Domaine Devillard 2022 "Le Renard" Bourgogne Pinot Noir 750ml

The Devillard family's roots in Burgundy trace back to the 12th century in Mercurey, and their modern winemaking history began in 1934, when the Marquis de Jouennes — father-in-law of Bertrand Devillard — produced his first bottle of red Mercurey. Nearly a century later, the fifth generation of that same family, Amaury and Aurore Devillard, now oversees an estate portfolio that includes some of Burgundy's most respected names: Château de Chamirey, Domaine des Perdrix, Domaine de la Ferté, and Domaine de la Garenne. Le Renard — "the fox" — is the label the family built specifically to bring that same level of winemaking expertise to a genuinely accessible price point.

The philosophy behind Le Renard is disarmingly simple: express the purest taste of each grape varietal from Burgundy, using the same winemaking team responsible for the family's finest Premier Cru and Grand Cru bottlings. The 2022 Pinot Noir is sourced from select growers across the region, farmed on Jurassic limestone and marl soils — premier terroir by any Burgundian standard — with sustainable practices including green harvesting and traditional Guyot pruning at a density of 10,000 vines per hectare. Fermentation and aging take place in stainless steel, a deliberate choice to preserve purity and freshness over oak-driven weight.

The result opens with aromas of cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry, accented by delicate notes of earth and spice — bright and lively on the nose, with a palate that turns elegant and silky: fine tannins, vibrant acidity, and a savoury edge that gives the wine real Burgundian character despite its everyday accessibility. Wine-Searcher's aggregate places the 2022 vintage at 89 points, among the strongest showings in the wine's recent vintage history. Refined, balanced, and — as more than one retailer has put it — effortlessly drinkable. A genuine taste of Burgundy's finest winemaking pedigree, at the price point where most people are still just discovering the region.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Le Renard is produced by the Devillard family, whose history in Burgundian winemaking stretches back to the 12th century in Mercurey and whose modern estate began in 1934 with the Marquis de Jouennes' first bottling of red Mercurey. Today the fifth generation, siblings Amaury and Aurore Devillard, manages a portfolio of respected Burgundy properties including Château de Chamirey, Domaine des Perdrix, Domaine de la Ferté, and Domaine de la Garenne. Le Renard was created as a separate, more accessible label, crafted by the same winemaking team responsible for the family's finest Premier Cru and Grand Cru releases — a deliberate effort to extend that expertise to wines sourced more broadly and priced for everyday enjoyment.

The 2022 Bourgogne Pinot Noir is sourced from select growers across Burgundy rather than a single estate vineyard, farmed on Jurassic limestone and marl soils considered premier terroir within the region. Vineyards are sustainably managed, employing green harvesting and the traditional Guyot pruning system at a planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare — a relatively high density consistent with quality-focused Burgundian viticulture. Vinification takes place entirely in stainless steel, without oak influence, a choice specifically intended to showcase the pure, unadorned character of the Pinot Noir grape and the vintage itself rather than layering in barrel-derived spice or vanilla.

Tasting Profile

Nose
Bright ruby color, with aromas of cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry leading the way — fresh and lively rather than deep or brooding. Delicate notes of earth and spice add complexity beneath the fruit. Subtle floral notes evoke the region's classic character.

Palate
Elegant and silky, with fine, well-integrated tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine genuinely refreshing. Red currants and black cherries carry the primary fruit character, joined by a savoury edge that gives the wine real Burgundian typicity. A chalky, mineral quality runs beneath the fruit, a reflection of the Jurassic limestone soils.

Finish
Medium length, closing with a touch of spice and mineral tones. Refined and balanced — a finish built for immediate enjoyment, though the wine's underlying structure suggests it can also reward a few years of cellaring.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Roast chicken and grilled duck — the producer's own recommendation
• Mushroom risotto
• Spice-driven Southeast Asian dishes — Malaysian or Indonesian cuisine specifically noted (avoiding overly sweet preparations)
• Coquilles St. Jacques
• Grilled salmon