Rully 2019 from Domaine de la Folie

Domaine de la Folie is another new estate for me, located in the Cote Chalonnaise, the northern part of southern Burgundy.

Based in Chagny, with most of its vineyards in Rully, the estate has 13 hectares of vines, including the Rully 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques – among the most prestigious names in the Rully appellation.

The estate’s wines express the elegance of the appellation, the finesse of our grape varieties (chardonnay and pinot noir), the character of the vintage as well as freshness, a true signature of the Domaine de la Folie.”

A bit of marketing-speak, of course, but the 2019 estate wines really do give a lot of bang for the buck. I had great joy from the samples during my week with them, and the portfolio is well balanced from top to bottom.

For the whites at least, go for the top cuvees. The extra cost is marginal compared to the hedonistic benefit. These are good, solid, and very enjoyable wines.

To the notes!

Domaine de la Folie Clos la Folie 1er Cru 2019

Starting out with the Clos la Folie, this is quite rich and medium dense, with a nice fresh note, as with most 2019s. However, the alcohol is perhaps a bit apparent palate-wise, despite the label saying only 13.5%. It has a strong mineral character, but also a powerful spicy note on the mid-palate. Some would like it; others, perhaps not so much. I prefer the other wines in the portfolio.

(Drink from 2021) – Above Average – Tasted 25/03/2021

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Domaine de la Folie Clos du Chaigne 1er Cru 2019

Moving up to the next level with older vines – 50 years on average. This is a 3.26-ha monopole in Rully that offers a rounded, very agreeable minerality. The most forward of the whites, and least obviously concentrated (a good thing in 2019), this is balanced and well-composed. With fine purity, this does drink very well, and gives good hedonistic value.

(Drink from 2021) – Good+ (87-88p) – Tasted 25/03/2021

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Domaine de la Folie Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru 2019

To the top of the Rully line and the monopole Clos St.-Jacques: Pure and cooler, with a nicely focused palate. Perhaps slightly on the warm side, but with none of the density found in some southern Burgundies. This drinks beautifully, with its fine mineral note, as an appetizer, relying on its refined, spiced palate. Intense and quite a big wine, it has a lovely fresh note.

(Drink from 2024) – Very Good (88-90p) – Tasted 25/03/2021 –

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Domaine de la Folie Clos de Bellecroix 2019

The smaller of the red cuvees, coming from the Clos de Bellecroix vineyard, this is harmonious and rather forward. Not as complex as the Marey cuvee, it is a bit alcoholic when warm, but keep the temperature down a bit and 2019 will deliver joy and pleasure. More forward – a vin de soif – yet also towards the more classic end. This gives a lovely impression, but lacks the focus and complexity of its bigger brother.

(Drink from 2021) – Good (87p) – Tasted 25/03/2021

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Domaine de la Folie Clos de Bellecroix Cuvée Marey 2019

The Marey comes from the same vineyard, but from rows with full easterly exposure. This has a bit of new oak – 20% – to structure things a bit. It is vivid, lively, and with borderline extraction, but it’s balanced thanks to the juicy, vivacious 2019 fruit. Lovely complexity, with a note of cloudberries spicing up the red and dark fruit. Not highly focused, but chilling slightly helps bring out its qualities. Delightful.

(Drink from 2026) – Very Good (88p) – Tasted 25/03/2021 –

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Domaine de la Folie Bourgogne Aligote 2019

According to the domaine’s website, the Aligote comes from very old vines – 90+ years. It is indeed fresh and vivid, delicately forward with a lush sweet hint coming presumably from the old vines mixed with 2019 charm. The finely reduced note brings delightful freshness to the wine. Vivid and very pure, this is a treat.

(Drink from 2021) – Good+ (87-88p) – Tasted 25/03/2021 –