Jean-Michel Guillon was born in Paris and a pilot with the French army. Nobody in his family was ever involved in wine. He always loved Burgundy wines and in 1980 he boarded a train to Burgundy, got off and stayed. He had no training or any qualifications in winemaking. He studied what the experienced masters in the region did and built up relationships that have led to acquisitions of vineyards. Through tireless work he built a domaine of 35 acres of vineyards in the finest sites, among them parcels in the 2 Grand Cru sites: Clos de Vougeot and Mazis-Chambertin. In 2005 his son joined to work in the winery. Since 1990 the prominent French wine magazine Guide Hachette regularly selects the Guillon wines as top wines.
Jancis Robinson MW, November 2015: Comparing the prices with my scores, I would identify the best-value 2013 Clos de Vougeot as that of Jean-Michel Guillon.
Jean-Michel Guillon was our host. We were also joint by Jean-Michel's son Alexis Guillon.
Domaine Jean Michel Gillon
Domaine Jean Michel Gillon is in Gevrey-Chambertin, right on the Route National. Jean Michel founded the estate in 1980; it is one of the few new estates in Gevrey-Chambertin. Jean Micchel started with 2 appelations; today his portfolio comprises 20 appelations, among them parcels in the 2 Grand Cru sites: Clos de Vougeot and Mazis-Chambertin. In 2005 his son joined to work in the winery. Since 1990 the prominent French wine magazine Guide Hachette regularly selects the Guillon wines as top wines. 94 percent of the production is red wine and 6 percent white wine. Total production is 7000 cases, of which 55 percent is exported, including to the US and Canada. 40 percent is sold at the estate directly to consumers.
Albany Vintners (UK): A new exciting find for us, Jean Michel Guillon is a passionate winemaker who takes Rousseau, Dugat-Py and Denis Bachelet as his inspiration to make rich, impressive Burgundies; these are highly accomplished, succulent Burgundies which, to quote Allen Meadows "retain a clear sense of style and grace and remain identifiably pinot noir". Attention to detail in the vineyard and vinification is scrupulous with yields kept low to produce the best fruit, and 100% of the finest new oak (notably this approach is carried across the range starting even with the Marsannay).
Jeam-Michel has also introduced meticulous practices such as whole cluster fermentation to emphasise the purity of the fruit.
The Wines Jean-Michel Guillon Poured
Albany Vintners (UK): This Domaine has attracted worldwide attention since the 2002 vintage but the 2013s are well rated by Allen Meadows and are, according to Monsieur Guillon, better than his 2012s. These are fleshy, supple, robust wines that offer serious value for money and will provide much drinking pleasure - we couldn't recommend these highly enough and recommend stocking up on these great value Burgundies, which are nigh on impossible to find with any age.
In the Washington DC area, Chain-Bridge Cellars in Mc Lean carries a large selection of the Domaine Jean-Michel Gillon wines.
The Wines we Tasted
2014 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Bourgogne Pinot Noir
2014 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Fixin „Les Crais“
Chain Bridge Cellars: Jean-Michel's very first vintage in this vineyard perched near the top of the hill overlooking the village of Fixin. A strict green harvest brought yields down to 30 hl/ha (very low in this "value" village) to give the wine the kind of concentration and body Jean-Michel is known for. Aging in 100% new French oak provided roundness, but the oak flavors are buried in the fresh cherry/berry fruit and give just the nicest touch of spice. Round and full of fruit and softly supple on the juicy finish, this is an outstanding Burgundy to enjoy young and will improve for 5+ years.
"A discreet application of wood serves as a backdrop for the pretty plum, violet, earth and slightly gamy aromas. Here too there is a relatively sleek mouth feel to the vibrant and overtly stony middle weight flavors that display a mild touch of austerity on the balanced and refreshing finish."Allen Meadows 87-90 points
"A discreet application of wood serves as a backdrop for the pretty plum, violet, earth and slightly gamy aromas. Here too there is a relatively sleek mouth feel to the vibrant and overtly stony middle weight flavors that display a mild touch of austerity on the balanced and refreshing finish."Allen Meadows 87-90 points
2014 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Gevrey Chambertin „Les Crais“
2014 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Gevrey Chambolle Mussigny
2014 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux
As it has for the past few years, Champeaux stands out among Guillon's 2014 1er Cru wines for its purity of fruit and beautiful texture. Much more open and accessible than Champonnets today, Champeax impresses with its blend of ripe dark fruit, classic Gevrey earth and iron-ore, and hints of floral elegance. Approachable now, better from 2021 – 2029+.
Outstanding "A cool, pure and restrained nose speaks of red currant, plum, earth and a hint of the sauvage. There is lovely detail to the sleek and beautifully refined middle weight flavors that retain a fine sense of delineation before terminating in a balanced, classy and mineral-inflected finish. Textbook Champeaux."Allen Meadows 91-93 points
2014 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Petite Chapelle
With the Gevrey Vieilles Vignes, this is one of the most outstanding values in this offering, delivering Grand Cru level ripeness, concentration, and complexity at a price well under many very good 1er Crus. As with the Grand Crus, Jean-Michel ferments Petite Chapelle in a brand-new, open-top, wood fermenter before aging it in the best French oak money can buy. You can begin to peak in on its development in 2021 if you like, but put some away to drink from 2024 to whenever.
Outstanding "Here too there is moderate but not dominant wood setting off the more elegant and airy red and dark pinot aromas that exhibit background nuances of earth, floral and spice. There is a notably finer mouth feel to the even more mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that retain a lovely sense of delineation on the punchy, focused and well-balanced finale."Allen Meadows 91-93 points
Postings: Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History (Published and Forthcoming Postings)
Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours: From Lyon to Reims - Wine, Food, Culture and History
Dinner at a Bouchon - Chez Paul - in Lyon: Schiller’s Favorite Bouchons in Lyon, France
Introduction to the Burgundy Wine Region at Antic Wine in Lyon with Flying Sommelier Georges Dos Santos - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch at L’Auberge du Pont de Collonges, Paul Bocuse’s Iconic Restaurant in Collonges au Mont d’Or, France - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
In the Most Prestigious AOC in the Mâconnais: Pouilly-Fuissé, France
Vineyard Walk, Cellar Walk and Tasting at Domaine Ferret in Fuissé, Poully Fuissé, Mâconnais, with Winemaker Audrey Braccini - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Visit and Tasting at Domaine Georges Descombes in Vermont, Villié-Morgon, Beaujolais - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch at Restaurant Le Mercurey in Mercurey - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
At Domaine Theulot-Juillot in Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, with Nathalie Theulot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Tour of Château de Rully and Tasting of Domaine du Château de Rully Wines, with Count Raoul de Ternay - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Michel Prunier & Fille in Auxey Duresses, Côte de Beaune - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Where Robert Parker likes to Eat: Lunch at La Crémaillère in Auxey-Duresses - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Vineyard Walk in Meursault with Karoline Knoth - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Dinner at the 1 Michelin Star Restaurant Ed.Em in Chassagne Montrachet - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Olivier Leflaive in Puligny Montrachet: Vineyard Walk and Cellar Tour, with Olivier and Patrick Leflaive - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France
Lunch and Wine Tasting at La Table de Olivier in Puligny Montrachet with Olivier Leflaive – Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France
Visit: Hospices de Beaune– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour by ombiasy WineTours 2016, France
Lunch in a Typical French Brasserie: Le Carnot in Beaune - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Visit and Tasting: Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune– Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours, France
Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars in Beaune, Bourgogne
An American Making Ultra-Premium Wines in Burgundy: Visit and Tasting at Domaine Dublère in Savigny lès Beaune, with Owner/ Winemaker Blair Pethel - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting Natural Wines with Maurice Marle at Chez Maurice in Beaune - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Faiveley in Nuits St. Georges - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting from Barrel at Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron in Prémeaux-Prissey, Côte de Nuits, with Owner/ Winemaker Louis Meunier - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
Lunch at Restaurant La Cabotte in Nuits-Saint-George - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Tasting at Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair in Nuits-Saint-George, from Barrel and from Bottle, with Thibault Liger-Belair - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Visit of Château du Clos de Vougeot - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Where the Most Expensive Red Wines Come from: Vineyard Walk, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Anne Gros in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits - Bourgogne (and Champagne) Tour 2016 by ombiasy WineTours
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Guillon & Fils in Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, with Jean-Michel Guillon
An Institution: Lunch at Restaurant Chez Guy in Gevrey-Chambertin
Cellar Tour and Tasting at Domaine Armelle et Bernhard Rion in Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, with Alice Rion
Tour at the Fontenay Abbey (Bernard de Clairveau), Montbard
Wine Pairing Lunch, Cellar Visit, Vineyard Tour and Tasting at Domaine Jean Marc Brocard in Préhy, Chablis
Schiller’s Favorite Wine Bars and other Wine Venues in Chablis, France
Champagne– An Introduction, France
French Champagne Houses and German Roots
Visit and Tasting at the Grower Champagne House Champagne Jean Josselin in Gyé sur Seine, Champagne, with Jean Pierre Josselin, his Wife and Sharona Tsubota
Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House AR Lenoble in Epernay, Champagne, with Export Manager Christian Holthausen
Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagner House Taittinger in Reims, Champagne
Lunch at Brasserie Flo in Reims