Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Grèves', Domaine de Montille, 2021
Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Grèves', Domaine de Montille, 2021
- 75cl
- 12.5%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
- Organic
- Biodynamic
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Optimal drinking window: 2027 - 2037
About Beaune Premier Cru 'Les Grèves', Domaine de Montille, 2021
Domaine de Montille is one of Burgundy's most quietly authoritative estates, and Les Grèves is one of the reasons why. This is a serious Beaune Premier Cru — not the showy, plump kind that flatters on first pour, but the kind that earns its keep. One third whole-cluster fermentation gives it a spine and a faint woodland savouriness that lifts the dark fruit without dominating it. There's a rugged quality here, something a little brooding, with tannins that currently lead the charge. The fruit keeps pace, just, and the finish suggests this wine has more to say than it's letting on right now.
This is Pinot Noir at its most determined rather than its most generous, from a vintage that rewarded patience in the vineyard and will reward it in the cellar too.
Currently showing its primary fruit character with assertive tannins that need time to integrate fully. From 2027, the dark fruit will begin to develop secondary complexity with earth and spice notes becoming more pronounced. The wine should reach its peak drinking window around 2029-2030, when fruit and structure achieve perfect harmony.
What the critics say:
"One third whole cluster. Decent solid fruit on the nose here, rugged perhaps. Dark fruit with a redder final touch, a mite of spice, good tannins, slightly taking the fore over acidity, the fruit stays equal to it and continues on well behind. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted: October 2022."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with hints of garnet at the rim, showing good concentration.
NoseDark cherry and blackberry fruit with earthy undertones and a hint of whole cluster spice. There's a mineral backbone here that speaks to the gravelly terroir, with subtle oak integration adding complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
PalateThe attack shows serious concentration, with dark fruit flavours balanced by bright acidity and well-structured tannins. The whole cluster component adds textural complexity and a gentle spice that carries through the mid-palate, whilst red berry notes emerge towards the finish.
FinishLong and persistent with mineral tension and lingering spice notes that echo the terroir.
Overall impressionA serious Beaune Premier Cru that balances power with elegance, showing the precision that defines de Montille's style.
Food Pairings
In Burgundy, this style of Beaune Premier Cru would traditionally accompany coq au vin made with local Pinot Noir, or perhaps côte de boeuf aux échalotes grises, the prized grey shallots from nearby Brittany. Duck breast with a cherry gastrique would be another classic pairing, as would the region's famous bresse chicken roasted with herbs. Local cheeses like Epoisses or aged Cîteaux would provide a perfect end to the meal, the wine's structure standing up beautifully to these robust, creamy textures.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to allow the wine's complexity to fully express itself. Decant for 45 minutes to an hour if drinking soon after 2027, or simply uncork and pour if cellaring until 2030 or beyond. Use large Burgundy bowls to concentrate the aromatics whilst allowing the wine to breathe. If you're opening a bottle now, give it plenty of air and be patient - this wine rewards contemplation.
Les Grèves sits on Beaune's mid-slope, where the vineyard's name derives from the gravelly soils that provide excellent drainage and heat retention. The combination of limestone subsoil and surface gravel creates wines with both power and finesse, offering more structure than many Beaune Premier Crus while maintaining the appellation's characteristic elegance. The easterly exposure ensures good morning sun whilst protecting the grapes from excessive afternoon heat, allowing for slow, even ripening that builds complexity whilst preserving freshness.
Beaune Premier Cru represents the heart of Burgundy's Côte de Beaune, with Les Grèves considered among the finest of the commune's 34 Premier Cru vineyards. Beaune Premier Crus typically offer more immediate charm than their Côte de Nuits counterparts, but the best sites like Les Grèves can age gracefully for decades. The appellation rules require hand-harvesting and restrict yields, ensuring concentrated fruit that can properly express the unique characteristics of each climat within this historic wine-growing region.
The 2021 growing season in Burgundy started badly and got worse before pulling off one of wine's great escapes. Spring frost in April devastated vineyards across the Côte d'Or, followed by a summer that alternated between biblical downpours and scorching heat. Many producers lost 50% or more of their crop to the frost alone, then watched hail batter what remained in some unlucky villages. By August, with rot creeping through rain-soaked vineyards, even the most optimistic vignerons were writing off the vintage.
What emerged from this chaos surprised everyone: wines with remarkable freshness and purity, if you can find them. The tiny yields meant those grapes that survived were intensely concentrated, while the September sunshine saved the day with perfect ripening conditions. We find the reds show beautiful fruit clarity without heaviness, drinking with an immediacy that makes them irresistible now but promising a decade or more of evolution. The whites are particularly stunning, with a mineral intensity that cuts through their richness. Yes, there's not much 2021 Burgundy about, and yes, it's expensive, but this is one of those vintages where disaster bred greatness.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Dark cherry and blackberry fruit with earthy minerality, well-structured tannins, and a spiced finish that shows both power and elegance typical of quality Beaune Premier Cru.
When should I drink this wine?
The wine will be at its best from 2027 until 2036, though it can be enjoyed now with proper decanting if you prefer more youthful, structured Burgundy.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Classic Burgundian dishes like coq au vin, roasted duck, or beef with shallots work beautifully, as do aged cheeses like Epoisses or any rich, savoury meat dishes.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve at 16-17°C in large Burgundy glasses, and decant for 45 minutes to an hour if drinking in its early years to allow the wine to open up properly.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely - this is built for ageing and will reward patience, developing greater complexity and integration over the next 5-6 years before reaching its optimal drinking window.
How does this compare to other Burgundies?
This shows the structured side of Beaune Premier Cru with more power than village-level wines but greater accessibility than Grand Cru, offering excellent value for serious Burgundy character.
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