Winemaker Notes
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Exclusive for its bright and charming whites, Rully is optimally situated in the northern part of the Côte Chalonnaise where light and sandy soils create fresh Chardonnays. Here they have perfumes redolent of acacia or honeysuckle, with bright peach and lemon flavors and a flinty finish. With time, Rully whites evolve to fuller flavors of honey, quince and dried apricot.
Rully is also one of the best sources of premium sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne and while over two-thirds of Rully’s production is white grapes, its reds are also worth seeking out, especially as an introduction to Burgundy Pinot Noir. Rully reds express pleasant aromas of rose, licorice and have ripe, red cherry fruit on the palate. Grésigny, Rabourcé, and Les Cloux are its most popular Premiers Crus.