Another impressive Swiss producer: Domaine de Montbenay from the Vaud
Website: https://domainedemontbenay.com/
Domaine de Montbenay is run by Paul de Watteville (pictured above), who took over from his father Maurice in 2022, although the latter is still involved. They are now using amphorae for some of their vinifications. They began doing this in 2019, using hand-built clay vessels from Castelnaudry in the Roussillon, and were immediately convinced by their qualities. They also use Tava for some of their wines. All the wines are wild ferment.
For the Trésières plot, Paul sourced a massale selection of 500 types of Pinot Noir from famed pépiniériste Lilian Berillon. This is attention to detail.
Domaine de Montbenay Chasselas Tradition 2024 Vaud, Switzerland
This is a classically styled Chasselas fermented and aged in large oak barrels. Concentrated and crystalline with nice precision and weight, with lovely pear and white peach fruit, as well as some citrus. Good intensity and focus here. 92/100
Domaine de Montbenay Sauvignon 2024 Vaud, Switzerland
Fermented and aged in clay (Tava). Fruity and expressive with stony lemon fruit and some appealing green hints. It’s a really intriguing Sauvignon with good weight on the palate, and a mineral quality. 92/100
Domaine de Montbenay Pinot Noir 2024 Vaud, Switzerland
This is raised in amphora, and it’s 50% whole bunch. Fresh, stony and bright with lovely red cherry and redcurrant fruit, showing nice focus and brightness with some tension, too. Lovely balance here. 93/100
Domaine de Montbenay Pinot Noir Les Trésières 2024 Vaud, Switzerland
100% whole cluster. After 10 days this is destemmed, and given 10 more days skin contact before ageing 10 months in French oak. Vivid red in colour. Lovely concentration and tension but still bright, with red cherry and raspberry fruit with good acidity and a hint of spicy oak. Nice mineral twist. 94/100
