Region: Burgundy, France
Appellation: Coteaux Bourguignon
Color/Style: Red Wine
Grapes: Pinot Noir

Fresh, floral, and herb-accented bouquet. Beautiful, pure red fruit tending toward berries over cherries, with really bright acidity and supple tannins. Earthy, juicy, and delicious.

The Domaine Henri, and now Philippe, Jouan is on the cusp of the latter scenario. Henri was a classmate, contemporary, and friend of the great Jacky Truchot, and his winemaking style has always been very similar: 100% de-stemming, meticulous farming, gentle extractions, and an overall obsession with the craft. Philippe took over in 2004 and has changed almost nothing.

This careful attention to detail results in wines that are both powerful and elegant, balanced and (with age) full of layers and depth. So why are they unknown? The simple answer is they've never made enough wine to seek publicity or engage in any marketing. The internet has very little info and there are almost zero reviews or write-ups.

They farm just over 4 hectares, and much of that fruit goes to Drouhin, whom they've been selling to for 50 years. Precious few bottles get the Jouan label.