By Camille Balboux
A Christmas diptych of rare Henri Jayer magnums, purchased from the estate…
Henri Jayer. You have undoubtedly heard this name before. Indeed, it resonates in the hearts of Burgundy’s wine lovers, but not only there. The reputation and esteemed work of this man have spread worldwide, inspiring and delighting the wine community.
Henri Jayer was a pioneer. He saw nature in all its qualities, strengths, and beauty, and considered working with it a true privilege. As a winemaker, Henri believed that by respecting nature and its natural processes and trends, one could extract the very best it had to offer. This approach was innovative at the time, as the weather conditions were often harsh, resulting in very small yields, and protecting the fruit was often a priority. As such, he always prioritized quality over quantity, enabling him to harvest perfectly ripe fruit — a rare feat that meant taking the risk of losing everything in the event of unexpected bad weather.
One of the finest vintages of the century…
Lot 1 in the “North-East” auction presents a rare magnum of Richebourg from the 1978 vintage. On this clay-limestone soil, this Grand Cru is ideally situated in the heart of Burgundy's greatest vineyards, in the famous village of Vosne-Romanée. Covering approximately 8.5 hectares, this relatively small parcel benefits from an optimal exposure, allowing the grapes to ripen in perfect conditions.
Henri Jayer began harvesting this vintage on October 9th, and the yields were small. The first half of the growing season had been unpromising, yet thanks to exceptional weather in September and October, the vintage is recognized as one of the finest of the century. This wine was already extraordinary straight from the barrel, showing all the necessary qualities for aging beautifully. Grand Cru Richebourg is renowned for its aging potential, offering a superb structure with elegant yet firm tannins, which allow the complex, savory aromas of black fruits to develop over time.
This magnum has been ideally stored in a natural cellar in Burgundy ever since it was purchased from the estate. This lot represents a true piece of history, offering a rare opportunity to be part of Henri Jayer’s legacy and to care for this liquid treasure.
Register now for this online auction and join us on December 23rd at 2 pm (CET).
lot 1
lot 1
Domaine Henri Jayer
Richebourg 1978
chf 60'000 - 120'000
the auction
