but will reward patience for 15-20 years as it develops earthy complexity and deeper flavours.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Perfect with roast chicken, beef bourguignon, or duck breast. The wine's elegance also makes it excellent with game birds and soft, creamy cheeses from Burgundy.
Should I decant this wine?
A brief 30-45 minute decant will help if there's any youthful reduction, but it's delicious straight from the bottle at 16-17°C in good Burgundy glasses.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely. Domaine de Montille makes wines built for ageing, and this will develop beautiful earthy, truffle, and spice notes over the next decade whilst retaining its core elegance.
How does Les Grèves compare to other Beaune Premier Crus?
Les Grèves tends to show more structure and mineral backbone than some neighbouring climats, thanks to its gravelly soils, whilst maintaining Beaune's characteristic approachability and food-friendliness.
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