The oldest known ancestor of Dominique Piron, Etienne Bailly, was born around 1590 in Morgon, under the reign of King Henry III, in full wars of religion. 3 centuries of family Bailly and Piron followed one another, producing and selling wine from Gamay to Morgon.
Today, a new story is being written. With know-how, roots and terroirs, Dominique Piron has created a Domain among the leaders of the region.
At Maison Piron, there is no "recipe", but a multitude of possibilities and combinations, depending on the knowledge of the terroirs, the appellation, and the purpose. Grapes of quality that are ripe and representative of their soil, a severe sorting if necessary, a partial destemming depending on the maturity of the stalks, some "pigeages" and pumping over, lengths of fermentation depending on terroirs, appellations, and vintages. Few technical interventions. The major idea is "permanent adaptation to the elements". Piron wines are traditional. They express the soil from which they come from. It is a compromise between the search for the best tannins and the preservation of finesse, elegance and purity. A moderate maturation in barrels brings roundness without being overwhelming.
Starting with the Romans, wine growing has developed since the 3rd century. Dominique Piron’s oldest known ancestor was born in Morgon in 1590. Since then, there have been 14 generations of wine growers in the family. Morgon and Moulin à Vent wines have long been renowned among France’s finest wines.
Dominique Piron
1590 Oldest known ancestor Etienne Bailly, winemaker in Morgon
1950 Born in Côte du Py ; 14th generation in Morgon
1968 University of Dijon
1971 First vintage
1988 First grapes bought in Beaujolais
2003 Chenas with Lameloise
2016 President of the Interbeaujolais Bureau
Julien Revillon
1973 Born in Beaujolais
1997 Master of Wine Trade in Dijon
1998-2004 Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne
2005 Colombo in Rhône Valley
2013 Domaines Piron, Beaujolais
In a vineyard with difficult terrain− 30% steep slopes and a virtual patchwork of parcels, Dominique Piron is engaged in sustainable winegrowing. On winegrowing land filled with old broken-down granite and schist, the watchwords are natural balance and biodiversity.
For vinification, their goal is to create terroir wines, wines of character, that remain fruity, subtle and elegant.
Gamay is the heart and soul of Beaujolais crus.
A cross between the Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc varieties, Gamay was originally imported from Croatia by the Huns in the 4th century. Gamay is a delicate variety and it is either excellent or nothing at all. At any rate, Gamay is a quite remarkable variety because it can either be enjoyed young for its fruitiness and elegance, or allowed to age, developing the structure and mineral qualities so appreciated by connoisseurs.
Morgon, the image of Dominique Piron.
Morgon wines are solid but never hard. They are racy and elegant. They always have a slight hint of black cherry (some would say kirsch, as the wine ages), and bright spicy notes. With their great structure, Morgon wines keep very well. Morgon, a sure value.
Eight other appellations, including Brouilly, Regnié, Fleurie, Chénas, Moulin à Vent, Saint Amour, Beaujolais rouge, rosé and white with the Chardonnay variety.
Domaines Piron, the specialist in Morgon.
A leading Beaujolais enterprise.
An international reputation with wines sold in 30 countries worldwide.
Dominique Piron Beaujolais Morgon Aux Pierres is made from 100% Gamay.
A mineral wine with fine tannins reflecting a perfume of concentrated dark fruits.
A small plot of vines of 85 ares acquired by Dominique Piron's grandfather in 1932. Registered on a place called "Aux Pierres", it is well named due to its blue stones, very typical of the Côte du Py. Year by year, the quality of the harvest has made it an emblematic plot of Piron's family. Elite of the domain, this special cuvee is produce only in case of exceptional vintage. It's a cuvee that can be kept for more than 10 years.
Review:
"This deep and powerful Morgon is just beginning to give its best. The spicy oak is there, but well integrated with the plum and blackberry fruit. Very good balance on the generous front palate, but at the back the richness makes a bold statement and the tannins just hold it in check. With a shade less ripeness this would be even more impressive. Drink or hold.
- James Suckling (April 2021), 92 pts
Dominique Piron Morgon Cote du Py is made from 100 percent Gamay.
The Morgon Cru is based in the heart of Northern Beaujolais. Côte du Py is the heart of Morgon, a little hill of very old blue stone rocks - the oldest soils of Beaujolais (around 430 millions years old), with a typical blue color.
Côte du Py has been known for centuries for being the best terroir of the village, producing long lived wines with strong structure and flavors.
Wines of the Côte du Py are very dark, profound and dense. Classic aromas of red berries, cherry, kirsh. Fruity, structured and mineral in the mouth with graphite flavors and spicy notes of black and white pepper. Wine can age up to 10 years.
Hand picked grapes are sorted manually and destemmed for 50 to 70%. Fermentation starts in concrete tanks and lasts for 18-25 days with remontages and pigeages. Then after pressurage starts the aging, for 2/3 in concrete tanks, and 1/3 in recent French oak barrels with batonages on fine lies only. After 10 month we do the blending, keeping only the best cuvees and best barrels, and do the bottling.
Pairs well with red meat like beef, duck and game (Hare, Dear, Wild Pork,…), cheses.
Dominique Piron Morgon Cote du Py is made from 100 percent Gamay.
The Morgon Cru is based in the heart of Northern Beaujolais. Côte du Py is the heart of Morgon, a little hill of very old blue stone rocks - the oldest soils of Beaujolais (around 430 millions years old), with a typical blue color.
Côte du Py has been known for centuries for being the best terroir of the village, producing long lived wines with strong structure and flavors.
Wines of the Côte du Py are very dark, profound and dense. Classic aromas of red berries, cherry, kirsh. Fruity, structured and mineral in the mouth with graphite flavors and spicy notes of black and white pepper. Wine can age up to 10 years.
Hand picked grapes are sorted manually and destemmed for 50 to 70%. Fermentation starts in concrete tanks and lasts for 18-25 days with remontages and pigeages. Then after pressurage starts the aging, for 2/3 in concrete tanks, and 1/3 in recent French oak barrels with batonages on fine lies only. After 10 month we do the blending, keeping only the best cuvees and best barrels, and do the bottling.
Pairs well with red meat like beef, duck and game (Hare, Dear, Wild Pork,…), cheses.
All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Argot Bastard Tongue Pinot Noir is made from 100 percent Sonoma Pinot Noir.
Inheriting an unbroken string of success, the “Bastard Tongue” arrives fully-formed and ready to impress. Always a blend from multiple Pinot Noir vineyards, this iteration of “BT” was selected from three distinct sites, each making their own unique contribution of Sonoma County terroir to the wine’s character.
Exploding forth on a tidal wave of high-toned, intense red and black fruits, this is a Pinot Noir that no stemware can contain. The palate’s profound depth is balanced by an inherent freshness, allowing the wine to crackle with brambly energy, while sustained by bass notes of underbrush, black tea, pie spice and baker’s chocolate. A formidable rendition of “Bastard Tongue”, and a deserving successor to its line.
Night harvested by hand throughout September, cluster and berry sorted by hand, de-stemmed, no crushing. 7-day cold soaks, followed by native fermentation in open-top bins. Average time on the skins, 14 days. Aging 20 months in French oak, 100% new. Never racked prior to bottling. Bottled unfined, unfiltered.
Very versatile for pairing. Goes well with grilled meat, vegetable, fish, poultry and cheese.
Review:
"The 2022 'Bastard Tongue' Pinot Noir from Argot is utterly mind-blowing. It immediately draws you in with its seductive aromatic of fresh black raspberries, wild strawberries and even a touch of blueberry all woven together with sweet spices, cinnamon, crushed violets and earthy undertones. On the palate, the wine is both rich and graceful, with a lively acidity that elevates the sweet red fruit notes of red currant and black raspberries. Fine, polished tannins provide a round, silky texture that leads into a supple finish that lingers with sweet berries and sweet spices. This Pinot Noir offers a beautiful balance of elegance and complexity, drinking beautifully now, with a depth that promises further enjoyment. This is one of the most delicious bottles of Pinot Noir I can recall." - 98 Points, International Wine Report