A visit to the Javillier family is always both a pleasure and a great learning experience with great insight from either Patrick himself or his daughter Marion. Marion now takes the lead in running the estate with her husband, Pierre Emmanuel. The vineyards originally comprised just three hectares, of which two were village Meursault and the third of which was given over to the Aligoté variety. There are now ten hectares which extend over 14 separate appellations. The heart of Domaine Javillier will always be in Meursault, as the Domaine has six different plots of Village-level vineyard. Each parcel is vinified separately and then aged in barrel as appropriate before assembling the final blend or cuvée. The result is impeccable quality with modest pricing given that his vineyards and wines are rated so highly.
While the wines from this address have always been a joy to drink, there seems to be a subtle raising of the quality bar and most importantly an increasing consistency of very high quality. In this respect we were truly taken aback by the wines of the 2016 vintage from this wonderful domaine.
Domaine Patrick Javillier, Bourgogne Blanc, Cuvée Oligocène 2016
The Bourgogne Blanc label does this wine no favours, as it impresses over and above many Meursault. This is round, juicy and shows admirable concentration, with a stony, flinty quality. The fruit offers notes of mouth-watering grapefruit and finely ripe citrus. A smart buy in 2016. Drink 2018-2021
£195 per twelve bottle case in bond
Domaine Patrick Javillier, Meursault, Les Tillets 2016
The Tillets has excelled in 2016, exuding stony, mineral, citrus oil notes with a racy, clean cut character. There is a fine sense of energy with layered fruit beautifully offset by the inherent raciness. A wine of fine clarity and purity. A joy to taste even at this early stage. Drink 2018-2024
£350 per six bottle case in bond
Domaine Patrick Javillier, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2016
The intensity of a majestic Grand Cru is evident here; bold, intense, broad-shouldered yet underscored by a mineral-infused acidity. The mineral characters are really pronounced on the finish of this tightly-focused Corton-Charlemagne. A wine of power and precision. Very impressive. Drink 2020-2028
£510 per six bottle case in bond