Wines to Discover Beyond the Michelin Grape Selection
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The first Michelin Grape Selection celebrates some of Burgundy's finest producers and vineyards. While Wine Journey does not currently represent the featured domaines, many of the vineyards recognised by Michelin are shared with, or sit directly beside, estates in our portfolio.
In Burgundy, great wines are often defined by terroir rather than just the producer. Vineyards separated by only a few metres can express remarkably similar qualities. This presents an opportunity to discover wines that deliver the same sense of place, exceptional craftsmanship, and often significantly better value.
Here are several wines from our portfolio that deserve attention if you are exploring the Michelin Grape Selection.
Jérôme Galeyrand - 'Les Retraits'
A Neighbour to Clos de la Maréchale
The Les Retraits vineyard lies directly beside Clos de la Maréchale, one of Nuits-Saint-Georges' most distinguished monopoles under Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier.
What makes this site particularly special is its century-old vines, many approaching 100 years of age. These old vines naturally produce lower yields with greater concentration, giving the wine remarkable depth without sacrificing finesse.
Galeyrand's interpretation is refined rather than powerful. It combines floral aromatics, fine tannins and vibrant freshness with the layered complexity that only mature vines can provide. For a village-level Burgundy, it delivers a level of elegance that rivals many Premier Crus while remaining far more accessible in price.
For Burgundy lovers following the Michelin Grape Selection, Les Retraits offers an opportunity to experience a neighbouring terroir with outstanding value.
Jérôme Galeyrand - Marsannay 'Clos du Roy'
A Historic Vineyard with a Different Expression
Clos du Roy is one of Marsannay's most historic vineyards and has long been recognised for its excellent exposure and ability to produce structured, age-worthy Pinot Noir.
The site consistently produces wines with concentrated red berry fruit, floral perfume and gentle spice.
Many Burgundy enthusiasts are familiar with Sylvain Pataille's celebrated interpretation of Clos du Roy, known for its generous body and broad palate. Jérôme Galeyrand takes a different direction.
His Clos du Roy emphasises finesse over power. The wine is silky, energetic and immediately approachable, while still retaining the concentration and structure expected from this renowned vineyard. It is a style that prioritises elegance and drinkability without losing the vineyard's character.
For drinkers inspired by the Michelin Grape Selection, Galeyrand's Clos du Roy presents another compelling expression of one of Burgundy's benchmark terroirs.
Valéria Naudin - Nuits-Saint-Georges
'La Petite Charmotte'
Beside Charles Lachaux's plot
The La Petite Charmotte vineyard sits immediately next to the celebrated parcel farmed by Charles Lachaux, one of Burgundy's most sought-after winemakers today.
Valéria Naudin follows her own philosophy while allowing the terroir to remain the focus.
Her wine is made with approximately 80% whole-cluster fermentation, compared with Charles Lachaux's typical use of 100%. The result is a wine that feels lighter on its feet, combining lifted aromatics with vibrant red fruit and delicate floral notes.
Made without added sulphur, the wine displays remarkable purity and transparency. Rather than pursuing power, it offers elegance, freshness and precision that make it exceptionally enjoyable to drink.
For those interested in the vineyards highlighted by the Michelin Grape Selection, this is an opportunity to explore the same neighbourhood through a distinctive and highly individual style.
Jean-Pierre Guyon - Vosne-Romanée 'Les Brûlées' Premier Cru
The Same Grand Terroir as Domaine Leroy and Méo-Camuzet
Les Brûlées is one of Vosne-Romanée's finest Premier Cru vineyards and appears in the portfolios of Michelin-recognised producers such as Domaine Leroy and Domaine Méo-Camuzet.
Jean-Pierre Guyon's version stands out not only because of the vineyard, but because of the extraordinary care taken during vinification.
Beginning with the 2021 vintage, Guyon fully adopted his painstaking tri en nuage technique. Instead of removing grapes from the stem in the conventional way, every berry is individually cut away together with its tiny pedicel. This labour-intensive process preserves fruit integrity while reducing harsh stem influence, resulting in exceptionally fine tannins and remarkable purity.
Oak selection is equally meticulous. Rather than relying on heavily toasted barrels that can mask fruit with vanilla or sweet spice, Guyon works with gently toasted barrels and carefully adjusts the proportion of new oak for every cuvée after repeated tastings. The objective is always to preserve the vineyard's natural character.
This philosophy allows even his regional wines to display a level of refinement normally associated with much more expensive bottles.
For this cuvée, the grapes underwent 100% hand sorting, followed by aging in 100% new Tronçais oak, achieving impressive concentration while maintaining balance and elegance.
For collectors who admire Michelin Grape Selection producers, Guyon's Les Brûlées demonstrates that exceptional vineyard expression can also be found outside the most famous labels.
Jean-Pierre Guyon 'Echezeaux' Grand Cru
A Grand Cru with Outstanding Critical Acclaim
Echezeaux Grand Cru is one of the most frequently recognised vineyards among producers featured in the Michelin Grape Selection.
Jean-Pierre Guyon's Echezeaux has also built an outstanding reputation of its own, regularly receiving 95–100 point scores from respected critics.
The wine is appreciated for its purity, perfume and effortless balance. Layers of fresh red fruit, floral notes and spice are supported by silky tannins and remarkable energy. Despite its concentration, the wine remains graceful and exceptionally drinkable, even when young.
For collectors seeking Grand Cru Burgundy that combines world-class quality with better value than many of the region's most famous names, Guyon's Echezeaux deserves serious consideration.
Looking Beyond the Label
The Michelin Grape Selection is an excellent guide to Burgundy's greatest winemakers. However, the vineyard itself often tells as much of the story as the producer.
Many of Wine Journey's growers farm vineyards that sit beside, or share the same historic terroirs as, Michelin-recognised estates. Combined with meticulous farming, thoughtful winemaking and smaller market recognition, these wines frequently deliver exceptional quality at a fraction of the price.
For Burgundy enthusiasts looking beyond the headline names, these bottles represent some of the most rewarding discoveries available today.