FRANÇOIS MILLET ET FILS
Chambolle, France
As the cellar master and winemaker at Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé from 1986 until 2019, François Millet played no small part in elevating the Chambolle-Musigny estate to its roost as one of if not the greatest in the appellation. Now, with his sons Julien and Adrien, M. Millet has started his own enterprise, producing miniscule quantities of a smattering of appellations ranging from as far south as Volnay to the northern reaches of Marsannay. The project is a welcome reminder that it is the vines and the winemaker, not the grand chateau, that make the wines; Millet's new project is definitely garagiste, set in his own home, strictly temperature controlled with a cellar beneath the floor.
Additionally, François' wife, Michelle, brings fruit from her family estate in Côtes de Jura to the east into the fold. The family produces microscopic quantities of both blanc and rouge from these vines.
The fruit at François Millet et Fils is sourced from trusted relationships established over his 50 years of experience in Burgundy. Everything is destemmed, and there is no new oak used whatsoever. Only 3-4 barrels are produced of any given wine. As opposed to the authoritative, robust bottlings François vinified for so many years at de Vogüé, the emphasis here is on elegance, minerality, and aromatics. They highlight the impact of expertise gathered at the very zenith of winemaking: expressive, entrancing, and age-worthy.
Wines
François Millet Côtes de Jura Blanc
François Millet Marsannay Blanc 'La Croix de Bois'
François Millet Bourgogne Rouge Les Rues
François Millet Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits 'Petite Vigne' Rouge
François Millet Fixin l'Olivier
François Millet Marsannay Le Potet
François Millet Gevrey-Chambertin La Croix des Champs
François Millet Gevrey-Chambertin Le Fourneau
François Millet Volnay Les Grand Poisots
François Millet Volnay 1er Cru Les Angles
François Millet Chambolle-Musigny Les Fouchères