Patrick Javillier, aka "The King of Meursault", trained as an electrical engineer before studying oenology at the University of Dijon, alma mater of so many great Burgundian winemakers, and taking over the family domaine in the mid 70’s. The Javilliers have been involved in the Burgundy business for generations beginning as courtiers and, after acquiring a few hectares of vines, domaine owners. Today, the orginal 3 hectares of vines have grown to 9.5 hectares and the Domaine Javillier has become one of the 
elite addresses in the Côte d’Or. According to a recent Clive Coates article, Javillier is one of the top ten Burgundy domaines of all time along with the likes of fellow Meursault producer Comtes Lafon and more well known legends like Armand Rousseau and Roumier. Impressive company. Especially for a producer with no great vineyards save for a bit of Corton-Charlemagne. This domaine should be on your radar as a great source of top level Burgundy, especially for this cuvée; a perennial best value in white Burgundy.
The Cuvée des Forgets is sourced from a 2.25 hectare plot in the Bourgogne blanc appellation on the Volnay side, or north, of Meursault where the chalky limestone gives way to deeper, alluvial soils. This is excellent Meursault in all but name (or price!) This cuvée is made the same way as the upper level Meursaults in the cellar with aging in a mix of old and new barrique, batonnage etc., traditional techniques which bring out the extraordinary complexity that Chardonnay is capable of achieving in the right hands. The 2010 vintage was a particularly fine one for Meursault yielding wines with up front aromatics and dense, fleshy texture with plenty of supporting acidity. A lot like 2008 but just a little more perfect in my mind. The Cuvée des Forgets 2010 fits this profile with pretty notes of white flowers, stone fruit, green apple and a bit of toasty oak followed by a generously textured mid palate and a firm, mineral and acid finish. Easy enough to open on delivery but one of the most rewarding white Burgundy’s in this price range to lay down for a few years.
Steve Goldun
Author