2019 Domaine Joannès Violot-Guillemard Saint-Aubin Sur Le Sentier du Clou Blanc

The 2019 Domaine Joannès Violot-Guillemard Saint-Aubin Sur Le Sentier du Clou Blanc is a refined, high-altitude expression of Chardonnay from one of Burgundy’s most exciting new-generation vignerons. Drawn from a small, sought-after parcel above the village of Saint-Aubin, it delivers a striking combination of tension, perfume and mineral definition. This cuvée comes from the family domaine traditionally known for Pommard, now transitioning under the leadership of Joannès Violot-Guillemard, whose thoughtful approach to whole-cluster use and élevage has brought a contemporary finesse to this historic estate.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2019 Saint-Aubin Sur Le Sentier du Clou Blanc is pale straw to light gold, with a delicate brightness that hints at its altitude and freshness. The nose is immediately expressive: citrus blossom, lemon zest and crisp green apple are layered with white peach, chalk dust and a subtle hint of toasted hazelnut and fresh cream from judicious oak. There’s a fine floral lift—hawthorn, acacia and a touch of wet stone—that gives the wine an almost Côte de Nuits-like aromatic purity. On the palate, this is taut and precise, with a vivid core of citrus and orchard fruit wrapped in a mouthwatering, saline minerality. The texture is sleek and seamless rather than opulent, with a fine, chalky grip that carries flavors of Meyer lemon, pear skin, crushed limestone and a discreet touch of brioche. The acidity is vibrant yet well integrated, giving the wine both energy and length. While already approachable, the structure and mineral backbone suggest very good aging potential: expect it to evolve beautifully over 6–10 years from vintage, gaining additional complexity, creaminess and nutty depth while retaining its signature Saint-Aubin freshness.

Production
Sur Le Sentier du Clou is a high-lying Saint-Aubin climat, surrounded by respected sites such as Marinot, En La Ranche, Les Frionnes and Les Travers de Marinot. Here, stony, limestone-rich soils and cooler exposures naturally produce chiselled, mineral-driven whites with notable tension and finesse. The grapes are typically harvested by hand to preserve fruit integrity and allow for strict sorting in the vineyard and at the winery. After gentle pressing, the juice is fermented in oak barrels—often with a carefully judged proportion of new oak—using native yeasts to capture the character of the site. The wine then matures on fine lees, with minimal bâtonnage to enhance texture without sacrificing precision, before being bottled with as little intervention as possible to respect the purity and definition of this high-altitude terroir.

Food & Serving
This Saint-Aubin is a natural match for refined, delicately flavored dishes: think oysters, scallops, turbot, grilled sea bass, or simply prepared shellfish, as well as roast chicken, veal in light cream sauces and fresh goat’s cheese. Its citrus-driven palate and chalky minerality also work beautifully with sushi, sashimi and lightly spiced Asian seafood. Serve well-chilled but not icy, ideally around 10–12°C (50–54°F), to let the aromatics open without muting the texture. A brief 20–30 minute decant, or simply opening the bottle in advance, helps the wine unfurl its floral and mineral nuances, especially in its first few years.

Producer
Domaine Violot-Guillemard is a long-established family estate based in the Côte de Beaune, historically most associated with Pommard and other red Burgundy appellations. Over recent years, the transition from Thierry to his son Joannès has marked a new chapter, bringing meticulous vineyard work, careful use of whole clusters and thoughtful barrel choices to the forefront. The domaine has become increasingly recognized for producing wines that are perfumed, seamless and terroir-driven, with a finesse that recalls some of the most admired addresses on the Côte de Nuits. While production remains relatively small, the quality and character of both reds and whites—particularly from sites like Sur Le Sentier du Clou in Saint-Aubin—have solidified Violot-Guillemard’s reputation as one of the rising names to watch in Burgundy.