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 quest for independence. Born into a family of winegrowers from Nuits-Saint-Georges, Yann grew up among the vines, steeped in the knowledge passed down by his great-grandfather, grandfather and father. At the age of 13, he began vinifying his first vintage solo, revealing a precocious talent and 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, an encounter 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 art on prestigious parcels such as Clos-de-Bèze. Roch, whom he considers a father figure, transmitted to him a philosophy focused on terroir and natural winemaking, values that would become the foundation of his identity as a winemaker. In 2010, driven by the desire to fly on his own, Yann took over the 3 hectares of family vines in Messanges, in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, and founded Recrue des Sens. This return to his roots, initially dictated by financial constraints, quickly established itself as an artistic and personal calling.

Refusing the constraints of traditional appellations, Yann chooses to declassify his wines as "Vin de France", a bold decision that reflects his free spirit and rejection of established norms. Over the years, he expanded his estate to 15 hectares, meticulously selecting parcels in the Hautes-Côtes and 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 Vineyards 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 extends across steep hillsides, reaching altitudes of 500 meters. The soils, primarily composed of limestone and clay, are remarkably fine: sometimes reduced to just 10 or 20 cm in depth, they force the vine roots to plunge deep into the bedrock, giving the wines a cutting minerality and natural concentration.

Yann carefully cultivates a mosaic of typically Burgundian grape varieties: Pinot Noir, king of reds, Chardonnay, master of whites, and Aligoté, an often underestimated grape that he sublimely elevates. A few rows of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc complete this array. Among the emblematic parcels, Les Dames Huguettes, a family heritage delimited by his grandfather, stands out for its limestone plateau exposed at 500 meters, producing grapes of quality worthy of the premier crus of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Another treasure, the terroir of Abbaye Saint-Vivant, where Aligoté and Chardonnay vines thrive on poor, well-drained soils, offering wines of rare intensity.

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

Winemaking by Yann Durieux - Domaine Recrue des Sens

Winemaking at Yann Durieux is an act of faith in nature, guided by a minimalist approach and 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 manually, preserve whole clusters, a method that intensifies fruity aromas and structures the tannins in the reds. Fermentations, spontaneous thanks to indigenous yeasts, proceed without chaptalization or additives, except for a tiny touch of sulfur at bottling for certain cuvées, depending on the vintage's needs.

For reds and orange wines, Yann practices extended macerations, sometimes up to a month, with gentle pigeage performed by foot, a ritual that allows him to stay connected to the must's evolution. Aging varies according to the intention of each wine: cuvées meant 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 brilliant freshness. Age-worthy wines, such as "Jeannot" or "DH Rouge", benefit from 24 months in barrels, sometimes new, to develop a density and complexity that flourish with time. By avoiding racking, he lets the lees naturally nourish and protect the wine against oxidation.

This low-intervention process, combined with impeccably quality grapes from microscopic yields, gives birth to wines of crystalline clarity, vibrating with energy and striking aromatic precision. By choosing to produce "Vin de France" rather than classic appellations, Yann Durieux frees himself from Burgundian conventions to offer free, authentic creations of rare intensity, rivaling 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 Yann Durieux's singular vision. 

White Wines

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

Love and Pif: Fresh and gourmet 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, blending 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 unique vibrancy.

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

Orange Wines

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

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

Les Beurots: Pinot Gris with maceration, produced in half-barrel, rare, concentrated and captivating in aromatic richness.

Red Wines

Les Ponts: Original blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, aged in tank, fresh, fruity and perfect for casual drinking.

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

Black Pinot: Tank-aged version of Les 1er Ponts, pure and without wood influence, highlighting the fruit and finesse.

Tête de Ponts: New barrel experiment from Les 1er Ponts, robust and built for long aging.

Les Grands Ponts: Rich Pinot Noir from a small parcel parallel to the Côte, aged 24 months in barrel, deep and structured.

DH Rouge - Les Dames Huguettes Rouge: Emblematic Pinot Noir from Les Dames Huguettes, aged 24 months in barrel, of exceptional finesse and intensity.

Jeannot: Flagship cuvée of Les Dames Huguettes, tribute to Yann's grandfather, aged 24 months in barrel, complex, refined and in perfect harmony.

GC - Gevrey Chambertin: Organic négociant Pinot Noir, aged 24 months in barrel, powerful, 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 impressively dense.

Picolnax: Blend of red press wines, fruity, bold and born from a fiscal constraint in 2013.

PTG: Blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay from century-old vines, aged in tank, fresh, digestible and full of character.

Night Cost: Pinot Noir from Côte de Nuits Village, aged in tank, aromatic, smooth and remarkably refined.

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

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

La Gouzotte: Pinot Noir from Hautes-Côtes, aged 18 months in tank, fresh, concentrated and naturally pure.

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 emblematic Burgundy estates that share this passion for terroir and winemaking excellence. Explore the treasures of Prieuré Roch, the birthplace of Yann Durieux's apprenticeship, 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, don't miss the mythical wines of Lalou Bize Leroy, an absolute reference in Burgundy.

Yann Durieux and his Domaine Recrue des Sens are redrawing the contours of Burgundian viticulture with rare audacity and authenticity. By relying on the little-known terroirs of the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, uncompromising biodynamic viticulture and minimalist winemaking, this exceptional winemaker brings to life wines that captivate with their purity, elegance and vibrant energy. Far from prestigious appellations, his "Vin de France" rise to the rank of the greatest crus, carried by a philosophy that celebrates terroir and nature. Whether you are seduced by 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!