The history of Domaine Jean-Yves Millaire begins in the 1950’s when Jean-Yves’ grandfather acquired several vineyard plots in the Fronsac and Canon Fronsac appellations on the right bank of the Dordogne River in Bordeaux. In 1998, after decades of leasing the vineyards to other winegrowers, Jean-Yves took over the family domaine, and along with his wife Christine, they now passionately cultivate 45 hectares of vines across 3 different appellations.
The vineyard work is rooted in biodynamics, which yields finished wines that offer a true expression of terroir thanks to a holistic and ecological approach to managing the land. Vinification takes place naturally with indigenous yeasts in concrete and oak tanks, and undergoes aging in barrels, foudre and amphora. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
We recently spent time with Jean-Yves in Paris where he was pouring a selection of wines from his different estates. And while we were certainly impressed with his intelligence and charm – it’s hard to resist his charm when he’s speaking so passionately about winegrowing – it was his wine that really spoke to us.
Today’s offer features two of the domaine’s estates: Château Cavale and Château Lamarche Canon, each of which perfectly highlights why we’re so excited to begin our partnership with Domaine Jean-Yves Millaire.
2020 Château Cavale
100% Merlot from 30-year-old vines on clay soil. Intense aromas of blackberry, raspberry and white pepper. The palate displays crunchy, fresh berry fruit, stoney minerality, soft tannins and a round mouthfeel.
Retail $29.95 / btl
2018 Château Lamarche Canon
70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec
40-year-old vines planted in clay-limestone soils. Spicy, deep notes of fresh red and black fruits on the nose gain in density with exposure to air. The palate is well-balanced between approachable fruit and structure driven-minerality and concentration. A full-bodied, complex and precise wine.
Retail $49.95 / btl (6 btl/cs)
About Domaine Jean-Yves Millaire
The history of the domain is relatively short given the region’s historic significance. Jean-Yves’ grandfather purchased 6 acres of vines in 1950 in the communes of St. Michel de Fronsac and Fronsac. However, it wasn’t until 1998 that Jean-Yves took over the estate. In 2005 his wife, Christine, joined him and in 2006 they started the conversion to organic viticulture. Jean-Yves and Christine have the ultimate respect for the land so the decision to convert the vineyards to biodynamics in 2009 was a natural one.
