2021 Jerome Galeyrand Cote de Nuits-Villages Les Retraits 1x bottle 0,75 ltr Stored in temperature controlled wine cellar Domaine Jérôme Galeyrand – history and background Jérôme started the domaine in 2002, coming to Burgundy from the Loire valley. He began his wine education by helping Alain Burguet during harvests in the 1990s. In 2002 he bought his first miniscule vineyard – 0.05 hectare of Les Retraits in Comblanchien – and did his first vinification. Since then, Jérôme has expanded the estate to its current 5.25 ha. His viticulture is largely organic, and on its way to an AB certification; so, no pesticides here, and the vineyards are ploughed. Some wines include whole-clusters, and the vinification is delicate (limited use of SO2), contributing to the refined character of the wines. There is a cold soak for three to five days before the native-yeast fermentation begins. The resulting wines are refined, elegant, and perfumed. They are wines that really make a positive statement, in a delicate and rather discreet way. I like all of Jérôme Galeyrand’s wines, but the fabulous four – Justice, Billard, Croisette and Retraits – are in a class of their own. The 2021s are super ripe, with, for the vintage, a unique depth and harmonious display of pinot fruit. There’s not a hint of over-ripeness, yet the maturity of the grapes is stunning given the difficult conditions in 2021.