Domaine Dujac, Clos Saint-Denis, Grand Cru 2022

“The 2022 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru is beautiful, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, cherries, blood orange, rose petals and spices. Full-bodied, supple and suave, with a multidimensional core of cool, pure fruit, it’s seamless and velvety, with lively acids and a long, saline finish.”-(95-97)WA

Domaine Dujac was founded by 26-year-old Jacques Seysses, son of a successful biscuit manufacturer, Louis Seysses. Jacques first developed his winemaking career as an apprentice to Gérard Potel at Domaine de la Pousse d’Or. After two harvests at this domaine, he learned the essentials of their winemaking style and met some of Burgundy’s most revered winemakers. In 1967, he purchased 4.5 ha (11 acres) at Domaine Marcel Graillet in Morey-Saint-Denis and renamed the winery after himself as the “Domaine of Jac”, or Domaine Dujac.

From the start, Jacques set his mission on blending modern techniques with traditional winemaking, while also refining a style that he could call his own. In 1978, Jacques obtained a degree in oenology and, overtime, provided guidance to interns including Ted Lemon of Littorai and Jean-Pierre de Smet, former owner and winemaker of Domaine de l`Arlot. As Dujac’s holdings expanded – from 5 ha in 1968 to nearly 16 ha today – Jacques and his wife Rosalind looked beyond local markets and exported nearly 80% of their production to 18 countries around the world.

Today, the estate is transitioning to the next generation with son Alec, assuming many of his father’s administrative duties, son Jeremy who is heavily involved in winemaking & marketing, and Jeremy’s wife Diana Snowden, a UC Davis graduate in enology in charge of managing the cellar.