Domaine Jayer-Gilles was run by the very talented Gilles Jayer, who took over from his father Robert Jayer-Gilles in 1998.
Domaine Jayer-Gilles was acquired in 2017 and is now called Domaine Hoffmann-Jayer.
Located in Magny-les-Villers, a few kilometers from Santenay, Domaine Jayer-Gilles produces some of the most sought-after Hautes-Côtes de Nuits and Hautes Côtes de Beaune.
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune and Nuits are two contiguous wine regions. The wines from here have for many years stood in the shadow of the better known and better exposed appellations in the Côtes de Nuits.
But there is an alternative – Domaine Jayer-Gilles, from which impressive white wine as well as red wine is made from both areas.
Jayer-Gilles is praised by several wine writers for the high quality that has given the 1st Crus from Côtes de Nuits and Beaune rear wheels for several years. Gilles Jayer belongs to the type that spends as many resources on the Aliogoté as on the more recognized appellations.
The wines from Domaine Jayer-Gilles are referred to by Robert Parker as "benchmark wines", i.e. wines whose high quality the area could learn a lot from. The key words of heir Gilles Jayer are very low yields from old vines and a good shot of new oak from the storage in 228 liter barriques.
Their Pinot Noir red wines are aged consistently for 18 months in 100% new oak. Aligoté gets one year in cement tanks, while the other white wines are aged for one year in 50-70% new oak. And the dish integrates perfectly into the fantastic grape material, which is laid to rest year after year in the cool cellars.
The pronounced use of new oak in the domain's wines naturally has opponents as well as supporters. Opponents, with the traditional winegrowers on one side, contest that the fragile nature of the Pinot Noir grape and the terroir of the area are drowned out by the heavy aging in barrels.
The fans of the domain's wines love them unconditionally for their more generous and opulent style. And there are plenty of followers! Domaine Jayer Gilles wines are in demand by collectors worldwide, including France's many Michelin restaurants, which take pride in representing the cult winemaker on the wine list.
There are many with the name Jayer who make wine in Burgundy, but Gilles Jayer is considered to be one of the best.
