2011 Monthelie 1er Cru Les Vignes Rondes, Prunier-Bonheur
"This was my first visit to Pascal Prunier, a fifth-generation vigneron whose eight-hectare domaine is based out of cellars in Meursault that formerly belonged to the Roulot family. Prunier isn't far from farming organically, though he uses a few synthetic treatments around flowering. In the vineyards, he works the soil, prunes long and debuds, telling me that he seeks air flow and open canopies above all else. The domaine's high proportion of old vines means yields are seldom exaggerated, he adds. Reds see three weeks cuvaison with gentle handling, and whites are barrel fermented, with a high proportion of 350-liter barrels, see the better part of the year in wood followed by several months in stainless steel before bottling. These are understated but flavorful wines from modest appellations, and I appreciated their elegant structure and aromatic complexity. What's more, the range represents keen value. So, I'll be following Prunier with interest in the future." William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, July 2019
