Cool Kids Wine Club Cool Kids Wine Club is a mixed bunch. They are statement-making, interesting, and approachable wines. These wines and producers are at the forefront of wine discourse. Names to know, people to meet. If you are old and shaggy but want to be in the know, try these. Cool Kids Vol.16 Celebrated as benchmarks for low-intervention quality in their respective regions, these three domains share an unyielding commitment to site transparency, microclimate, and heritage stewardship. Whether farming the high-altitude hills of Panzano, the steep mountain slopes of Pupillin, or top Côte de Beaune parcels, each producer allows the geology of their land to dictate what lands in the glass. Also, bypassing heavy cellar manipulation, artificial styling, or oak dominance, they focus on crafting energetic, mineral-driven wines shaped by deep-rooted old vines and hands-off philosophies. This shared ethos is anchored by a dedication to generational continuity, preserving their distinct soils and viticultural histories as they pass the torch forward. Located in the heart of the Jura, Domaine de la Pinte is one of the foundational benchmark estates for low-intervention, terroir-driven winemaking in Arbois and Pupillin. Established in 1953 by Roger Martin, a passionate advocate for the region’s native grapes. Today, the estate is run by his son, Pierre Martin, they have been an early pioneer for sustainable farming in a region known for wet, challenging weather. They have been Demeter-certified biodynamic viticulture since 2009. Founded in Chassagne-Montrachet, Domaine Vincent Dancer is one of the Côte de Beaune’s premier benchmark estates for low-intervention, mineral-driven white Burgundies. Vincent—an engineer by training who originally hailed from Alsace—moved to Chassagne-Montrachet in 1996 to take over his family’s small collection of vineyard parcels. At a time when synthetic sprays were still standard practice in the region, Vincent took a disciplined path toward organic viticulture, earning official organic certification in 2012. Around 2020–2021, Vincent's son Théo assumed primary winemaking and vineyard management duties for the domain. Théo has built upon his father’s legacy while expanding the family's footprint. Monte Bernardi is helmed by Michael Schmelzer, Michigan-born winemaker who took over the historic estate in 2003. Located in the high-altitude hills of Panzano in Chianti, Michael became a passionate champion of organic and biodynamic farming long before it was trendy in the region. Monte Bernardi has the highest percentage of old vines of any commercial estate in Chianti Classico. This includes six hectares of vines that are over 55 years old, and one prized single hectare that was planted all the way back in 1933 (the inspiration for the MB1933 cuvée). Old vines naturally grow deeper roots into the rocky Galestro shale and Alberese limestone, giving the fruit a consistent, soil-driven character even in drought years Domaine de la Pinte Arbois Pupillin Melon a Queue Rouge 2022 $ 55.00 Sourced from a single hectare in Pupillin, this white wine showcases Melon à Queue Rouge, an ancient red-stemmed mutation of Chardonnay native to the Jura. Biodynamic farming on blue and red Liassic marl soils. The hand-harvested fruit undergoes native yeast fermentation in concrete vats. Its name literally translates to "Melon with the Red Tail." As the fruit approaches ripeness in late summer, the petiole (the small stem attaching the leaf and cluster to the vine) turns a striking reddish-pink color. The vines yield much smaller berries, smaller clusters, and are highly susceptible to coulure (shatter during spring flowering). Because the berries are smaller and the skins thicker, the juice-to-skin ratio is much lower than standard Chardonnay. In the mid-20th century, as industrial agriculture and nursery-cloned vines swept through France, Melon à Queue Rouge was nearly wiped out. Growers preferred modern, high-yielding, disease-resistant Chardonnay clones. Old plots of Melon à Queue Rouge were systematically ripped out and replaced. Pale straw colored, with aromas of orchard fruit, lemon peel, white flowers, and crushed stone. On the palate, a medium-bodied frame balances a rounded mouthfeel with a firm spine of acidity, flavors of pear and citrus pith, while salinity cuts directly through the fruit weight. It finishes leaving a lingering trace of salty minerality. Vincent Dancer Bourgogne Blanc 2023 $ 69.00 Sourced from organic parcels bordering Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, this white wine captures an early-picked expression of Chardonnay. Winemakers Vincent and Théo Dancer harvest the fruit manually, ferment spontaneously in neutral French oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks without bâtonnage. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, this cuvée delivers a refined snapshot of high-pedigree regional terroir. On the palate, a satiny, fine-boned frame pairs taut citrus flavor with an underlying chalky minerality. A driving beam of electric acidity slices through the medium-bodied volume, keeping the texture lithe and refreshed across the mid-palate. Subtle notes of lemon zest and flinty matchstick add a savory depth. “Retromarcia” 2024 Chianti Classico $ 30 Retromarcia, meaning reverse gear in Italian, is Michael Schmelcer’s calling card and homage to how Chianti traditionally used to taste. Biodynamic farming in Panzano, Michael focuses solely on Sangiovese to give his Classico a lean frame with clean cherry fruit, little smoke, earth, and freshness. Fresh, fun, juicy, light, candied cherry, tarragon, smooth, easy finish. Very drinkable and versatile. A benchmark everyday Chianti Classico. Michael picks based on flavor and acid balance rather than sugar density. As a result, his wines are athletic, savory, they trade brute power for longevity and transparency. Stay cool…
