Domaine Marc Colin: The Essence of Saint-Aubin and Beyond
Domaine Marc Colin is a leading producer of white Burgundy in the Côte de Beaune, based in the relatively under-the-radar village of Saint-Aubin. With vineyard holdings stretching across prestigious names like Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, and even Le Montrachet Grand Cru, the domaine combines mineral precision, subtle winemaking, and exceptional value.
Whether you're looking for age-worthy Premier Crus or elegant Bourgogne Blanc, Marc Colin wines offer crystalline purity, terroir expression, and finesse.
The History of Domaine Marc Colin
Domaine Marc Colin was founded in the late 1970s in the village of Saint-Aubin, nestled between Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune. At that time, Saint-Aubin had not yet achieved the reputation of its more famous neighbors, but Marc Colin recognized the potential of its steep, limestone-rich slopes.
Over the years, the domaine gradually expanded to include around 20 hectares, covering 26 different appellations, with particularly strong holdings in Saint-Aubin, but also prestigious sites in Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, and even a small parcel in Montrachet Grand Cru. This diversity of terroirs laid the foundation for Marc Colin’s identity as a producer of site-expressive, mineral-driven white Burgundies.
Today, the domaine is recognized as one of the key players in Saint-Aubin’s rise to prominence and a benchmark estate for precise, elegant white Burgundy.
Key Appellations of Domaine Marc Colin
· Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly
One of Marc Colin’s signature plot, just above Le Montrachet. Steep, limestone-rich soils give rise to razor-sharp wines with citrus, oyster shell, and intense salinity. A benchmark white from Saint-Aubin.
· Saint-Aubin 1er Cru La Chatenière
A southeast-facing site with poor, stony soils. Produces tightly wound wines with floral notes, herbal lift, and piercing minerality. Slow to develop, but aging brings smoky complexity.
· Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Montceau
A more delicate Premier Cru showing white blossom, orchard fruit, and a refined chalky backbone. A beautifully understated expression of Saint-Aubin.
· Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Murgers des Dents de Chien
High up on the slope near Chevalier-Montrachet, this stony site delivers compact, vertical wines with saline length and striking freshness.
· Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Sentier du Clou
Balanced and expressive, with soft citrus, white flowers, and a rounded mouthfeel. Combines tension and approachability.
· Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru La Garenne
From high-altitude vines in Puligny, this wine shows white peach, crushed stone, and focused acidity. A textbook Puligny with finesse and grip.
· Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes
Rich soils near Le Montrachet result in fleshy yet precise wines. Expect pear, almond, and discreet oak, underpinned by chalky freshness.
· Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées
A Puligny-style Chassagne: lifted and stony with subtle florality, grapefruit pith, and a lean mineral finish.
· Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Champs Gain
Positioned high on the slope, it yields taut, aromatic wines. Jasmine, green citrus, and bright acidity dominate.
· Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Vide-Bourse
Elegant and complete, with Montrachet-like depth. Offers layers of yellow fruit, flint, and long aging potential.
· Puligny-Montrachet Les Truffières
A lieu-dit known for its finesse and subtle earthiness. The name suggests truffle, and indeed the wine has a savory undertone beneath its lemon and white flower profile.
· Le Montrachet Grand Cru
Monumental white Burgundy. Rich, layered, endlessly long. Marc Colin’s rendition balances grandeur with restraint citrus oil, roasted hazelnut, and stony precision.
· Saint-Aubin La Fontenotte
Cooler and wind-sheltered, delivering taut structure and green apple freshness. Focused and linear, ideal for purists.
· Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravières
For whites: full and energetic, with ripe citrus and light spice. For reds: dark cherry, graphite, and savory tannins; a versatile site.
· Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Beaune Blanc
From cooler, higher vineyards; lean and bright with lime, green apple, and chalky edge. Superb value for everyday drinking.
· Bourgogne Côte d’Or Rouge
Lifted Pinot Noir with raspberry, violets, and soft earthy tannins. An elegant introduction to the domaine’s red wine style.
Viticulture & Winemaking Philosophy
Domaine Marc Colin practices sustainable viticulture with a strong commitment to respect for nature and terroir. The team follows a lutte raisonnée approach: avoiding chemical treatments unless absolutely necessary, and favoring biodiversity and soil health. All grapes are harvested by hand to ensure optimal selection and vineyard expression.
In the cellar, the focus is on minimal intervention and transparency. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts, and aging takes place in French oak barrels, typically with 10–25% new oak depending on the cuvée. The goal is to let each vineyard speak clearly, without being masked by winemaking technique.
The wines are aged on their lees for added depth, but without bâtonnage (lees stirring), preserving their natural tension and clarity. Malolactic fermentation is allowed to occur naturally. Fining and filtration are kept to a minimum before bottling, ensuring purity, freshness, and age-worthiness across the range.
Style of the Wines
The hallmark of Marc Colin's wines is transparency. The whites are typically:
- Linear, mineral, and fresh
- Citrus- and stone-fruited rather than tropical
- Subtly textured with judicious oak integration
- Built for aging, especially the Premier Crus and Puligny wines
- Reflective of site — from the raciness of En Remilly to the depth of Chenevottes
The reds are light to medium-bodied with red cherry, floral tones, and fine minerality — ideal for Burgundy purists seeking finesse over power.
The Next Generation
The domaine has remained a family-run operation, transitioning into the hands of Marc Colin’s children. Pierre-Yves Colin, the eldest son, played a significant role in the domaine’s development before launching his own now-legendary label, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, in 2005. He is married to Caroline Morey, daughter of Jean-Marc Morey — another well-known winegrower in Chassagne-Montrachet.
Today, the day-to-day operations at Domaine Marc Colin are led by Damien Colin, who has taken over winemaking and vineyard management. Under his direction, the domaine has refined its style even further — emphasizing precision, purity, and a deeper expression of terroir, particularly in the often-overlooked Premier Crus of Saint-Aubin.
The domaine continues to evolve with each vintage, but remains firmly rooted in its founding philosophy: expressing Burgundy’s finest terroirs with elegance, restraint, and integrity.
Why Buy Wines from Domaine Marc Colin?
- Access to top-tier terroirs (Puligny, Chassagne, Montrachet) at more accessible prices
- Outstanding value in Saint-Aubin and Santenay
- Age-worthy white Burgundy with tension and clarity
- A consistent, terroir-focused style with little winemaking ego
- Ideal for collectors and Burgundy lovers looking for true site expression
Conclusion
Domaine Marc Colin embodies the best of white Burgundy: a respect for terroir, thoughtful winemaking, and vineyards in some of the region’s most exciting zones. From the rocky hillsides of Saint-Aubin to the revered slopes of Le Montrachet, their wines offer clarity, elegance, and aging potential at every level.