Theo works on trusting his instincts and experience with his father to create the best expression of each wine that he can.

Theo works on trusting his instincts and experience with his father to create the best expression of each wine that he can.

Theo Dancer

Dec 08, 2023

Chassagne-Montrachet |Burgundy

The name Vincent Dancer should ring a bell if you are a lover of white burgundy. If it doesn't that's okay, but it is true that the wines have always ended up in few places and few cellars. When we think of white burgundy recently there are two camps. The classic with maybe a bit more weight, concentration, etc. such as the wines of Leflaive and Ramonet for example. Then there is the new wave, who seem to be pushing reduction to its limit. 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 been putting out some of the most transparent wines that truly show their sense of place to their respective vineyards. Theo, Vincent's son, has been working with his father at the Domaine and in recent vintages has pretty much fully taken the reins. Aside from taking over the Domaine and continuing the work his father has taught him, Theo has started his own project as well. The labels really speak to the ethos. When you see the label, you think of Vincent Dancer, they honor the tradition of the philosophies in the cellar, simply because it works. However, the labels are also a bit different, showing innovation.Which is just what Theo is doing.

Theo is working with not just your traditional grape varietals. Incorporating grapes like Savagnin and Pinot Gris and making them Burgundy. Don't worry he is still making some classic varietals 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 and Vinification

Theo 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 most " hands-off" approach

Theo works on trusting his instincts and experience with his father to create the best expression of each wine that he can. In the cellar, the object is to keep it minimal. 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.

The Wines of Theo Dancer - Coming 2023

2021 Theo Dancer, Bourgogne Aligote

THE VINEYARD Nantoux
FERMENTATION The wine is pressed and put directly into barrel. Once fermentation is complete it is unracked untilwinter. Then racked into stainless to settle before bottling
BOTTLES PRODUCED 1300

2020 Theo Dancer, Bourgogne Chardonnay

THE VINEYARD Coming from de-classified biodynamic vines in Meursault
FERMENTATION Amphorae
AGING Amphorae
BOTTLES PRODUCED 1200

2021 Theo Dancer, Alpestre Gringet, VdF

THE VINEYARD Grapes from Domaine Belluraud in the Haut-Savoie
SOIL Clay, Eboulis Calcaires
FERMENTATION Amphorae & glass then blended in tank before bottling
AGING Amphorae & Glass
BOTTLES PRODUCED 2500

2021 Theo Dancer, Jurassique Savagnin, VdF

THE VINEYARD Etoile
FERMENTATION The wine is pressed and put directly into barrel. Once fermentation is complete it is unracked untilwinter. Then racked into stainless to settle before bottling
AGING Large used barrels, 15 days of racking before bottling
BOTTLES PRODUCED 4000

2021 Theo Dancer, Opa-Oma Pinot Gris, VdF

THE VINEYARD Bischwiller organic vineyards
FERMENTATION The wine is pressed and put directly into barrel. Once fermentation is complete it is unracked untilwinter. Then racked into stainless to settle before bottling
BOTTLES PRODUCED 850-900

2021 Theo Dancer, Botanica Gamay, VdF

THE VINEYARD Loncier- next to Fleurie
SOIL Sand
FERMENTATION Vinification in tank, 100% destemmed, not temp controlled, no pumping
AGING Amphorae and used cask
BOTTLES PRODUCED 2000