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Serious Burgundy, Serious Value | Domaine Gerard Julien

by Hugh French | Jun 12, 2026

Etienne Julien is one of Burgundy’s recent rising stars. Located in the “off the radar” village of Comblanchien on the RN974 between Beaune and Nuits-Saint-Georges, a village once more famous for its natural stone, but increasingly being known today for its excellent wines.

Etienne’s family settled there over 140 years ago, when François Xavier Julien purchased his first vineyards. After the 2nd World War, François’ grandson Armand began acquiring more vineyards and the Domaine has now expanded to 10.5 hectares with parcels including Cote de Nuits Villages (coming entirely from the family’s historic vineyards in the southern part of Comblanchien – between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Aloxe-Corton) , Aloxe-Corton, 3 parcels of Nuits-Saint-Georges including the 1er Cru Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru ’Bousselots’, and a nice parcel of Grand Cru Echezeaux.

In 2012, Etienne (the 5th generation of the Julien family) took over the Domaine, previously run by his father Gerard using decidedly old-school principles. Étienne belongs to the sizeable group of young growers who upon taking over their family domaine bring modern ideas and energy. He moved the Domaine to the use of organic practices, reduced yields and cut out the use of chemicals from the vineyard work. His meticulous cellar work follows his precise vineyard work, resulting in transparent, clean wines which taste wonderful from barrel to bottle.

Etienne has already proved himself as a talented, highly skilled wine grower, and when combined with his personal, self-assured character and sense of humour, his future as well as the future of his Domaine is bright.

SHOP GERARD JULIEN

2023 Cote de Nuits-Villages Rouge

Usually $84

NOW $70

89-91 Points

Outstanding

"A fresh, bright and distinctly earthy nose reflects ample floral influence on the mostly red berry-suffused aromas. The supple, rich and nicely voluminous medium-bodied flavors display fine length on the youthfully austere and well-balanced finale. This too could use better depth but that should just be a matter of exercising some patience."

Allen Meadows, Burghound

2023 Cote de Nuits-Villages Rouge 'Les Essards'

Usually $94

NOW $80

88-90 Points

"A discreet application of wood is present on the slightly riper aromas of various dark berries, newly turned earth and a whiff of forest floor character. The mouthfeel of the medium-bodied flavors isn't as dense but it's finer which contrasts somewhat with the mildly rustic if lingering finish..."

Allen Meadows, Burghound

2023 Cote de Nuits-Villages Rouge 'Armand'

Usually $94

NOW $80

89-91 Points

Outstanding, Top Value

"A somber, even brooding, nose grudgingly offers off up its array of black cherry, poached plum and prominent earth influence that can also be found on the sleek, vibrant and moderately dense middle weight flavors that conclude in a balanced and lingering finale. Pretty as this is, it could use better depth so a few years of keeping should prove helpful."

Allen Meadows, Burghound

2023 Aloxe-Corton 'Les Valozieres'

Usually $154

NOW $130

89-91 Points

Outstanding, Top Value

"An overtly floral-suffused nose is distinctly cooler with fruit that derives more from the red side of the spectrum along with prominent sauvage and earth elements. I like the texture of the acceptably concentrated medium weight flavors that flash evident minerality on the precise, rustic and lingering finish where a touch of warmth slowly emerges. This is really quite good, especially for a terroir that tends to produce fruit that is underripe in cool vintages and rot-tinged when in warmer years. This threads that difficult needle quite well."

Allen Meadows, Burghound

2023 Nuits-Saint-Georges

Usually $154

NOW $130

Also available in 1.5L Magnum

Usually $309

NOW $260

89-91 Points

Outstanding

Allen Meadows, Burghound

2023 Nuits-Saint-Georges 'Aux Saints Julien'

Usually $229

NOW $195

89-92 Points

Outstanding Top value

"Here too the wood treatment is subtle though not invisible with its blend of pretty floral, earth and softly spicy red currant-scented nose. The sleek, intense and well-detailed middle weight flavors are slightly finer though even so there is a touch of rusticity on the balanced and impressively persistent finish. Once again this well-balanced effort could use better depth but overall, this is an excellent Nuits villages and worth checking out."

Allen Meadows, Burghound

2023 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru 'Les Bousselots'

Usually $229

NOW $195

91-93 Points

Outstanding

"A more elegant and slightly cooler mix features airy red and dark cherry aromas nuanced by hints of violet, earth and wet stone. The more refined and succulent if decidedly punchy larger-bodied flavors flash evident minerality on the firm, youthfully austere and well-balanced finale. This is pretty much textbook Bousselots."

Allen Meadows, Burghound

2023 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Usually $600

NOW $495

94 Points

"Etienne Julien’s Echezeaux shows a medium depth of crimson colour. There is significant energy here, the fruit starting well on the palate and building with just a little toastiness behind. 40% whole bunch vinification informs the style of the wine, with a crunchy finish plus toast and coffee."

Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

91-94 Points

"An exuberantly spicy nose is comprised by notes of plum, black raspberry, tea, floral and discreet oak. The moderately concentrated yet still quite powerful medium weight plus flavors possess a velvety, round and seductive texture that contrasts somewhat with the firm, serious and youthfully austere finale. Not surprisingly, this is going to need at least mid-term keeping."

Allen Meadows, Burghound