Génot-Boulanger – A New Major Player in Meursault

“Génot-Boulanger is an exciting new major player in Meursault,”
– Antonio Galloni

Burgundy is home to some of the most sought-after wines in the world. Wines whose prices, in many cases, have reached stratospheric heights. However, there are still truly outstanding Burgundy wines at more accessible price levels, and the rising stars of Burgundy present exciting opportunities we have not seen before.

We frequently visit the stronghold of the wine elite and forge alliances with promising producers, which also allows us to offer you an investment opportunity like this one.

An investment in a burgeoning white wine category. An investment in an “exciting new” (yet established and well-respected) “major player” in Meursault. And an investment opportunity that comes directly from Génot-Boulanger’s cellar.

We have assembled a 2022 parcel that includes village, premier, and grand cru wines from Génot-Boulanger. The common factors among them all are their very limited production, their highly attractive price points, and the fact that 2022 (according to the estate itself) represents the best vintage in many years. The parcel consists primarily of white Burgundy but is complemented by a red Burgundy grand cru.

Domaine Génot-Boulanger: Burgundy Tradition in Organic Transformation

Domaine Génot-Boulanger is a family-owned Burgundy estate founded in 1974 by Charles-Henri Génot and Marie Boulanger in Meursault, in the heart of Burgundy. They had a vision of building a property that could express the region’s unique terroir and quickly began acquiring vineyards in Mercurey, later expanding into prestigious appellations such as Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet, Beaune, Volnay, and Pommard.

Over the following decades, the estate grew steadily, and in 1998, their grandson François Delaby took over management. Under his leadership, the estate expanded to include 22 hectares of vineyards across 11 villages, including iconic areas such as Puligny-Montrachet, the Corton hill, Chambolle-Musigny, and Clos de Vougeot.

“It is amazing how Génot-Boulanger has come out of nowhere in the last two or three years.”
— Antonio Galloni, 2020, on Domaine Génot-Boulanger

However, the most significant transformation came in 2008, when the fourth generation, Aude Lavollée, along with her husband Guillaume, took over the winery with a vision to modernize production and elevate quality even further. They wanted to work in greater harmony with nature and began a gradual transition to organic farming.

Together with their oenologist, Nicolas Ludwig, they introduced gentler vinification methods, minimizing intervention in the cellar to allow the wine to reflect the character of the soil as precisely as possible—a strong focus on terroir. This approach culminated in years of transition, and in 2018, the entire estate was certified organic, marking a new era for Domaine Génot-Boulanger.

It is very likely these changes in the estate’s philosophy that have truly captured Galloni’s attention—and ours, for that matter.

Under Aude and Guillaume’s leadership, the winery has modernized without losing its connection to its roots. They have invested in a new cellar dedicated to aging magnum formats and created a tasting room where the wines can be experienced in optimal conditions. Today, Domaine Génot-Boulanger stands as a model of how a traditional winery can innovate while maintaining deep respect for nature and an unwavering commitment to quality.

The World’s Best White Wine Is Born in Burgundy, But the Birth Rate Is Low

It is well known by now that we have high expectations for the future of white Burgundy. Not only because France is home to the world’s absolute best white wine producers, but also because very little of it is made.

In 2023, France accounted for approximately 18% of the world’s total wine production. Only about 3% of France’s total wine production comes from Burgundy, and Burgundy represents less than 0.5% of all wine produced globally. And when it comes to investment-grade wines, the field narrows even further.

At RareWine Invest, we focus exclusively on the two out of six sub-regions that make up Burgundy: Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, collectively known as Côte d’Or.

And when it comes to white Burgundy, the focus shifts to Côte de Beaune, whose vineyard area accounts for less than 28% of the total Burgundy vineyard area planted with white grape varieties. So when we say not much white Burgundy is produced, it is actually an understatement.

Furthermore, our international trading platform, RareWine Trading, experiences strong demand for white Burgundy every week (especially at the lower end of the price spectrum). This is why we continuously seek out and acquire wines from promising producers with the right vineyards and philosophy.

Climate change has now become a major issue in Burgundy, leading to even lower yields.

Agricultural Disasters and the Smallest Vintage in a Century

Minimal production is more the rule than the exception when it comes to Burgundy wines—especially for premier and grand cru wines. Additionally, more and more producers are shifting to organic practices, which improves quality but reduces quantity.

The wines in this investment opportunity are all from the 2022 vintage, which was generous in both yield and quality. However…

The surrounding vintages have faced major challenges in terms of volume. The 2021 vintage was labeled the “worst agricultural disaster of the 21st century”, while the upcoming 2024 vintage is expected to be the smallest in a century.

According to William Kelley (Editor-in-Chief at Wine Advocate), climate change is now deeply affecting Burgundy.

And what does that mean for investors?

Many producers are holding back some of their 2023 releases to compensate for the extremely low 2024 vintage. And although 2022 was generous, the scarcity of the 2023 and 2024 vintages will likely increase demand for available wines.

This is your opportunity to invest in the 2022 vintage from Génot-Boulanger. The question is: Will you be one of those in the future who can offer highly sought-after white Burgundy in a category already experiencing significant demand today?

2022 Génot-Boulanger: One of the Best Since 2008

“It [2022] is one of the greatest vintages that I’ve made since 2008…”
 - Guillaume Levollée, Domaine Génot-Boulanger

We have been allocated the following 2022 wines from Génot-Boulanger:

• 24 x 2022 Corton Les Combes Grand Cru (€90 per bottle, Vinous: 94-96)
• 12 x 2022 Meursault Les Bouchères Premier Cru (€90 per bottle, Vinous: 92-94)
• 12 x 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières Premier Cru (€110 per bottle, Vinous: 92-95)
• 12 x 2022 Puligny-Montrachet Les Nosroyes (€50 per bottle, Vinous: 91-93)

Total price: €5,160

2022 Génot-Boulanger Corton Les Combes Grand Cru
€90 per bottle*
Vinous: 94-96

Along with the estate’s Clos de Vougeot, this Corton is one of its two grand crus and flagship wines. “Les Combes” refers to the area where the gorge appears to be carved out of the Corton hill. Génot-Boulanger’s parcel was planted with Pinot Noir in 1983, covers 0.47 ha, and is allowed to produce a maximum equivalent of approximately 2,500 bottles.

The 2022 Les Combes vintage is still new to the market, though it will soon be succeeded by the 2023 vintage. On wine-searcher.com, there are only three options to acquire this particular wine by the full case. The cheapest costs €110 per bottle*, while the most expensive is priced at €216 per bottle*.

Vinous is the only major critic to have reviewed this wine, awarding it a score of 94-96 points—placing it at the very top of what Génot-Boulanger has ever achieved.

If you were to buy this on the open market, you would have to pay at least 22% more than the price available here.

2022 Génot-Boulanger Meursault Les Bouchères Premier Cru
€90 per bottle*
Vinous: 92-94

Génot-Boulanger’s highest-classified Meursault. Les Bouchères is an iconic vineyard characterized by steep slopes and a unique terroir rich in clay and limestone. It is a breeding ground for great Meursault, surpassed in prestige only by Les Perrières and Les Genevrières.

Génot-Boulanger produces from a 0.61 ha parcel planted in 1990, with a maximum permitted production of nearly 4,500 bottles.

Naturally, this means supply is very limited. On wine-searcher.com, there is only one case available at €161 per bottle*. Looking at the 2021 vintage, which received the same Vinous rating, no full cases are available—only single bottles starting at €172*.

2022 Génot-Boulanger Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières Premier Cru
€110 per bottle*
Vinous: 92-95

Les Folatières is arguably one of Puligny-Montrachet’s finest premier crus and certainly one of the most outstanding wines Génot-Boulanger produces from this emblematic white wine commune.

Génot-Boulanger’s parcel measures just 0.35 ha and was planted in the 1970s. It has a maximum annual production of approximately 2,600 bottles.

Once again, the Vinous score reflects a level that surpasses the estate’s previous achievements. This is also evident in the prices. On wine-searcher.com, the cheapest of the three available cases of the 2022 Les Folatières costs €176 per bottle*. Like Les Bouchères, the limited 2021 vintage is only available as single bottles, with the lowest price at €233*.

Through our direct allocation, you save 37.5% compared to the lowest price for full cases on wine-searcher.com.

2022 Génot-Boulanger Puligny-Montrachet Les Nosroyes
€50 per bottle*
Vinous: 91-93

Les Nosroyes is the only village-level wine from this parcel, but make no mistake—this is a top-tier village wine. Les Nosroyes is located just below the highly sought-after Puligny-Montrachet Les Perrières and Les Referts premier cru vineyards, meaning the soil composition here is exceptional—it’s no random vineyard.

Annual production is under 10,000 bottles, with Neal Martin of Vinous describing the wine as:
"There’s not quite the minerality of a premier cru, but ample concentration with a lively, spicy finish. Delicious."

Like the others, supply is extremely limited. The cheapest 2022 bottle in a full case costs €124*, while the lowest-priced option among the three available purchasing opportunities on wine-searcher.com for the 2021 vintage costs €95*.

Beyond its undeniable potential, this will also be an excellent candidate for future personal enjoyment.

RareWine Invest’s Opinion

This is not the first time we have presented an investment case like this—one not driven by data but rather by future potential.

Our vision, focus, and strategy remain rooted in the world’s absolute best wines and leading producers. However, producers like Génot-Boulanger and other rising stars represent new opportunities.

Especially when there is a chance to gain a price advantage like the one you have here—an advantage based on direct allocation. We have strong confidence in white Burgundy as a category, where we see increasing demand but quantities that do not match.