2022 Domaine de Bellene Nuits-St.-Georges Vieilles Vignes 750 ml

Nicolas Potel’s father Gérard Potel was a legend in Burgundy, thanks to his work at Volnay’s Domaine de la Pousse d’Or. When Gérard died in 1997, the family suffered serious setbacks. They were forced to sell their shares in Pousse d’Or, and even had to move out of the family home on the property. 

Yet Nicolas, through sheer tenacity and talent, scrapped his way back. He painstakingly launched and later sold his own négociant business. Then, in 2005, he founded Domaine de Bellene, naming it for a Celtic sun god for whom Beaune was named.

Potel made wines labeled “Roche de Bellene” with purchased fruit, but reserved the Domaine de Bellene label for wines grown on all-estate vines. These wines appear on the list at Michelin-starred hotspots like Saison, The Village Pub, and Thomas Keller’s Bouchon. 

This 2022 Nuits-St.-Georges Vieilles Vignes hails from biodynamically farmed 67-year-old vines on the prestigious north side of the AOC, close to the Grand Cru–heavy village of Vosne-Romanée, in the lieux dits of La Charmotte, Au Chouillet, Aux Saints Juliens, and Les Argillats. 

Potel’s peers rightly charge over $100 for similar bottlings. But we were fortunate to get a special deal on this old-vine beauty—only 50 cases of which made it stateside. These days, it’s normal for estate-grown village Burgundies of this quality to cost triple digits, especially when they come from a standout vintage like ‘22. 

How good was the season? “I cannot remember a Burgundy vintage that elicited so much joy from barrel,” wrote Neal Martin of Vinous. “A majority [of winemakers] believe that the 2022 vintage is one of the best in recent years. After tasting over 2,000 wines myself, I would not disagree. It’s not hyperbole.”

Potel’s peers rightly charge over $100 for similar bottlings. But we were fortunate to get a special deal on this old-vine beauty—only 50 cases of which made it stateside. It’s a fine tribute to Nicolas Potel, and we’re happy to share it with you at the best price in the nation. 

Packed with red rose and red berry flavors, this 2022 old-vine Nuits blew us away with its purity and concentration. It will make for phenomenal drinking over the next six years and beyond. Cheers to Nicolas Potel, and to you.