Burgundy
Domaine Philippe Colin
Domaine Philippe Colin, established in 2004, is situated in the esteemed village of Chassagne-Montrachet in Burgundy's Côte de Beaune region. Philippe Colin, after studying viticulture and oenology at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune, joined his family's estate, Domaine Colin-Deléger, in 1988. In 2004, following his parents' retirement, Philippe and his brother Bruno divided the family holdings, leading Philippe to establish his own domaine.
Initially, Domaine Philippe Colin managed approximately 12 hectares (30 acres) of vineyards, producing around 35,000 bottles annually. However, in 2021, Philippe transferred two-thirds of the estate's vineyards to his son, Simon, who now produces wines under his own label. Currently, the domaine cultivates 5 hectares (12.5 acres) of vineyards around Chassagne-Montrachet, focusing on both terroir white and red wines across 11 appellations.
The white wines include:
- Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Combes
- Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées Clos Saint-Abdon
- Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes
- Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru En Remilly
- Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Demoiselles
- Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru
- Chassagne-Montrachet Champs de Morjot
The red wines comprise:
- Bourgogne Pinot Noir
- Santenay Clos de Saint-Jean
- Maranges Vieilles Vignes
Philippe Colin emphasizes elegance and subtlety over power in his wines. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, following the "lutte raisonnée" approach, which minimizes chemical interventions. Grapes are hand-harvested, and the wines are aged in French oak barrels, with approximately 25% new oak, using a combination of 228L, 450L, and 500L barrels.
In addition to his Burgundy operations, Philippe expanded his winemaking ventures to South Africa in 2014 by acquiring Topiary Wines in the Franschhoek Valley. There, he cultivates Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, conducting a second harvest in February.
Domaine Philippe Colin's wines are known for their aging potential, with premier and grand cru vintages capable of maturing gracefully over 10 to 20 years, and exceptional vintages even longer. This longevity, combined with the domaine's commitment to quality and terroir expression, makes their wines both a delight for enthusiasts and a sound investment.