2018 Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin Les Crais

Born in Paris to parents with a military tradition, Jean-Michel Guillon chose to settle in France after his service in the Polynesian Islands. He started his viticultural activity in 1980 with 2.3 ha of land. Today, the estate represents 15 ha spread over more than 20 appellations. After 40 years of intoxicating passions, Jean-Michel will gradually give way to his son Alexis. Eldest son of Jean-Michel, Alexis very quickly showed an interest in the vineyard and wanted to contribute to the family effort by joining his father at the estate. Alternating in BTS between 1999 and 2001 in a domain of Chambolle Musigny then a few years later in Beaujolais and Pic Saint Loup he represents, since his integration in 2001, the referent person within the family domain and a wise adviser. Among his most aggressive innovations may be his use of new oak—100% at all levels, including the Bourgogne Rouge, his entry-level wine. On this front he quotes Henri Jayer, perhaps Burgundy’s most inventive winemaker: “There are no great wines without new barrels”. As such, Guillon & Fils is the biggest buyer of new French oak in Burgundy after Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and the Hospices de Beaune, most arranged through a long-standing partnership with the Ermitage and Cavin cooperages.