Domaine Henri Jayer
Burgundy
Address:
Vosne-Romanée, France (No public winery address as the domaine is no longer operational), Burgundy, Burgundy, France
Website:
Winemaker:
Henri Jayer passed away in 2006, and since then, the vineyards have been managed by other parties. The Jayer family no longer makes wine under the Domaine Henri Jayer label. The closest continuation of his winemaking legacy would be his nephew, Emmanuel Rouget, who took over many of his vineyards and practices. However, Emmanuel is not officially the winemaker for Domaine Henri Jayer as it had ceased its own production by the time of Henri Jayer's passing.
First Vintage:
1951
PRESTIGE
5
Summary
Where Burgundian winemaking reached its zenith, Domaine Henri Jayer remains the most revered name in Côte de Nuits history, despite ceasing production in 2006. This legendary 6-hectare estate in Vosne-Romanée transformed not just Burgundy, but global perceptions of what Pinot Noir could achieve through revolutionary techniques and unwavering quality obsession.
Henri Jayer's story began with vision where others saw waste. In 1951, he acquired the abandoned Cros Parantoux vineyard, a marginal 1.01-hectare plot dismissed by Burgundy's elite. Through meticulous soil analysis, radical canopy management, and unprecedented attention to detail, Jayer transformed this overlooked terroir into one of Burgundy's most coveted sites. His philosophy centered on minimal intervention winemaking: natural fermentation, extended cold maceration, and aging in precisely toasted Vosges oak barrels. Every decision served terroir expression over winemaker ego, establishing principles that define modern Burgundy.
Jayer's wines commanded stratospheric prices during his lifetime, with Cros Parantoux achieving cult status alongside holdings in Échezeaux, Richebourg, and Nuits-Saint-Georges. His revolutionary techniques—100% destemming, cold pre-fermentation maceration, and minimal sulfur use—produced wines of extraordinary purity and longevity. Critics consistently awarded perfect scores to releases like the 1985 Cros Parantoux, now trading for tens of thousands per bottle. Production remained deliberately tiny, with Cros Parantoux yielding fewer than 300 cases annually. These investment-grade Burgundies represent the pinnacle of collectible wine, with auction prices appreciating exponentially since Jayer's passing.
No traditional tasting room experience exists, as the domaine ceased operations following Henri's death in 2006. The Cros Parantoux vineyard now belongs to nephew Emmanuel Rouget, who continues Jayer's legacy under his own label. However, original Domaine Henri Jayer bottles remain accessible through exclusive wine auctions and premier négociant allocations. Serious collectors arrange private tastings through specialized Burgundy brokers, often requiring substantial advance notice and significant investment commitments.
For connoisseurs seeking wine history's most influential bottles, Domaine Henri Jayer represents the ultimate acquisition. Contact The En Primeur Club's Burgundy specialists to access rare library releases and auction opportunities from this legendary estate.
