In a few short years Gautier Desvignes has transformed his family’s sleepy, humble domaine into one of the stars of the region. Burgundy’s Côte Chalonnaise sub-region is a dynamic place these days – warmer summers, technological advances, and surging demand have combined to make it a source for terrific wine with excellent pricing.
William Kelley, Burgundy’s top wine writer, calls Gautier one of the “leading lights” of the Côte Chalonnaise, citing recent improvements in both the vineyard and cellar. Kelley calls the wines “elegant” and “sumptuous,” and given the string of terrific vintages Gautier has turned in over the last half-decade, we wholeheartedly agree.
Gautier’s village-level Givry is among the best values in our cellar, but his premier crus are well worthy of their increased prestige. Desvignes premier cru “Grand Berge” vines lie just in back of the domaine, and the wine is particularly expressive this year. The nose shows raspberries and pepper with forest floor and violets. The mouth is sleek and medium weight, with layers of fruit neatly packed over a long, precise profile. We expect this to drink well for 5+ years, but will be hard to put down by Christmas.
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Desvignes Givry 1er “Grand Berge” 2021
bottle price: $38