It’s hard to call any place in Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits “overlooked,” but Morey-Saint-Denis has always been a bit of an underdog. It’s a tiny place — about a mile from end to end, and home to fewer than 700 people — and sits between two larger and more famous neighbors. But it’s an impressive town in its own right, worthy of attention and respect.
And nowhere in our portfolio is this clearer than the wines of Domaine Amiot et Fils. The Amiots have tended vines in Morey-St-Denis since 1702, and just last spring welcomed the 10th generation Léon Amiot back to the domaine. Having split the vines with Jean-Louis’s brother Didier, they’ve created a new domaine with new energy, new techniques, and centuries of history.
We’ve always loved the wines from the Amiot family, but we’re even more excited about where they’re going.
We’re not the only ones. The new domaine’s first vintage is a knockout – we just wish there were more to go around. Burghound awarded Amiot’s top two Morey-St-Denis premier crus his coveted “outstanding” award, and while Ruchots nearly sold out through Futures earlier this year, we’re pleased to have a bit more of their other terrific cuvée, “Les Millandes.”
The Millandes vineyard lies just several yards across the road from the famous Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, and its proximity to greatness is obvious. Normally the Amiots produce just 200 cases per vintage, but with yields down 50% in 2020, the number this year is less than 100. This wine grabbed our attention at the domaine for its delicious mix of concentration, energy, and detail.
Burghound awarded 90-93 points, finding “obvious power” in a “balanced effort [that] possesses very good quality in an ageworthy package.” We find dark, woodsy notes of briary blackberry and cassis. The mouth is intense and balanced, with fine, sturdy tannins coated in ripe, inky fruit. An exquisite, modern red Burgundy from a rising star.
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Amiot Morey-St-Denis 1er “Millandes” 2020
bottle price: $98