Domaine Dujac, Gevrey-Chambertin, Aux Combottes, Premier Cru 2021

“The 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Aux Combottes has turned out especially well this year, exhibiting aromas of sweet red berries, exotic spices, rose petals and blood orange. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, its enveloping core of fruit is framed by powdery structuring tannins.”-(91-93)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.