Domaine Recrue des Sens is a biodynamic, natural winery founded in 2010 by Yann Durieux and his partner Christela in Villers-la-Faye, Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, near Messanges and Nuits-Saint-Georges. Yann, a fourth-generation winemaker from Nuits-Saint-Georges, oversees ~3 hectares of owned and rented vineyards, including plots in Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin, and near the historic l’Abbaye de Saint-Vivant. Certified organic and biodynamic, the domaine produces ~3,000–5,000 bottles annually of Pinot Noir, Aligoté, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris (Beurot), labeled as Vin de France to bypass Burgundy’s appellation constraints. Known for their purity, elegance, and “zero-zero” (no sulfites, no additives) approach, Durieux’s wines have cult status, with 70–80% exported to the US, Japan, and Europe. His decade as vineyard manager at Domaine Prieuré-Roch (2000–2010), under Henri-Frédéric Roch, and proximity to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) in Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, underscore his prestige.

Winemaking Philosophy

• Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture: Certified organic and biodynamic, with 50-year-old vines (25 hl/ha yields) on clay-limestone soils at semi-high altitude (300–400 meters). No chemical sprays or fertilizers; vineyards are horse-plowed or manually hoed to preserve soil health. Biodynamic treatments (horn manure, silica, herbal infusions) and low-yield pruning enhance terroir expression. Yann’s plots, including Les Ponts, Les Grands Ponts, and Manon (near DRC and Curtil-Vergy’s abbey), benefit from isolated, biodiverse settings.

• Natural Winemaking: “Zero-zero” cellar in Villers-la-Faye. Reds (Pinot Noir, Les 1er Ponts, Black Pinot, CDN Rouge, Jeannot) use whole-cluster, spontaneous fermentation in fiberglass or stainless steel tanks (10–14 days), with minimal pigeage. Aging lasts 12–24 months in used 228L Burgundy barrels (5–15 years old) for finesse, avoiding new oak. Whites (Aligoté, Chardonnay, Love and Pif, Manon, Les Grands Ponts Blancs) are whole-bunch pressed, fermented in tanks or old barrels, and aged 10–12 months (steel for Love and Pif’s freshness, barrels for Manon). Pinot Gris (Beurot) sees 3-week skin contact and 10-month steel aging. No fining, filtration, sulfur, or chaptalization. Bottles rest 6–12 months before release for complexity.

• Grape Varieties and Cuvées:

  • Whites: Aligoté (Love and Pif 2020, 4.0/300, $40–60), Chardonnay (Les Grands Ponts Blancs 2018, 4.1/50), Pinot Gris (Beurot, <200L). Profiles are steely, with citrus, white flowers, and mineral precision (e.g., Love and Pif: pear, lemon, chalk).

  • Reds: Pinot Noir (Les 1er Ponts, Black Pinot, CDN Rouge, Jeannot, Les Ponts Rouges). Essences include cherry, raspberry, rose, violet, pepper, and velvety tannins (e.g., Les 1er Ponts 2019: 4.0/100, earthy, red fruit, $50–70).

  • Notable: Manon (white, named for daughter, 4.2/80), BT (Pinot Noir, 3.9/150), Cuvée Longue (Pinot Noir, rare).

• Terroir: Hautes-Côtes de Nuits’ clay-limestone and barren soils yield fresh, elegant wines. Proximity to DRC’s vineyard and Curtil-Vergy’s abbey adds prestige. Gevrey-Chambertin plots enhance complexity.

Background

• Founder: Yann Durieux, born ~1980s in Nuits-Saint-Georges, vinified his first vintage at 13 with family vineyards. After studying viticulture, he joined Domaine Prieuré-Roch (2000–2010), managing Clos-de-Bèze under Henri-Frédéric Roch, whom he considers a father figure. In 2010, with Christela, he reclaimed his grandfather’s vineyards and revived Recrue des Sens (meaning “Return of the Senses”), a struggling estate in Messanges. Their daughter, Manon, inspires a cuvée.

• Vision: To craft pure, living wines that express terroir without additives, blending Burgundy’s tradition with natural wine’s freedom. Yann’s rejection of AOC labels reflects his disdain for bureaucratic constraints, prioritizing quality over prestige.

• Scale: ~3 hectares (owned and rented) yield ~3,000–5,000 bottles across 10–15 cuvées, with high demand limiting availability. Yann and Christela intend to stay small, focusing on meticulous farming.

• Challenges: Small yields and frost (e.g., 2021) reduce output, but biodynamics ensures vine resilience. High demand and no critic samples fuel cult status, akin to Leroy or Prieuré-Roch.