2017 Louis Jadot Rully

Maison Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy’s most respected negociants. Founded in 1859 by the Jadot family, the prestige and quality of the estate’s wines were well established in the 19th century. The family continued buying highly desirable vineyards in the 20th century. In 1985 the estate was sold to Rudy Kopf, Jadot’s American importer. Located in Beaune, the estate has 336 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gamay. Though all the maison’s wines are known for their high quality, signature wines are the Bonnes Mares, Chambertin-Close de Beze, Chevalier-Montrachet les Demoiselles, Corton-Charlemagne, Le Montrachet and Musigny. Pierre-Henry Gagey is president.

Rully is an appellation and commune that takes its name from the Roman town called Rubilia Vicus. Of the 882 acres of vineyards in the appellation, almost two-thirds of the vineyards are planted to white wine grapes. Rully produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, but it is also known for its Champagne-style sparkling wines, known as Crémant de Bourgogne. Rully produced the first Crémant de Bourgogne in the late 19th century, well before any other region in Burgundy started making Champagne-style sparklers. Today the appellation produces nearly five million bottles of sparkling wine a year compared to two million bottles of still white wine. There are 23 Premier Cru vineyards in the Rully appellation, and no Grand Crus. Clive Coates has written that Rully’s white wines are “lemony-crisp and floral, ripe but lean rather than four-square.”

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.