La Sœur Cadette - Bourgogne Rouge 2024

Jean and Catherine Montanet planted their first vineyards in 1987 in the village of Saint-Père in Vézelay. Although located in Burgundy, estate bottling is relatively new. The Montanets initially sold their grapes to their own cooperative but decided to split off and produce wine under their own label, the Domaine de la Cadette.

The family had begun to farm organically in 1999. In 2010, their son Valentin joined them and now manages the domaine, with a focus on sustainability and natural vinification.

The wines from the Domaine de la Cadette introduced a level of quality in Vézelay that some see as one of the reasons that this region of Burgundy received its AOC status in 1997.

In a full-circle turn, Valentin started La Sœur Cadette as a négociant business, creating the La Sœur Cadette range. All the wines are native ferment, with full malolactic fermentation, no chaptalization, fermentation in stainless, light filtration at bottling, and minimal sulphur throughout. In the winery, he works with the lunar calendar.

Alongside the classic Burgundy varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, La Sœur Cadette also work with the ancient red variety César–named after the Emperor and brought to France during the Roman invasion - and a Burgundian mutation of Melon de Bourgogne. It is a fascinating project, making delicious, imaginative wines in the classic region.