A Rare Vosne-Romanée from the Slopes of La Tâche
From just 7 barrels comes one of Burgundy’s most elusive insider gems: 2012 Domaine de Montille Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru “Cuvée Christiane”.
Sourced from a secluded, walled-off section of Aux Malconsorts, this special cuvée sits directly beside La Tâche, sharing its slope, soil, and mystique.
Crafted only in select vintages and bottled separately in tribute to Etienne de Montille’s mother, “Christiane” offers a deeper, more powerful expression than the estate’s already-esteemed Malconsorts. It’s Vosne-Romanée at its most serious structured, mineral, regal.
As Allen Meadows (Burghound) writes,
“As good as the regular cuvée is, there is just another dimension present here. In a word, marvelous.”
The 2012 vintage delivered everything a collector dreams of: concentration without excess, finesse wrapped in density, and acidity that keeps the wine lifted and alive. Fermented with about 80% whole clusters and matured in 65% new oak, it opens with vivid notes of orange zest, strawberry preserve, incense, and crushed stone. The palate is sleek and intense, yet elegant - Pinot Noir with power, polish, and a long, commanding finish.
The Domaine: A Noble Legacy, A Modern Vision
The Montille name is one of Burgundy’s great houses, with family roots stretching back to the 14th century and deep ties to the Côte de Nuits. But it was in recent decades - under the vision of Etienne de Montille and his father, Hubert - that the domaine became one of the most respected producers in the region.
Etienne’s background in international banking gave him the financial freedom to farm on his terms. He embraced biodynamics not as a trend, but as a way to grow healthier vines and make more expressive wines. He also championed whole cluster fermentation well before it became fashionable again in Burgundy, seeking freshness, aromatic lift, and texture in his reds.
The domaine has since expanded to include prized holdings in Puligny-Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne, and Clos de Vougeot, but it’s this tiny parcel within Aux Malconsorts, bordering La Tâche, that has become one of its most treasured secrets.
Why This Wine Belongs in Your Cellar
“Christiane” is not just rare - it’s rarely seen. With fewer than 2,000 bottles produced and even fewer released in the U.S., it’s the kind of wine that disappears quickly and becomes nearly impossible to replace. But this is more than scarcity - it’s about site, story, and execution. It’s Vosne-Romanée from an elite producer farming on sacred ground, made in a vintage that has matured into its perfect drinking window.
The 2012 Cuvée Christiane is just starting to open up for business - but it still has plenty of structure to cellar for decades to come. Whether you’re collecting to drink or holding for long-term appreciation, this is a wine that delivers on every level.