Giannikos Winery - Patrick Javillier

Patrick Javillier's Domaine is located in Meursault, one of the most important appellations in Burgundy. The Javillier family has had their own vineyards here for centuries. Patrick Javillier trained as an oenologist in Dijon and took over the family business from his father in 1974. In Patrick Javillier's cellar in Meursault, one plus one equals three. His old teacher would probably disagree, but this is the philosophy Javillier has used for years when making his wines. By blending wine from different climates with complementary properties, he creates a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. For example, the Meursault Clousots is a marriage between Meursault Les Clous and Meursault Les Crotots. The mix of these two climates is better than the individual wines. Patrick Javillier has been making wine since 1974. He obtained his Diplôme National d'Œnology in Dijon in 1973. He then continued his military service for a year. The day after he finished his military service, he was back in Meursault alone to vinify the 1974. His father had retired and left the three hectares of vines to his son.

Since then, Domaine Patrick Javillier has grown to ten hectares. The Meursault Clousots is the latest addition to its wine portfolio, with 2006 being the first vintage for this cuvée. Another of his cuvées, the Meursault Tête de Murger, has commanded a high price for years. As with the Clousots, the Tête de Murger is a Meursault appellation coummunale, originating from two different climates - in this case Les Casse-Têtes west of the village and Au Murger de Monthélie north of the village bordering Monthélie. If you can find two climates of the Meursault village appellation that complement each other, you can get premium cru quality, explains Patrick Javillier. But again, if you are not careful in choosing the climates, you could end up with a wine that is not as good as either one. Patrick Javillier produces a small amount of grand cru wine - Corton-Charlemagne - and an even smaller amount of premier cru. His Meursault Charmes produces only 400 bottles per year. Javillier makes wines that can be kept for a long time. They belong to the top of the Côte d'Or.