Domaine Des Monts Luisants Clos De La Roche Grand Cru 2022

Domaine des Monts Luisants is a 3.4-hectare family estate located in the heart of Morey-Saint-Denis, in the Côte de Nuits, between the celebrated villages of Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny. The estate was founded by Bernard Dufouleur in the mid-1970s. His son Jean-Marc took over in 1999, recovering the vineyards his father had previously rented out, and produced his first estate-made vintage in 2000.

The domaine produces exclusively red wines across four appellations: Morey-Saint-Denis En Pierre Virant, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Monts Luisants, Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Genavrières, and Grand Cru Clos de la Roche — all on an east-facing hillside with full sun exposure.

The estate’s philosophy is to intervene as little as possible, both in the vineyard to obtain healthy grapes and in the cellar, where the use of chemical substances is forbidden. Jean-Marc Dufouleur applies strict and careful vineyard management with no herbicides, harvests exclusively by hand, and ferments everything as whole bunches — which he personally treads by foot. Fermentation is entirely spontaneous in open-top vats, followed by pressing in a basket press and ageing in a mix of new and one-to-five-year-old barrique, with new oak capped at a maximum of 15%. Total production across all appellations is around 15,000 bottles — making this an exceptionally rare estate.

Terroir The vines are planted on an east-exposed hillside composed mainly of clay and limestone, at the very heart of the Côte de Nuits, home to the most iconic Burgundy red wines. The Clos de la Roche climat is renowned for its shallow, stony topsoil above compact limestone bedrock — a combination that produces wines of pronounced minerality and remarkable ageing potential.

Vinification 100% whole-bunch fermentation with indigenous yeasts in open-top vats, foot-trodden by Jean-Marc Dufouleur himself. Cold maceration at low temperature, light pressing, and two extractions. Aged in French barriques with a maximum of 15% new oak.

Eye Deep, brilliant ruby with purple reflections — the density and youth of a great 2022 Côte de Nuits.

Nose All the distinction of a Grand Cru is apparent: chiselled and propulsive, with a juicy, sappy character framed by finely structured tannins — both firm and delicate. Expect dark cherry, violet, earthy spice and a signature mineral undercurrent.

Palate An authentic vin de lieu of imposing yet elegant structure. The signature style of the domaine leans toward a buoyant, almost weightless quality — silky rather than velvety tannins, nothing heavy, everything lingering and resonant. The 2022 vintage adds extra richness and concentration while preserving the domaine’s hallmark precision and freshness.

Drink Window: 2027–2042

Serving temperature: 18°C

Food Pairing At its finest alongside game birds, but equally impressive with entrecôte, lacquered duck or poultry for lovers of Asian cuisine. The supple yet powerful tannins also pair beautifully with braised or roasted veal and lamb, and are a classic match for strong, washed-rind soft cheeses.