Domaine Coche Dury

Domaine Coche Dury is one of those few great names that can be counted on the fingers of one hand, the ones that have made Burgundy so prestigious for years. Acclaimed by all the critics, Robert Parker even describes Jean-François Coche-Dury as "one of the greatest winemakers on earth".

An estate that has become unmissable in just a few generations

Based in Meursault, Côte-d'Or, the domaine was founded in 1920 by Léon Coche. At first, the founder worked almost exclusively with major négociants (as did most Burgundy estates at the time). Gradually, the latter were encouraged to emancipate themselves and sign their wines with their own name. Domaine Coche was no exception, releasing its first vintage a few years later.

His son, then grandson, took over the winemaking. Jean-François Coche was surely the greatest craftsman in the family saga, from 1964 to 2010. Following his marriage to Anne Dury, the estate changed its name to Coche-Dury. You may have heard of that 1998 twist of fate, when the estate made the headlines after a helicopter crashed into its Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne vines. Despite this, the estate has lost none of its superb character. Following his father's retirement in 2010, Raphaël Coche-Dury took over the reins of the family estate.

An ancestral know-how

The 9 hectares of vines are planted with the traditional Burgundian grape varieties Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aligoté. The domaine is best known for its Premiers Crus in Meursault (Perrières, Caillerets and Genevrières) and its Grand Cru Corton Charlemagne. But it also produces communal and regional appellations that sell for top dollar.

At Coche-Dury, terroir is magnified through meticulous and delicate ancestral know-how. Contrary to contemporary trends for Burgundy wines that can be drunk quickly, here we don't hesitate to take our time. Everything is done by hand, from harvesting the grapes to unfiltered bottling.

A unique and inimitable wine style

What's astonishing about the domaine is the great consistency of style from vintage to vintage, despite the different generations of winemakers who have succeeded one another. The domaine's wines are fine, elegant and of rare balance. According to Jean-François Coche, this is due to the careful attention paid to the grapes in the vineyard and then in the cellar, so as never to mistreat them.

White wines made from Chardonnay, in particular, are acclaimed the world over. They release notes of toasted almonds, hazelnuts and sometimes cinnamon or honey with age. Although production is highly confidential (and half reserved for export), don't miss the opportunity to taste them if it arises. Or, better still, respect the domaine's philosophy by letting your bottle age for a few years in the cellar, to let time do its work...