Janots & Bos
Meursault, Burgundy
Availability:
SA, VIC, NSW & TAS
Frenchman Thierry Janots and Dutchman Richard Bos established their domaine in Meursault in 2005, bringing together Thierry’s deep technical experience in some of Burgundy’s great cellars with Richard’s storied history in hospitality, deep passion for the wines of the region and commercial nouse.
Thierry’s winemaking career took him through an impressive selection of respected Burgundy estates, including Joseph Drouhin, Louis Latour and Domaine des Comtes Lafon. Richard’s route was rather less conventional, working at Nijmegen institution ‘Café Samson’ from 16, eventually becoming a co-owner, before travelling extensively and working in hospitality in Australia. His fascination with wine eventually led him to the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, where he and Thierry first met.
There is an appealing confidence to Janots & Bos. They describe themselves, without hesitation, as “two excellent winemakers” with a passion for the Côte d’Or, and their stated objective is simply “quality”. It is not false modesty. They have a deep trust in the fact that Burgundy is one of the world’s great places for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but are clear that terroir alone does not make great wines. The conditions may be there, but, in their words, “it’s up to us, the winemakers, to make it happen.”
That conviction runs through the wines. Working with growers across the Côte de Beaune, Janots & Bos focus on the great white-wine villages of Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet and Saint-Aubin, alongside wines from Santenay, Pernand-Vergelesses and the Mâconnais. They know the vineyards intimately, maintaining close relationships with the growers and following the fruit throughout the season. For Richard in particular, there is no substitute for being in the vineyard if you intend to make wines of this magnitude.
In the cellar, the philosophy is equally direct. Additions and “unnecessary manipulation” are avoided, favouring spontaneous fermentation and élevage in oak. Their aim is not to impose a house style, but to make wines that are expressive of their source, and rounded out with clarity, freshness and precision.
Nearly two decades into this grand experience, their partnership continues with a shared vision for their wines and region. Thierry brings technical rigour and instinct; Richard brings the perspective of an outsider who chose Burgundy rather than simply inheriting it. Together they have built a small Meursault négociant with an clear sense of purpose, they make no apology for setting the bar high. In Burgundy, they believe, the ingredients are already there. The job is to make them count.
2024 Bourgogne Blanc
This Bourgogne Blanc draws fruit from two exceptional Côte de Beaune villages, with ‘Les Pellans’ in Meursault and ‘Champ Perrièrs’ in Puligny-Montrachet bringing both richness and mineral definition. It is a beautifully precise expression of Bourgogne Blanc, combining fresh citrus and orchard fruit with the subtle texture and savoury complexity of careful élevage.
Winemaking
The wine is aged for approximately eight to nine months in small oak barrels, with very little new oak used. The restrained use of oak allows the purity of the fruit and the natural minerality of the sites to remain at the forefront.
Tasting Note
Fresh and clean on the nose, with Granny Smith apple, orange and tangerine alongside mineral notes, subtle vanilla and a gentle hint of butter. The palate is pure and rounded, with mild acidity providing freshness beneath the fruit and mineral undertones. The finish is clean and lively, making this an especially versatile white for seafood and other lighter dishes.
2025 Mâcon Vergisson
From the higher-altitude vineyards of Vergisson in the Mâconnais, this Mâcon-Vergisson offers a more lifted and mineral expression of Chardonnay. Stone fruit, floral detail and a subtle savoury edge give the wine plenty of character, while freshness and texture keep it precise and energetic.
Winemaking
The fruit comes from several vineyards in the higher-altitude parts of Vergisson. The wine is made to preserve the natural freshness and mineral character of the sites, allowing the concentration of the fruit to carry through without sacrificing balance.
Tasting Note
Stone fruit and lemon blossom lead on the nose, with a subtle hint of butter. The palate is full-flavoured and textured, showing ripe stone fruit, almond and caramel alongside a gently smoky character and a distinct mineral undertone. Fresh acidity gives the wine energy, while the long, powerful finish carries through to peach and a pleasing, gently bitter note that adds definition.
2024 Pouilly-Fuissé
Under the Roche de Vergisson, the vineyard of ‘Trémis’ sits at higher elevation with a west-facing aspect, producing a Pouilly-Fuissé with energy, elegance and plenty of depth without becoming overly rich. It is a beautifully balanced expression of the appellation, combining ripe fruit and texture with the salty minerality and freshness that give the wine its character.
Winemaking
The fruit comes from the higher-elevation ‘Trémis’ vineyard around Vergisson. The elevated, west-facing site contributes freshness and vibrancy, allowing the wine to retain its structure and mineral drive despite its full-bodied character.
Tasting Note
Rich and expressive on the nose, with mango, apricot and tangerine alongside subtle flint and a distinctly salty mineral character. The palate is full-bodied and beautifully structured, with a gentle buttery richness balanced by lively freshness and fine mineral tension. The finish is long and persistent, with the minerality coming to the fore. Generous without being heavy, this is a particularly complete Pouilly-Fuissé.
2024 Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru ‘Aux Quarts’
From the Premier Cru ‘Aux Quarts’ vineyard, this is a precise and finely structured expression of Pouilly-Fuissé, showing the depth and mineral character that distinguish the site. The wine combines ripe fruit and natural richness with bright acidity and a distinctly stony, mineral edge, giving it both generosity and energy.
Winemaking
The wine is made to preserve the purity and mineral character of the vineyard, with careful élevage allowing the fruit, texture and structure to come together. The result is a wine with plenty of depth and richness, balanced by freshness and a clear mineral line.
Tasting Note
Complex and composed, with ripe citrus and orchard fruit alongside white flowers, subtle spice and a distinctly stony mineral character. The palate is rich but energetic, with fine acidity, supple texture and a long, mineral finish. Precise and persistent, it balances the natural generosity of Pouilly-Fuissé with the freshness and structure of a Premier Cru.
2024 Saint Aubin 1er Cru ‘En Creot’
From the Premier Cru ‘En Créot’ vineyard, this is one of Janots & Bos’ standout Saint-Aubins and a wine they describe as a ‘bombe’ in every vintage. The site consistently produces wines of energy and depth, balancing fruit and richness with mineral precision and elegance. It has earned two Coup de Cœur awards from the Guide Hachette, in 2017 and 2019, a rare distinction that speaks to the quality of the wine.
Winemaking
The wine is made to preserve the natural energy and mineral character of the vineyard, with considered élevage allowing its complexity and structure to develop. It has excellent ageing potential and gains further depth and refinement with time in bottle.
Tasting Note
Complex and elegant, with ripe fruit, lime and white blossom layered with white pepper and a distinctive flinty character. The palate is deep and energetic, with soft acidity, fine minerality and a subtle note of vanilla adding texture and complexity. Refined and persistent, the wine shows balance in richness and freshness.
2024 Chassagne-Montrachet
Janots & Bos’ Chassagne-Montrachet is a highly characteristic expression of the appellation, combining vibrant fruit and aromatic detail with the dry, salty minerality that gives the wine its shape. There is plenty of Chassagne character here, with a freshness and precision that make the wine particularly compelling.
Winemaking
The wine is made with a focus on preserving the freshness, mineral character and natural aromatic profile of the Chassagne-Montrachet fruit. Careful élevage allows the wine to develop texture and complexity while retaining the energy and precision of the vineyard.
Tasting Note
Vibrant and expressive, with lime, peach, anise and fennel alongside notes of hawthorn blossom, acacia and hazelnut. The palate is fresh, with bright acidity, ripe fruit and a distinctly dry, saline character. The full aromatic spectrum carries through the palate, finishing long and mineral with savoury persistence.