2022 La Pierre Ronde (Antoine Lepetit de la Bigne), Rully, Fromange

La Pierre Ronde is a newcomer, both to Manhattan Wine Company and to the scene as a whole. Founder Antoine Lepetit de la Bigne spent almost 10 years at Domaine Leflaive helping them to implement and refine their biodynamic viticulture processes. He also notably founded l’Ecole Du Vin et des Terroirs alongside Anne Claude Leflaive, which works to educate Burgundy producers on a broad array of subjects involving vinification. He left Domaine Leflaive after Anne Claude passed in 2015 to found La Pierre Ronde, originally as a biodynamic consultancy and later in 2021 as a negociant.
 
Antoine’s Rully Fromange is a standout from his lineup. The vineyard is located towards the top of the Cru, with shallow white soil, a strong northern wind, and a tendency to ripen later just a stone’s throw from Mercurey. The Fromange is fermented and aged entirely in barrel – given that the fruit and concentration is more substantial here, Antoine employs 60% new oak which is done well and does a great job framing this wine. With lovely salinity, intense freshness, and generous orchard fruit, it is drinking well and just asking to be paired alongside a perfectly roasted chicken or a creamy fish dish.