Yann Durieux - Recrue des Sens

The Story of Yann Durieux - Domaine Recrue des Sens

The story of Domaine Recrue des Sens is intimately linked to that of Yann Durieux, a winemaker whose journey combines family heritage and a quest for independence. Born into a family of winemakers from Nuits-Saint-Georges, Yann grew up surrounded by vines, nurtured by the knowledge passed down by his great-grandfather, his grandfather and his father. At just 13 years of age, he produced his first vintage entirely on his own, revealing an early talent and a visceral passion for wine. But far from being content with the conventional practices of the time, Yann aspired to a more respectful approach to the land, influenced by his early experiences at Clos des Vignes du Maynes, where he discovered biodynamics under the guidance of Julien Guillot.

In 1999, a meeting marked a decisive turning point: that with Henry-Frédéric Roch, co-manager of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and emblematic figure of Prieuré Roch. Under his mentorship, Yann spent ten years as head of viticulture at domaine Prieuré Roch, refining his craft on prestigious plots such as Clos-de-Bèze. Roch, whom he considers a father figure, passed on to him a philosophy centred on terroir and natural winemaking, values that would become the foundation of his identity as a winemaker. In 2010, driven by the desire to strike out on his own, Yann took over the 3 hectares of family vines at Messanges, in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, and founded Recrue des Sens. This return to his roots, initially dictated by financial constraints, quickly asserted itself as an artistic and personal necessity.

Rejecting the constraints of traditional appellations, Yann chooses to downgrade his wines to "Vin de France", a bold decision that reflects his free spirit and his rejection of established norms. Over the years, he has expanded his estate to 15 hectares, meticulously selecting plots in the Hautes-Côtes and the Côte de Nuits to fully express the diversity of Burgundian terroirs. Today, Yann Durieux is hailed as a pioneer of natural wines, a perfectionist craftsman whose raw talent and revolutionary vision are redefining viticulture in Burgundy.

Terroirs and Vines of Yann Durieux - Domaine Recrue des Sens

Domaine Recrue des Sens draws its strength from the unique terroirs of the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, a region often overshadowed by the grand crus of the Côte d'Or, but whose exceptional potential Yann Durieux reveals. Located near the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the vineyard stretches across steep hillsides at altitudes reaching 500 metres. The soils, mainly composed of limestone and clay, are remarkably fine: sometimes reduced to just 10 or 20 cm in thickness, they force the vine roots to plunge deep into the bedrock, conferring on the wines a sharp minerality and a natural concentration.

Yann carefully cultivates a mosaic of typically Burgundian grape varieties: pinot noir, king of the reds; chardonnay, master of the whites; and aligoté, an often underestimated variety that he elevates with great skill. A few rows of pinot gris and pinot blanc complete this range. Among the iconic plots, Les Dames Huguettes, a family heritage delimited by his grandfather, stands out for its limestone plateau exposed at 500 metres, producing grapes of a quality worthy of the premiers crus of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Another treasure is the terroir of Abbaye Saint-Vivant, where aligoté and chardonnay vines thrive on poor, well-drained soils, yielding wines of rare intensity.

A fervent advocate of biodynamics, Yann works his 15 hectares without any chemical products, favouring herbal teas and plant-based remedies to care for the vines. He innovates with a "ponts" training method, weaving the shoots together rather than pruning them, a technique that preserves the energy of the plants and limits human intervention. With deliberately low yields (5 to 10 hl/ha), he favours quality over quantity, producing grapes of unparalleled purity and aromatic richness. This marriage of exceptional terroirs and respectful viticulture makes Recrue des Sens a model of harmony between man and nature.

Winemaking of Yann Durieux - Domaine Recrue des Sens

Winemaking at Yann Durieux's is an act of faith in nature, guided by a minimalist approach and an absolute respect for the grape. In his cellar in Villers-la-Faye, he follows a golden rule: "nothing added, nothing removed". The harvests, carried out by hand, keep the bunches whole, a method that intensifies the fruity aromas and structures the tannins of the reds. The fermentations, spontaneous thanks to indigenous yeasts, proceed without chaptalization or additives, with the exception of a minute touch of sulphur at bottling for certain cuvées, according to the needs of the vintage.

For the reds and orange wines, Yann carries out extended macerations, sometimes for up to a month, with a gentle foot treading, a ritual that allows him to remain connected to the evolution of the must. Ageing varies according to the intention of each wine: cuvées intended to be drunk young, such as "Love and Pif" or "Les Ponts", spend between 12 and 18 months in stainless steel tanks to preserve their vibrant freshness. Wines for ageing, such as "Jeannot" or "DH Rouge", benefit from 24 months in barrels, sometimes new, to develop a density and complexity that blossom over time. By avoiding racking, he allows the lees to naturally nourish and protect the wine against oxidation.

This minimally interventionist process, combined with grapes of impeccable quality from microscopic yields, gives birth to wines of crystalline clarity, vibrant with energy and of a striking aromatic precision. By choosing to produce "Vin de France" rather than classic appellations, Yann Durieux breaks free from Burgundian conventions to offer creations that are free, authentic and of a rare intensity, rivalling the greatest names in the region.

The Cuvées of Yann Durieux - Domaine Recrue des Sens

Domaine Recrue des Sens unveils a range of cuvées as rich as it is varied, each bearing the imprint of the terroir and the singular vision of Yann Durieux. 

White Wines

DH Blanc - Les Dames Huguettes Blanc: High-altitude Chardonnay (500 m) on a limestone plateau, aged 24 months in barrel. Mineral, full-bodied and with an enveloping texture.

Love and Pif: Fresh and indulgent aligoté, vinified in tank without filtration or fining, a wine of immediate pleasure with citrus notes.

Manon: Chardonnay named after Yann's daughter, aged 24 months in barrel, combining power, finesse and an elegant floral touch.

White Pinot Why Not: Rare pinot blanc, produced in a single barrel near a forest, aged 24 months in barrel, subtle and marked by its wild terroir.

Les Ponts Blancs: Aligoté with three weeks of skin maceration, aged in tank, offering a silky texture and a unique vivacity.

Canonique: Aligoté from old vines on clay-limestone soils, aged two years in barrels, structured and of rare complexity.

Orange Wines

Les Ponts Blancs: Aligoté vinified like a red wine with tank maceration, bold and vibrant, with notes of orange peel.

Les Grands Ponts Blancs: Micro-plot of aligoté beneath Les Grands Ponts, macerated for 21 days and aged in tank, intense and deep, with a beautiful tension.

Les Beurots: Pinot gris with skin maceration, produced in a demi-barrel, rare, concentrated and of a captivating aromatic richness.

Red Wines

Les Ponts: An original blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, aged in tank, fresh, fruity and perfect for a relaxed tasting.

Les 1er Ponts: Elegant pinot noir from Abbaye Saint-Vivant, aged 24 months in barrel, well-balanced with aromas of red fruits and spices.

Black Pinot: Tank-aged version of Les 1er Ponts, pure and uninfluenced by wood, highlighting the fruit and finesse.

Tête de Ponts: An experiment in new oak barrels using the Les 1er Ponts fruit, robust and built for long ageing.

Les Grands Ponts: Rich pinot noir from a small plot running parallel to the Côte, aged 24 months in barrel, deep and structured.

DH Rouge - Les Dames Huguettes Rouge: Iconic pinot noir from Les Dames Huguettes, aged 24 months in barrel, of exceptional finesse and intensity.

Jeannot: The flagship cuvée of Les Dames Huguettes, a tribute to Yann's grandfather, aged 24 months in barrel, complex, refined and perfectly harmonious.

GC - Gevrey-Chambertin: Organic négociant pinot noir, aged 24 months in barrel, powerful and elegant, with notes of rose and pepper.

BT - Les Boutières: Pinot noir from Savigny-les-Beaune on deep soils, aged 24 months in barrel, concentrated, rare and of impressive density.

Picolnax: A blend of red press wines, fruity, bold and born of a tax constraint in 2013.

PTG: A blend of pinot noir and gamay from century-old vines, aged in tank, fresh, easy-drinking and full of character.

Night Cost: Pinot noir from Côte de Nuits Village, aged in tank, aromatic, supple and remarkably fine.

CR: Pinot noir from Chorey-les-Beaune, long maceration and tank ageing, deep, fresh and complex.

PV: Chardonnay declassified as Vin de France, from Pernand-Vergelesses, aged 24 months in barrel, full-bodied, fruity and mineral.

La Gouzotte: Pinot noir from the Hautes-Côtes, aged 18 months in tank, fresh, concentrated and of natural purity.

LDX: Pinot noir from Ladoix-Serrigny, extended maceration, aged 12 to 24 months in tank, structured and expressive.

If you are captivated by the world of natural and exceptional wines from Domaine Recrue des Sens, be sure to discover other iconic Burgundian estates that share this passion for terroir and winemaking excellence. Explore the treasures of Prieuré Roch, where Yann Durieux first learned his craft, or immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Arnoux Lachaux and Auvenay. Let yourself be tempted by the bold creations of Bastian Wolber, the finesse of Cécile Tremblay, or the legendary power of Coche Dury. For lovers of exceptional pinot noir, Dujac, Duroché, Emmanuel Rouget, Georges Roumier, Jacques Frédéric Mugnier and Jean Yves Bizot offer unique experiences. Finally, do not miss the mythical wines of Lalou Bize Leroy, an absolute benchmark in Burgundy. 

Yann Durieux and his Domaine Recrue des Sens are reshaping the contours of Burgundian viticulture with rare boldness and authenticity. Drawing on the lesser-known terroirs of the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, an uncompromising biodynamic viticulture and a minimalist winemaking approach, this exceptional winemaker brings to life wines that captivate through their purity, elegance and vibrant energy. Far from prestigious appellations, his "Vin de France" wines rise to the level of the greatest crus, driven by a philosophy that celebrates terroir and nature. Whether you are drawn to the freshness of a "Love and Pif", the depth of a "Jeannot" or the power of a "GC", Recrue des Sens offers an unforgettable tasting experience!