Domaine Jean Yves Bizot Vosne-Romanee les Jachees 2017 0,75L

Domaine Jean-Yves Bizot Vosne-Romanée Les Jachées 2017

The Estate

Domaine Jean-Yves Bizot operates as one of Burgundy’s most mysterious and sought-after producers, with Jean-Yves Bizot himself maintaining an almost reclusive presence that only heightens the mystique surrounding his wines. Working from a tiny estate with minuscule production, Bizot has cultivated a reputation among collectors and connoisseurs as a producer of Pinot Noir that achieves transcendent levels of purity and concentration.

Bizot’s winemaking philosophy centers on traditional Burgundian methods pushed to their logical extreme: whole-cluster fermentation, extended maceration, minimal sulfur, and refusing to filter or fine his wines. His viticulture emphasizes old vines, low yields, and biodynamic principles (though he eschews certification). The resulting wines possess a raw, untamed quality—profound expressions of terroir that require patience to reveal their full complexity.

Due to extremely limited production and Bizot’s reluctance to engage with critics and media, his wines remain among Burgundy’s most difficult to acquire, with bottles often appearing only at auction or through specialized merchants. Those fortunate enough to secure them discover Pinot Noir of extraordinary depth and longevity.

Les Jachées: Hidden Treasure Above Vosne-Romanée

Les Jachées occupies a privileged position in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, in the hills directly above the legendary Vosne-Romanée commune. While technically classified outside the Premier Cru system due to its elevation and distance from the Grand Cru slope, this climat produces wines that rival—and occasionally surpass—many officially designated Premier Cru vineyards in quality and aging potential.

The vineyard’s higher altitude (approximately 350-380 meters) and cooler microclimate result in extended hang time, allowing Pinot Noir to develop exceptional aromatic complexity while maintaining vibrant acidity. The soil composition features limestone with significant clay content, providing both structure and concentration. Southeast exposure captures optimal sunlight, while natural wind channels help prevent disease pressure, allowing for organic viticulture.

Jean-Yves Bizot’s old-vine parcels in Les Jachées (planted in the 1960s-70s) benefit from his uncompromising viticultural standards: yields rarely exceed 25-30 hl/ha, hand-harvesting occurs at optimal phenolic maturity, and only pristine fruit enters his cellar. The result is wine that captures the site’s unique character—combining the elegance typical of Vosne-Romanée with additional freshness and tension from the elevated terroir.

The 2017 Vintage

The 2017 vintage in Burgundy stands among the greatest of the 21st century for red wines, delivering a near-perfect combination of concentration, structure, and aromatic complexity. An ideal growing season—warm, dry summer with cool nights—allowed Pinot Noir to achieve exceptional phenolic ripeness while maintaining the fresh acidity essential for balance and longevity.

Critics universally praised 2017 as a ‘generational vintage’ that rivals the legendary 2005 and 2015 harvests. The wines display remarkable depth of color, intense fruit concentration, and velvety tannins, yet retain the elegance and terroir transparency that define great Burgundy. Low yields due to spring frost in some areas further concentrated the remaining fruit.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate awarded this wine 95 points, with William Kelley noting: ‘One of the finest young wines I’ve ever tasted from the elusive Jean-Yves Bizot… a spectacular red Burgundy that soars from the glass with aromas of wild berries, peonies, rose petals, bergamot and warm spices, deftly framed by a discreet patina of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, sumptuous and enveloping, with a deep and layered core, lively acids and melting tannins.’ This extraordinary assessment positions the wine among the vintage’s elite bottles.

Tasting Experience

• The nose delivers an intoxicating complexity that justifies every superlative: wild strawberry and black cherry mingle with crushed rose petals, peony blossoms, and bergamot citrus. Beneath the exuberant fruit lie layers of warm baking spice (cinnamon, clove), subtle oak influence, and earthy undertones of forest floor and mushroom. The aromatic intensity is remarkable yet perfectly integrated.
• On the palate, the wine reveals its true character: medium-to-full-bodied with sumptuous texture that seems to float across the tongue despite considerable concentration. Red and black fruit flavors—raspberry coulis, black cherry, pomegranate—are framed by vibrant acidity that provides lift and energy. The tannins, described by Parker as ‘melting,’ offer structure without astringency.
• The mid-palate depth speaks to both the exceptional vintage and Bizot’s whole-cluster fermentation technique: savory complexity (cured meat, black tea, dried herbs) interweaves with pure fruit, while a distinctive mineral thread runs through the wine like a spine. Despite its youth, the wine shows remarkable harmony—all elements in perfect balance.
• The finish extends for impressive length, leaving lingering impressions of red berries, exotic spice, and stony minerality. The wine’s structure suggests exceptional aging potential (easily 15-20 years), yet it already offers extraordinary pleasure for those unable to resist opening it now.
• This is Pinot Noir crafted by an uncompromising artisan working with exceptional fruit from an underrated terroir in a spectacular vintage—a convergence that produces something truly special. The wine captures everything Burgundy lovers seek: complexity, elegance, intensity, and the ineffable ‘X-factor’ that separates good wine from greatness.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 16-18°C in large Burgundy stems to allow the wine’s complex aromatics to fully express themselves. While young and powerful, the wine benefits from 45-60 minutes of decanting to integrate tannins and awaken its aromatic layers. Pour gently and allow 15-20 minutes in the glass before the first sip—the wine continues evolving over several hours. For optimal experience, open the bottle 1-2 hours before service.

Exceptional pairings:

• Roasted duck breast with cherry reduction and root vegetables
• Wild mushroom preparations: porcini-crusted beef tenderloin, truffle risotto
• Game birds: roasted pheasant, quail, or guinea fowl with autumn garnishes
• Grilled lamb chops with herbes de Provence and ratatouille
• Aged Burgundian cheeses: Époisses, Langres, or mature Comté 24-36 months

Cellaring & Evolution

The 2017 vintage’s exceptional structure and Bizot’s natural winemaking approach ensure remarkable aging potential. This wine will evolve gracefully for 15-20 years under proper storage conditions, developing tertiary complexity (sous-bois, leather, game) while retaining its core of vibrant fruit and fresh acidity.

Currently at 6-7 years of age, the wine remains in its primary/early secondary phase—displaying youthful exuberance while beginning to hint at the complexity to come. Those seeking immediate gratification can open bottles now (with proper decanting), but patient collectors will be rewarded with profound evolution. The wine should reach its peak drinking window around 2025-2035.

Store horizontally in a dark, vibration-free environment at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity. Given the wine’s cult status and limited production, proper provenance is essential. Bizot’s natural winemaking (minimal sulfur, no filtration) means bottles benefit from consistent, cool storage—avoid temperature fluctuations.

Collector’s Note: Domaine Jean-Yves Bizot wines occupy a unique position in the Burgundy collector hierarchy: rarely seen, difficult to acquire, and treasured by those fortunate enough to obtain them. This 2017 Les Jachées, scoring 95 points from Robert Parker in an exceptional vintage, represents one of the finest expressions from this elusive producer. With Bizot’s advancing age and tiny production (often just a few barrels per cuvée), availability will only decrease. For Burgundy enthusiasts seeking wines outside the traditional Grand Cru hierarchy that deliver comparable quality and excitement, this bottle offers both immediate pleasure and long-term investment potential.