In 2011 Antoine Lienhardt took over 4.2 hectares of family vineyards that have been on long-term lease since his grandfather’s retirement in 1992. Antoine had previously cut his teeth working for four years at Domaine Amiot-Servelle in Chambolle-Musigny, with shorter stints in Chablis and in South Africa. Gifted with family vines and not encumbered by the pressures of tradition and heritage, Antoine set out to be the first in his family to make wine.

‘At the heart of domaine’s holdings are three lieux-dits in Comblanchien planted in the 1960s by his grandfather. The main differences between the parcels are the rockier top soils in Les Essards and greater clay content of those in Les Plantes. As in the rest of Burgundy, small variations make for distinctive flavour profiles: Les Plantes Aux Bois is more generous, a touch broader and more lush; Les Essards - more classic in style, is nervier, taut and more pungently mineral and cool toned. Both have lively acidity, energetic minerality and a compelling tension between the pure Pinot fruit and savoury earthiness. The ‘Emphase’, by contrast, is more refined, but is also endowed with a structure and minerality that is somewhat reminiscent of it’s more noble northerly neighbour (Nuit Saint Georges)! There is a drive and energy in these wines that command your attention immediately. These are delicious and terroir-specific Burgundies to grace the table. Bravo to Antoine Liendhardt’. John McIlwain MW

In addition, Lienhardt makes some very impressive Gamay, Bourgogne Rouge, Bourgogne Blanc (Aligoté), NSTG and Volnay 1er Cru ‘Santenots’. He is now experimenting with amphora (terracotta) and egg-shaped tanks both in concrete and ceramic. Sulphur is used only at bottling point and if needed. The resulting wines are, as you might guess, highly individualistic.