With viticultural secrets passed down from generation to generation for over 150 years, if ever a Burgundy could fill the history books, Domaine Louis Jadot is it.

Beginning with just one parcel of wine in 1826, Louis Jadot is perhaps Burgundy's biggest success story. However, it wasn't until 1859 that Jadot became a name in the Burgundy region, beginning as a negociant for the wines of the region that were enjoying a heyday. Slow acquisition of the neighbouring vineyards followed, including parcels of the excellent Corton Pouget and Chevalier Montrachet les Demoiselles in the early 1900s. Fast forward almost 100 years to 1996 when the domaine made a vertical viticultural leap and expanded his portfolio with the acquisition of the Chateaux St. Jacques label. This included winemaking facilities and extensive holdings in Beaujolais, including some 67 acres of AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) Moulin à Vent vineyards.

Today owning 140 hectares of superb Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the domaine produces an astonishing 250 different labels. Its superb reputation is often attributed to domaine manager Jacques Lardiere’s viticultural magic. It would seem then that Jadot’s mission, back in 1859: to maintain the grandeur of Burgundy’s great terroirs for all time, has been and truly met. Jacques does this by controlling yields and pruning by hand, using no machinery in the vine lanes and maturing in barrel. Jacques’ own nursery is home to source vine material that ensures the protection and continuity of plants for the future. His non-interventionist winemaking policy means that the wines are simply left to speak for themselves.

As far as big, investable wines go, there is an embarrassment of choice here, but for those with big pockets, why not look for a Grand Cru like Le Musigny? The Wine Advocate gave the 2014 vintage a score of 96 and Jancis Robinson gave the 2010 vintage a score of 19/20. In November 2018 a 6-bottle lot of the 1971 vintage sold at auction (Sotheby’s/NY) for €8,209 - more than double, (in fact, triple) the low end of its €2,648 - 3,707 estimate.