Description
Product Description: City-owned land. Underground talent. A Bourgogne that defies its label. Domaine de la Cras ‘Montrecul’ Bourgogne Rouge 2022 is one of the most compelling red Burgundies coming out of Dijon right now. Farmed organically by Marc Soyard—an alum of Domaine Bizot—this single-site Pinot Noir is grown on a steep, limestone-rich slope at 300 metres altitude, just inside the city limits. The vineyard might be municipal, but the wine is anything but bureaucratic. Vinified with 70% whole bunches and native yeasts, and aged in older barrels with minimal SO2, Montrecul 2022 is light-footed but structured. Expect bright red cherry, dried herbs, and a lick of spice over fine, savoury tannins. It’s unfiltered, unfined, and unmistakably personal—this is Pinot with both energy and edge. Perfect with duck breast, grilled mushrooms, or a wedge of washed-rind cheese. Drink now with a light chill, or hold for 3–5 years. Maker Domaine de la Cras sits high on a plateau between Dijon, Plombieres-les-Dijon, and Corcelles-les-Monts — 160 hectares of mixed agricultural land, including eight of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate was purchased by the Greater Dijon region in 2013 to protect the city’s green belt, curb urban sprawl, and support working peri-urban agriculture. Management of the vineyard was entrusted to the Cote-d’Or Chamber of Agriculture, which in turn handed the keys to Marc Soyard — a young, Jura-born winemaker with no family vines but an impeccable pedigree. Soyard’s path ran through Vosne-Romanee, where six years at Domaine Bizot honed his skills as both vineyard manager and cellar hand under Jean-Yves Bizot. At Domaine de la Cras, he lives on site, tending the vines and making wines in his own name under a unique arrangement — paying rent to the city in bottles. Alongside the estate holdings, he also farms two small parcels of Pinot Noir in the Cote d’Or under his personal label. Philosophy From the outset, Soyard has farmed Domaine de la Cras organically, with selective biodynamic practices woven in. His winemaking follows the restrained, natural approach learned at Bizot — native yeast ferments, minimal sulphur, and whole-cluster work tailored to the vintage. Maturation is patient and traditional, often in a mix of new and seasoned barrels, with measured trials in chestnut and acacia alongside French oak. The estate’s official classification is Bourgogne AOC, but it uniquely holds the right to label wines as Coteaux de Dijon — a title Soyard uses with purpose. Lower-lying parcels form the fresher, more approachable Coteaux cuvee, while the steeper, better-exposed slopes yield the more structured Cras bottling after an extended elevage. For Soyard, the philosophy is simple: keep intervention low, connection to place high, and let the plateau’s rare terroir speak clearly in the glass. Tasting Notes NOSE – Lifted and herbal Wild cherry, crushed herbs, and a touch of spice. PALATE – Tense and savoury Bright red fruit, supple tannins, and underlying earthiness. FINISH – Mineral and pure Limestone grip and gentle length with a herbal echo. Finer Details: Style – Red Wine Varietal – Pinot Noir Country – France Region – Burgundy Vintage – 2022 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 12% Closure – Cork
