Region: Monthélie, Burgundy, France

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Producer: Domaine Doreau is a family-run estate in Monthélie with roots stretching back through the 19th century. Today it is carried forward by Jérôme and Emilie Doreau, who in 2019 earned High Environmental Value Level 3 certification, confirming their long-standing focus on sustainability and environmental care. Their Vieilles Vignes cuvée is emblematic of their philosophy: low yield, meticulous vineyard work, and wines that favor elegance, transparency, and the terroir of Côte de Beaune rather than flashy extraction.

Vineyard & Winemaking: The 2019 Vieilles Vignes comes from older Pinot Noir vines in Monthélie, farmed organically and with sustainable practices. Yields are limited through pruning (Guyot, sometimes Royat cordon), strict disbudding, and harvesting by hand. In the cellar, the red fruit is destemmed and fermented naturally—no added yeasts—with careful temperature control, regular punch-downs, and gentle pumping over. Aging lasts 12 to 15 months in French oak, about 10% new, just enough to frame the fruit and add complexity without masking the village character.

Tasting Notes: Now five years from vintage, the 2019 shows a lovely maturity, where crimson and ruby tones deepen into garnet around the rim. Aromas of dried red cherry, wild raspberry, rose petal, and forest floor emerge, touched by tobacco leaf and crushed stone. On the palate there's still a fresh core of red fruit, but it’s joined by savory and earthy tones—mushroom, leather, and subtle iron minerality—supported by softened tannins and bright acidity. The finish is elegant, long-lasting, and beautifully balanced: great now with poultry, game, or richer vegetable dishes, yet filled with potential for several more years if stored well.