DOMAINE COTTENCEAU
Buxy, France
The coterie of disciples of the great Vincent Dureuil-Janthial continued to expand with the advent of Maxime Cottenceau's new domain in 2018. Maxime has lived in the Côte Chalonnaise all his life, the Cottenceau name long established as growers in Buxy, just south of Givry. He, however, is the first of his name to bottle eponymously. After three vintages of tutelage under M. Dureuil-Janthial, Maxime was ready to put his inherited 2.8 hectares across various lieu-dits and Premier Cru sites in Montagny, Mercurey, and Givry to the test. Put succinctly, the results are nothing short of stunning.
Maxime is working organically in the vineyards with an eye towards certification in the coming vintages. He's also open to experimentation, following the lunar cycle in his decision making in both the vineyard and cellar and practicing tressage (braiding) to restrain the vines' upward growth rather than trimming. As small as the holdings are, site specificity remains the focus; quantities of each bottling are tiny. Soils are
As with his mentor, time is of the essence in everything, meaning slow, deliberate, and careful harvest and vinification. Grapes are pressed, but very slowly and gently. Depending on the bottling, wines are fermented in stainless steel or oak, and then are held in wood for 18-20 months before being transferred to steel for an additional half a year prior to being bottled. When sulfur is used it is minimal. The proof is in the bottles - Maxime's wines positively hum with energy, are beautifully textural, and show exactly why the Côte Chalonnaise is worthy of its Premier Cru designations as well as consumer attention.
Wines
Domaine Cottenceau Bourgogne Rouge
Domaine Cottenceau Givry Rouge ‘Champ Pourot'
Domaine Cottenceau Mercurey Rouge ‘La Chagnée’
Domaine Cottenceau Bourgogne Blanc
Domaine Cottenceau Givry Blanc ‘Champ Pourot'
Domaine Cottenceau Montagny Blanc ‘Les Dazés’
Domaine Cottenceau Montagny Blanc ‘Les Préaux’
Domaine Cottenceau Montagny Blanc 1er Cru ‘Les Vignes Longues’
Domaine Cottenceau Montagny Blanc 1er Cru ‘Vigne du Soleil’
Domaine Cottenceau Montagny Blanc 1er Cru ‘Les Bassets’
Domaine Cottenceau Montagny Blanc 1er Cru ‘Montcuchot’