Cheerful, “Gourmand” New 2016 Red Burgundy
The town of Maragnes is an underrated source for red Burgundy. Located at the very southern end of the Côte d’Or, it’s often left off regional maps, and its reputation is for rusticity over refinement.
Polished, Sophisticated 7-year-old Premier Cru Red Burgundy
The Domaine de l’Arlot is one of the iconic estates of Burgundy’s Nuits-St-Georges. Early adopters of biodynamics, they farm their impressive holdings with precision and care. The estate uses whole-cluster fermentation, which adds a structure and tension to their wines.
Nectar-like No-Oak White Burgundy, $24
Nearly all white wines from Burgundy spend some time oak. The barrels help develop the texture wines’, adding a roundness through micro-oxygenation. And while they’re typically less heavily oaked than many New World wines, the toasty notes are an important part of the great white Burgundies of Chassagne, Puligny, and Meursault. But not all white Burgundies are oaked.
Stock up for the Holidays: $18 Everyday Red
With Thanksgiving next week and December holidays only a few weeks after, entertaining season is upon us. Whether host or guest, it’s always handy to have an inexpensive, crowd-pleasing red around. Today we suggest the a 2016 Juliénas from Jean-Marc Monnet.
Velvety, Cozy Old-Vine Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
There’s no wine quite as cozy as Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The best Châteauneufs all contain a splash of southern sunlight, combining the region’s rugged, sunbaked earthiness with rich, mouthfilling fruit. With cold weather upon us on the east coast, Châteauneuf is as essential as a crackling fire or warm jacket.
2015 Pommard: “Utterly Delicious, Highly Seductive”
The reds of Burgundy are known for their elegance and finesse — but not Pommard. Its clay-rich soils produce reds that Rajat Parr calls “masculine, rustic, and earthy.” Next to the elegant, ethereal red Burgundies of the rest of the Côte d’Or, Pommard stands out. It’s a bit less subtle, but no less delicious.
Exceptional Chianti Classico Riserva: Currants, Licorice, and Graphite
Our only Italian producer, the Fattoria Poggerino, has long been a favorite among our readers. Their wines are all pure sangiovese — dark, delicately balanced expressions of an intense, powerful grape. Rajat Parr in his recent book calls their wines “excellent” and “some of the purest expressions of the grape in Italy.”
“Sleek” New 2016 Chablis, (Almost) Grand Cru. $35
Chablis is the quintessential food wine. With its refreshing mouthfeel and vibrant minerality, it matches beautifully with a wide range — a foil for rich, creamy dishes, or a match for crisp ones. And for nearly all Chablis, the price-to-quality ratio continues to impress.
The Perfect Autumn Red: $16 Beaujolais (Not Nouveau)
We drink Beaujolais year round, but it fits particularly well in the fall. Most of our Beaujolais is on the more serious end of the spectrum, hailing from the ten famous towns that dot the region. But we also enjoy the simpler style — pure fruit, no oak, low tannin, and a pleasant, crackling mouthfeel.
2015 Premier Cru Gevrey-Chambertin, 92 points
The Domaine des Varoilles is one of the most exciting recent additions to our Burgundy portfolio. Based in Gevrey-Chambertin, the domaine boasts an extraordinary collection of vines, ranging from village-level to Grand Cru Charmes-Chambertin. Most interesting, perhaps, are their two premier cru monopoles at the western end of Gevrey-Chambertin. “Clos des Varoilles” and “La Romanée” […]
Gorgeous, “Graceful” New Wintery Côte Rôtie.
Sometimes the most impressive wines come from the most unassuming of winemakers. We see our fair share of egocentric vignerons, but often the most talented winemakers are the quietest.
Inky, “Graceful” Syrah from a Master of Côte Rôtie. $25
The wines of Côte Rôtie have been celebrated for thousands of years. They appear in the writings of Plutarch and Pliny the Elder, and today are among the favorite wines of the sommelier Instagram set. Made from pure Syrah at its northernmost growing limit, Côte Rôtie represents the grape at its most refined.
Rich, Cozy, and Smooth: 92-point Southern Rhône Blend
There’s perhaps no cozier wine than a red from the Southern Rhône Valley. The most famous is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but many rich, excellent reds hail from the surrounding towns as well. At their best they provide similar depth and complexity but far better pricing.
“Outstanding” 93-point Masterpiece: 2015 Michel Gros Red Burgundy.
Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-St-Georges are neighbors with opposing characters. Vosne tends towards elegance, finesse, and spice; Nuits towards richness, more structure, and bolder flavors. In the hands of a talented winemaker, both can be superb.
New $22 Syrah Blend: Wild Lavender and Blackberry Jam
The south of France is a warm place. The grapes grown there are adapted to the heat, but achieving balance in a hot climate can still be difficult. If grapes become overripe, they contain too much sugar and too little acid, which boosts alcohol levels and flattens the palate.