Theo Dancer
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The son of one of Burgundy's top white wine producers, Théo Dancer has continued his father Vincent's work at the Burgundy domaine, all the while branching off to experiment with other varieties that he has a connection with. While he still produces some Aligoté and Gamay that don't stray far from Burgundy's roots, he's also sourcing from great vineyards in Alsace, Savoie, the Jura and now Provence to craft his eponymous wines. Expect the same riveting quality long-showcased in the Burgundy domaine but now honed through the prism of the über-talented younger generation's taste and style.
The name Vincent Dancer will ring a bell if you are a lover of white Burgundy. When we think of modern white Burgundy there are often two camps: the classic, with maybe a bit more weight and concentration, such as the wines of Leflaive and Ramonet; then there is the new wave, who seem to be pushing reduction to its limit, with a greater leanness of texture. I have always believed that Vincent Dancer has found the perfect harmony. It isn't often that all wines in the range are treated the same way from ferment to aging vessels. Combined with the vineyard work and winemaking choices, Dancer has long been putting out some of the most transparent wines that truly show the sense of place of their respective vineyards.
Théo, Vincent's son, has been working with his father at the Domaine and in recent vintages has now fully taken the reins. Aside from taking over the Domaine and continuing the work his father has taught him, Théo has started his own project as well. The labels speak to the ethos: when you see the label, you think of Vincent Dancer, honoring the tradition and philosophies of the Domaine. However, the labels are also a bit different, showing innovation that Théo is executing.
Théo is working with some grape varieties that are nontraditional to Burgundy. He works with vineyards around France that grow Savagnin, Grenache, and Pinot Gris, and makes the wines in Burgundy (in addition to some more classic varieties to the region, like Aligoté and Gamay). When tasting the wines you feel the soul of Dancer's transparency along with the energy of a 23-year-old, talented winemaker.
Viticulture & VinificationThéo is focusing on healthy farming, sourcing grapes from the right people and the right vineyards, trusting in the work they put into their vines. While not all of the vineyards are yet certified organic, each vineyard is being treated with the utmost care and with few, if any, additions.
Théo works on trusting his instincts and experience with his father to create the best expression of each wine. In the cellar, the object is to keep it minimalist: native yeasts, no enzymes or acids, natural malolactic fermentation, no batonnage, and no fining or filtering. While each wine is given the same approach, there is some variation to length of racking, fermentation vessels, and more. Below we will dive into detail on each wine.
Théo's Notes on the 2024 Vintage"The 2024 vintage in Burgundy proved particularly unpredictable in terms of weather. After a beautiful start to spring, the conditions quickly turned unstable, with frequent rainfalls that greatly complicated our treatment schedule requiring repeated interventions after each rainy episode.
Despite close and consistent vineyard monitoring, a large portion of the crop was lost to mildew, resulting in exceptionally low yields during this harvest season. Nevertheless, the quality of the remaining grapes was not compromised, producing, in my opinion, one of the most intriguing Burgundian vintages in recent years.
Later-ripening and cooler than usual, it recalls the older-style vintages we had almost forgotten in today’s context of global warming yet no less captivating. I believe the wines will show remarkable complexity and excellent drinkability."
