H. de MONTILLE -- 2012 Côte de Beaune reds tasted prior to bottling in November 2013. (Volnay)

My condolences first to Etienne, Alix, and Isabelle de Montille who lost their father Hubert, last November 1. He was a singular figure in Burgundy who made no compromises in following his own route to excellence in his wines.

But also my congratulations to Etienne and Alix (Isabelle is not involved in wine) and their team for these extremely successful wines made under the demanding conditions of 2012. Etienne had been managing the Château de Puligny-Montrachet, and then farming it, for some years, but he and his sister Alix have now acquired it; there is some changing around of vineyard holdings and it is possible that some de Montille wines may appear under the Château de Puligny-Montrachet label; and some wines that formerly were under the Château de Puligny-Montrachet label will now be bottled under the de Montille label.

Malolactic fermentations were very late here, and but for one wine, all finished in August and September 2013. Yields on the Côte de Beaune, including whites, were down 45-70%; overall production was about half of the ten-year average. (Continue reading here.)