Adrien Defaix is the nephew of Didier Defaix of Domaine Bernard Defaix, and his wines are made side by side at the family domaine, following exactly the same methods and standards. The estate itself was founded in 1959 with just two hectares and has since grown to around 27 hectares centred on the village of Milly. Farming is carried out with a strong focus on sustainability and organic principles, with increasing use of biodynamic practices to maintain balance and vitality in the vineyards.
The domaine is the largest landowner in the highly regarded Premier Cru Côte de Lechet, holding around nine hectares on this left-bank site, just north of Vaillons. From here comes a small parcel of “Sélection Vieilles Vignes”, planted in 1955 on a one-hectare plot with a sunny south to south-east exposure. The wine is aged partly in older oak barrels and large demi-muids, and partly in stainless steel, before spending around 18 months in total before bottling. Compared to the regular cuvée, it shows more richness and roundness, combining depth and power with floral finesse and a clear, mineral backbone.
