Red Burgundy Verticals
Drinking multiple vintages of the same wine is an excellent way to get to know a wine. In Burgundy, vintages play an important role in the character of a wine, and tasting the same wine in vertical be an educational (and delicious) experience.
Of course there are two vintage variables with every bottle: the time elapsed from the harvest year, and the patterns of that particular vintage itself. In other words, it’s impossible simultaneously to drink two wines at the same age from different vintages. But in our eyes that only adds another variable of intrigue.
So we’ve collected some red Burgundy vertical trios — the same wine in 3 vintages. Quantities are limited.
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 | Vincent Ravaut’s family domaine lies at the northern… (+) Vincent Ravaut’s family domaine lies at the northern end of the Côte de Beaune, in the little known town of Ladoix. Though the names of the town and family are largely under the radar, the wines need not be, and generations of local customers have bought them happily.
The 2020 Ladoix 1er cru “Bois Roussot” manages to be both lively and hearty. The vintage delivered darker fruit than we often see here: it is black currants that mingle with toast and earth. Yet there is plenty of freshness and supple tannin, so the wine should age gracefully for many years. This is a wine that will show its best at the table, complementing a roast of pork, beef, or veal. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
 | The family who creates this wine are true… (+) The family who creates this wine are true believers in the theory of biodynamics — minimal vineyard intervention in the vines, meticulous and hands-off winemaking. William Kelley calls them “one of the best producers in the Mâconnais “ producing “ honeyed, concentrated wines that are imbued with remarkable concentration and energy.”
The 2021 Forces Telluriques is a triumph. The domaine harvested slowly, over about 15 days, achieving 13.2% naturally – a real feat in a cool vintage. The resulting wine is superb, showing ripeness without weight, a wine that is lively and alive. Kelley gave 93 points, finding “Aromas of clear honey, white flowers, beeswax and sweet spices” calling it “a suave and vibrant wine that's satiny, bright and fine-boned, concluding with a bright, gently exotic finish.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
 | The soil in this special plot is the… (+) The soil in this special plot is the same mix of marl, clay, and limestone found on the Hill of Corton, and Gros’s white echoes the famous floral and chalky qualities of Corton-Charlemagne. The 2021 is excellent, unwinding beautifully in the glass over a half hour. There’s gardenia and magno in the nose, with a vibrant mouth full of dry fruit and beautiful mineral tension. Jancis Robinson’s reviewer found it “impressive and classy.” Serve this blind and your guests will call Santenay or Chassagne.
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 | Sourced from old vines, crafted by a masterful… (+) Sourced from old vines, crafted by a masterful winemaker, and given (like his Meursaults) an exceptionally long 22 months of elevage before bottling, Boyer’s 2021 Bourgogne Côte d’Or is a triumph – far closer to a village Meursault than a humble regional-level wine.
We found Vincent’s 2021 Bourgogne his best yet, and we weren’t alone in our enthusiasm. Burghound gave it his “outstanding” distinction, finding “white orchard fruit and orange peel,” with “excellent punch and delineation,” from “delicious medium weight flavors” and a “sneaky long finish.” He concluded, simply, “Lovely.” We agree – the nose shows Boyer’s signature blend of golden fruit and focused minerals. The mouth is rich and smooth, with terrific concentration for its level (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
 | Nicolas Ragot is our newest Côte Chalonnaise source… (+) Nicolas Ragot is our newest Côte Chalonnaise source, and one of the leading producers in Givry. He makes ample use of amphoras, which give his wines an appealing patina and exquisite freshness. William Kelley calls his reds “supple and flavorful,” Jancis Robinson writes of their “purity” and “classiness,” and Neal Martin of Vinous finds them “caressing,” “fleshy,” and “excellent.”
the 2022 Grand Berge is terrific, with exquisite, refined tannins and a dusty, beautiful fruit profile. The nose is more serious than the village level Givry, and the jump to premier cru is apparent in the length and refinement. This is serious, very classy red Burgundy, and a remarkable value – we expect it to age well for 5+ years. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
 | Nicolas Ragot is our newest Côte Chalonnaise source… (+) Nicolas Ragot is our newest Côte Chalonnaise source, and one of the leading producers in Givry. He makes ample use of amphoras, which give his wines an appealing patina and exquisite freshness. William Kelley calls his reds “supple and flavorful,” Jancis Robinson writes of their “purity” and “classiness,” and Neal Martin of Vinous finds them “caressing,” “fleshy,” and “excellent.”
The nose shows violet and cassis, the mouth bursts with fleshy red cherry fruit and a bit of cracked pepper. We think it’d hold its own against a village-level Gevrey-Chambertin, and certainly wouldn’t be the weaker of the two. It requires no patience and we expect will prove a loyal companion to steak-frites. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
 | Vinous's Antonio Galloni writes: "Piero Lanza makes wines… (+) Vinous's Antonio Galloni writes: "Piero Lanza makes wines of notable character that capture all the finesse of Radda. I find a purity in these wines that is incredibly distinctive."
Piero Lanza's Chianti Classico “Riserva Bugialla” 2020 has even greater aging potential than the regular cuvée. Galloni called it a “potent, brooding wine” and gave “93+” points. He found that “macerated dark cherry, licorice, leather, tobacco and smoke all flesh out over time.” The wine spent nearly two months on the skins, followed by malolactic in cement and two years in large oak casks. Galloni thought that “this young, potent Riserva has a bright future.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
 | "Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines… (+) "Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines in a crisp cool classically Chablis style, which is now really quite hard to achieve in these warmer seasons." – Jasper Morris, on Gautheron's 2022s
Fourneaux premier cru “Vieilles Vignes” 2022 saw 15% oak, which contributes roundness and complexity. Its most impressive feature, however, is its showy length on the palate, a result of the old vine concentration. The balance of depth, energy, fruit and stones here is just terrific. We expect lovely evolution and a long, happy life for this wine. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
 | "Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines… (+) "Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines in a crisp cool classically Chablis style, which is now really quite hard to achieve in these warmer seasons." – Jasper Morris, on Gautheron's 2022s
This Montmains cuvée, from old vines, is magnificent this year. Impeccable balance amid lush fruit and piercing stones. Morris gave it his coveted 5 star rating, awarding 92-95 pts and writing "This has the requisite bite, the reductive crunch with massive intensity, all the power without the heaviness. Very fine long aftertaste. A classic in the making." (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
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 | This wine transcends the genre in a way… (+) This wine transcends the genre in a way few other bottles do – if you told us it was a village Gevrey we’d believe you – humble in appellation, but striking in taste. Cheron used 100% whole clusters, adding definition to the dark fruit.
This is the most complex and elegant red Bourgogne in our portfolio. The nose is deep and beautiful with intense dark fruit but excellent lift – there’s a stony earthiness behind the plums that’s balanced and enticing. The mouth is clear, long, and nimble, bouncing from wild cherries to anise to black pepper and back to cassis. Burghound praised its “racy, delicious, well detailed flavors.” It offers immediate enjoyment, but should cellar a year or two with ease. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
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 | We found Piero’s 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva extraordinary – perhaps… (+) We found Piero’s 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva extraordinary – perhaps the best vintage he’s made. It’s long and sleek, packed with deep black fruit and tension. The oak is already integrated beautifully, as are the tannins. It will drink better young than recent vintages, but has more than enough material to go the distance. Galloni thought the 2021 Bugialla “another superb offering,” and awarded 94 points, finding “macerated black cherry, dried herbs, lavender and spice, all [ ] amplified in the glass.” Bear in mind that Riservas are big wines and generally need a few years to show their finer points. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $45 | |
 | Chateau Larrieu-Terrefort's 2019 Margaux is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon… (+) Chateau Larrieu-Terrefort's 2019 Margaux is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot, and offers a particularly refined take on the terroir. The class of the vintage is apparent, and the 2019’s elegant, perfectly structured tannins are exquisite in this wine. The nose is sophisticated and pretty with notes of sweet spice and oak; the mouth is fine and long with a delicate balance and very long finish. This will benefit from some time in the bottle, but we expect it to be exceptional in a few years. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $48 | |
 | One particular success in 2022 are the reds… (+) One particular success in 2022 are the reds of Roger Belland, whose cuvées are universally delicious, and always well priced. His Santenay 1er cru “Gravières” 2022 is a triumph – loads of dark cassis and violet fruit packed into a solid and inky core of fruit and minerals. And all wrapped up in a neat, classy, 13% alc. package.
Burghound loved this wine, awarding it both “Outstanding” and “Top Value” designations. He found “fine volume and richness,” with “an opulent mid-palate mouthfeel,” calling the finish “firm and serious.” It’s juicy modern red Burgundy, but with perfect ripeness and an old-school texture. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $48 | |
 | "Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines… (+) "Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines in a crisp cool classically Chablis style, which is now really quite hard to achieve in these warmer seasons." – Jasper Morris, on Gautheron's 2022s
Gautheron's Montée de Tonnerre is a triumph in 2022. From Chablis's top premier cru vineyard, this is nearing Grand Cru levels for depth and intensity. Morris writes "There is a softer succulence, a ripe flesh on the palate, that is one typical facet of Montée de Tonnerre, then a long generous finish," 91-94. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $48 | |
 | We have worked with the Domaine Vessigaud for… (+) We have worked with the Domaine Vessigaud for just a few vintages, but we see the same knack for making the most of the clay-limestone terroir that underlies Pouilly-Fuissé’s possibilities. Vessigaud is Demeter certified (the highest Biodynamic level), and the results in the glass are obvious: vibrant wines full of tension and bursting with life. We are not alone in our views — as William Kelley writes: “succulent but serious, any bottle bearing Vessigaud’s label is worth seeking out.”
“Pierres à Canards,” is a small plot of 70 year-old vines in a higher section, and in 2023 the wine was impressively generous in the nose and round in the mouth. It was vinified and raised in barrels for 12 months, followed by 6 months en cuve. There’s a lot going on in this glass: great purity of fruit mingled with a mineral line, and much length on the palate. It’s a bit drier than the Vieilles Vignes – more savory, more saline, more serious – but no less tasty. Like the Vieilles Vignes, it should have a long life and prove a versatile wine to pair with a wide range of dishes. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $48 | |
 | As Master of Wine Jasper Morris wrote recently:… (+) As Master of Wine Jasper Morris wrote recently: “Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines in a crisp cool classically Chablis style, which is now really quite hard to achieve in these warmer seasons.” We thought it unlikely that Cyril would have followed his extraordinary 2022s with another vintage like it, but the 2023s are every bit as good, and in some cases even better.
Raised entirely in stainless steel, the Vaucoupin is particularly nice in 2023, offering a fine and delicate mouthfeel. The balance is particularly good, with freshness tied into a palate that nonetheless feels round and supple. In the nose, floral notes of acacia join the clean lemon fruit. Jasper Morris found “plenty of tension on the palate, discreet in the middle, a little richer at the finish. . . . Classy yet of medium body.” This is prototypical Chablis, and it wants for nothing. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $48 | |
 | As Master of Wine Jasper Morris wrote recently:… (+) As Master of Wine Jasper Morris wrote recently: “Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines in a crisp cool classically Chablis style, which is now really quite hard to achieve in these warmer seasons.” We thought it unlikely that Cyril would have followed his extraordinary 2022s with another vintage like it, but the 2023s are every bit as good, and in some cases even better.
The Chablis premier cru “Fourneaux” 2023 is from a right-bank vineyard with more clay in the soils. It is also raised entirely in stainless steel, but the additional clay makes the wine more easily accessible, with a palate of rounder mouthfeel before a mineral finish with refreshing salinity. Jasper Morris awarded four stars, calling it “understated yet fine.”
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 | The soils of this region are the same… (+) The soils of this region are the same Kimmeridgian mixture as nearby Chablis — a blend of chalk, limestone, and clay, rather than the chalk-limestone of the rest of Champagne. The addition of clay gives the wines a broader mouthfeel than those from northern Champagne, and we found all four Robin wines delightfully rich on the palate.
Cuvée Topaze is blanc de blancs (100% chardonnay): refined, elegant, and subtle; the nose is fresh and clean with notes of lemon, chalk, and green apple. The mouth beautifully blends citrus and earth — it calls to mind a white Burgundy with bubbles. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $49 | |
 | Down the slope from the Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne… (+) Down the slope from the Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne the Ravauts produce an undervalued white Burgundy from the appellation Ladoix — we find that it more than holds its own alongside better known whites from Meursault, Puligny and Chassagne.
The Ladoix blanc 2019 is a relative bargain in this category, offering vanilla notes married with deep, ripe fruit in the nose — look for beeswax alongside lovely golden fruit. On the palate it is very round, but with good supporting acidity. There is a lot going on in the glass and a long, lingering finish. Writer Bill Nanson called the Ravauts’ Ladoix blanc a “baby Corton-Charlemagne,” and we can see why he did. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $49 | |
| The 2019 vintage produced wines that were almost… (+) The 2019 vintage produced wines that were almost universally successful. The tannins are compact and delicious, with an unusual succulence that makes them delightful even young. The fruits are both perfectly ripe and beautifully balanced, indicating a long life ahead.
Ravaut’s 2019 Côte de Nuits-Villages is among our most popular everyday red Burgundies. Today we’re suggesting its more sophisticated and classier cousin: the Ladoix 1er cru “Bois Roussot.” It’s bursting with strawberries and briary, woodsy berries in the nose; the mouth is smooth and fine-grained, with excellent density and a clean, modern finish. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $49 | |
| Roger and Julie Belland are 5th and 6th… (+) Roger and Julie Belland are 5th and 6th generation growers in Santenay -- their wines are perennial favorites among our readers, offering early drinking and friendly pricetags. Belland’s are always delicious and precocious, but in 2020 they’re even better than usual.
Belland’s Santenay 1er cru “Gravières” 2020 highlights the virtue of the best 2020s: though the vintage is a very ripe one, the dryness left enough acidity in the grapes to keep the wines fresh and vibrant. Thus the wines are well balanced and should age beautifully. Allen Meadows (“Burghound”) praised the Gravières 2020 for its “intense and elegant floral-suffused nose,” finding “black cherry liqueur, soft spice, and earth.” It’s 40% whole cluster fermentation this year, giving excellent definition to the lush fruit. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $49 | |
 | The Boursots began making wine in Chambolle-Musigny in… (+) The Boursots began making wine in Chambolle-Musigny in 1550; for centuries, like many Burgundy domaines, they sold their entire production each year to the negociants of Beaune. Today it’s brothers Romauld and Romaric making the wines as the 15th generation of Boursots. Vinous’s Neal Martin describes Boursot’s wines as “superb,” “excellent,” “very fine,” and “worth seeking out.”
This lesser-known appellation just north of Beaune produces lovely red Burgundies with terrific freshness. In a world where an abundance of ripeness has hidden the clear, subtle earthiness of wine from many sites, Savigny remains a source for wines of tension, depth, and elegance. Old school red Burgundy from a terrific modern source. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $49 | |
 | This is our fifth vintage buying from Sofie… (+) This is our fifth vintage buying from Sofie Bohrmann, a domaine in Meursault whose wines we discovered in a Beaune restaurant. Her wines are quietly brilliant, many hailing from well-known vineyards in St-Aubin, Puligny and Meursault. Her 2022 white Burgundies are terrific – low in alcohol, full of ripe fruit and excellent freshness, with terrific concentration and appealing textures.
St-Romain sits about 400-500 feet higher in elevation than Borhmann’s hometown of Meursault, a real advantage in Burgundy’s new hot dry summer climate. Sofie acquired the Clos Sous le Chateau, a small monopole below the ruins, a decade ago, and it was a very smart choice. Her 2022 St-Romain is an exquisite combination of ripeness and zip – less creamy and soft than St-Aubin, but with Sofie’s signature golden polish. With just a splash of oak and a delicate bouquet of white flowers, acacia and almonds, this has to be among the best sub-$50 Burgundies around. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $49 | |
| Ragot’s 2023 Clos Jus is terrific. It’s 85%… (+) Ragot’s 2023 Clos Jus is terrific. It’s 85% raised in barrel (40% new) and the rest in amphora, with 25% whole cluster. This recipe makes for a serious red Burgundy, and the wine has the presence and texture of a village-level Gevrey-Chambertin. The nose is dark and sappy with impressively complex layers of spice, blackberry, cherry and stones. The mouth is rich and dense but with exceptional tension and freshness – it’s a dynamic wine in a way that much sub-$50 red Burgundy is not.
Neal Martin of Vinous gave it 91 points, finding a “bouquet of crushed strawberry, cranberry and lightly pressed flower.” In the mouth he noted “fine tannins, well balanced and refined,” concluding “this is another delicious Givry from Nicolas Ragot.”
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 | Join us on Thursday nights for the return… (+) Join us on Thursday nights for the return of in-person tastings at the Depot this fall!
Thursday, September 14, 6:30pm: Chablis & the Maconnais
Explore white Burgundies from outside the Côte d'Or.
Gautheron Chablis 1er Montmains 2021
Collet Chablis 1er Vaillons 2021
Collet Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2021
Giroux Pouilly-Fuissé VV 2020
Maillet Pouilly-Fuissé 2020
Forces-Telluriques Viré-Clessé 2020
Any purchases of 3+ bottles will be credited back the $50 tasting fee. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $50 | |
 | Morey’s vines in this plot are over 40… (+) Morey’s vines in this plot are over 40 years old, and produce small, perfectly ripe berries year in and year out. This results in an intense, sappy wine with dark flavor, dark color, and a smooth, concentrated mouthfeel. We were amazed at how rich and masculine the flavor was, particularly so far from the soils of the Côte de Nuits.
The nose is dark and woodsy, showing intense black raspberry and licorice. The mouth is intense but smooth and long, with gingerbread, spice, and blackberry jam. Tasted blind we’d put this somewhere in southern Nuits-St-Georges or northern Gevrey Chambertin. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $52 | |
 | Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls the Coutier wines… (+) Antonio Galloni of Vinous calls the Coutier wines “gorgeous…all showing the natural richness of Ambonnay,” and writing they “have been favorites of mine for years, because of their quality, personality, and exceedingly fair prices.” Ambonnay is known as Pinot Noir country, where extra clay and warm southern exposure lend themselves well to the red grape.
Courtier’s base “Cuvée Tradition” is simply exquisite grower Champagne at a remarkable price. It’s super expressive exploding from the glass with notes of spring flowers, pear, raspberries, herbs and brioche. At 6g dosage and a blend of 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay it’s dry but full of fruit, and the texture is at once lush and crisp. This is accessible, affordable, downright tasty Champagne – full of character, flavor, and life. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $52 | |
 | One of our favorites recent second wine discoveries… (+) One of our favorites recent second wine discoveries is the Murmure du Larcis Ducasse, a St-Emilion Grand Cru. Chateau Larcis Ducasse is a well known estate whose flagship label “flirts with perfection” in good vintages (Jeb Dunnuck). If you’re in need of a serious, mature, sub-$60 Bordeaux, look no further.
James Suckling gave the 2018 Murmure a 95, just two points behind the flagship label that year, finding it “elegant…juicy, and fleshy texture…savory…such balance.” This wine stole the show at our tasting in January, and we’re delighted it’s finally arrived. Among a crowded field of other St-Emilions, this showed a beautiful floral nose with violets and plum, and lush, very fresh fruit. The mouth is sturdy and rich, and every tannin is coated in gorgeous ripe fruit. Drink with steak.
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 | Chateau Cantemerle is an extremely old property (dating… (+) Chateau Cantemerle is an extremely old property (dating back to the 12th century), recognized as a “fifth growth” in the 1855 classification. This is the most serious of the three, with a gorgeous, deep, outstanding nose showing wild cherries, tobacco, and just a hint of spice. The mouth is sturdy and extremely well built, with tremendous concentration and a long impeccably balanced finish. There’s dark, rich fruit, solid structure, and impressive freshness. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $52 | |
| As Master of Wine Jasper Morris wrote recently:… (+) As Master of Wine Jasper Morris wrote recently: “Cyril Gautheron is a superb producer making wines in a crisp cool classically Chablis style, which is now really quite hard to achieve in these warmer seasons.” We thought it unlikely that Cyril would have followed his extraordinary 2022s with another vintage like it, but the 2023s are every bit as good, and in some cases even better.
Montmains premier cru “Vieilles Vignes” is exceptional in 2023. The balance is just beautiful, with good roundness in the mouth, plenty of freshness at the same time, and extraordinary persistence on the palate. The 80 year age of these vines has something to do with the exceptional results, but vinification also plays a part. For a part of this wine Cyril has used a 3500 liter wooden cuve, which delivers micro-oxygenation without much movement of the lees, making the wine less focused and a bit more open. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $52 | |
 | The Bonnefonds produce exceptional red wines, with notes… (+) The Bonnefonds produce exceptional red wines, with notes of dark fruits and spice. They are rich without being heavy – only 13% alcohol – and there’s an attractive liveliness often lacking in Syrah from the Southern Hemisphere. Bonnefond wines will age with no trouble for ten or more years.
Their Côte Rôtie shows plum, roasted meats and black pepper; the mouth is spiced and dense, showing olives and dark chocolate, and a hint of smoke. The inky tannins here are firm but not harsh, and with a few hours in a carafe this is a lovely glass of wine. We wouldn’t be the first to volunteer to work the vertigo-inducing “fields” of Bonnefond’s vineyards, but we’re certainly glad someone does. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $54 | |
 | The Olivier family has run the Ferme Fruirouge… (+) The Olivier family has run the Ferme Fruirouge for nine generations. Today they raise their fruits organically and biodynamically, and their crèmes are the cleanest, purest, most intense extraction of fruit we’ve ever seen. We’ll admit some skepticism as they explained that they play baroque music in their cave so the auditory vibrations can help the extraction — but one taste of these cremes and you won’t care what they do to make it.
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 | Most Champagne, including our primary source Pascal Bardoux… (+) Most Champagne, including our primary source Pascal Bardoux, comes from the area surrounding Reims. But Robin is in the increasingly popular Côte des Bar, a southern satellite subregion of Champagne about half way between Reims and Dijon.
The Secret de Sorbée is fermented partially in barrel and left on the lees for over two years. The resulting wine is toasty and fresh with lovely apple fruit and floral notes. The Guide Hachette awarded a star, and called it “at once round and tart,” with a “pleasant, intense fruit expression.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $54 | |
 | “Beautiful and bountiful,” writes Jasper Morris of the… (+) “Beautiful and bountiful,” writes Jasper Morris of the 2022 red Burgundies; “very good wines and plenty of them.” William Kelley calls them “succulent, suave and charming”, “offering excellence in both colors and in a wide variety of styles.” Roger Belland's reds are entirely classic, with ripe modern fruit but traditional, low-alcohol textures.
Belland’s Santenay 1er cru “Beauregard” is delicious in this vintage. After a few minutes in the glass, its sunny ripe fruit begins to emerge. In the mouth it is particularly pleasant, fresh enough but not brisk, and round but not too mouth filling. The combination gives it an elegant feel, with ripe tannins providing support at the back end. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $54 | |
 | Vessigaud is a committed biodynamic vigneron whose wines… (+) Vessigaud is a committed biodynamic vigneron whose wines are Demeter certified, the highest organic classification. In the bottle this translates to superb purity and clarity, with careful elevage and excellent balance. As William Kelley puts it, “succulent but serious, any bottle bearing Vessigaud’s label is worth seeking out.”
Pouilly-Fuissé 1er cru “Vignes Blanche” is rich, smooth, and vibrant, with unusual power and depth. Even here Vessigaud eschews new oak, opting for 5-year-old demi-muids (large 600L barrels) for a year. He’s right, of course – the wine wants for nothing, showing notes of brioche, pear, and chalk with a long, sleek, shimmering finish. “This is achingly good – simply excellent wine,” writes critic Bill Nanson. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $54 | |
 | “Fleur Enchantée,” is an homage to winemaker Denis… (+) “Fleur Enchantée,” is an homage to winemaker Denis Basset family’s horticultural roots. It comes from 50 year-old Syrah vines, which give exceptional depth and intensity. It’s noticeably more concentrated and intense than Étincelle, shows a bit more new oak, and offers more complexity — a bit of black olive and smokiness along with the fruit. It can be cellared for up to eight or ten years. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $55 | |
 | Though we no longer offer Caroline Lestimé’s brilliant… (+) Though we no longer offer Caroline Lestimé’s brilliant wines under her traditional Jean-Noël Gagnard label through our regular channels, we’re excited to have a few of her “negoce” cuvées in stock – both of this year’s show off Caroline’s technical cellar chops, and carry the signature glossy Gagnard character.
The nose is bright and perfumy, with lemon, stones and faint herbs. The mouth shows beautiful sucrocité, with a sleek round texture that finishes vibrant and fresh. As with all of Caroline’s wines, the interplay of oak, fruit and earth is seamless. With its excellent freshness we expect this to drink well for a number of years. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $55 | |
 | Roger and Julie Belland are 5th and 6th… (+) Roger and Julie Belland are 5th and 6th generation growers in Santenay -- their wines are perennial favorites among our readers, offering early drinking and friendly pricetags. Belland’s are always delicious and precocious, but in 2020 they’re even better than usual.
Santenay 1er cru “Beauregard” offers excellent value. This is full bodied white Burgundy, rich and round, with notes of oak mingled with ripe fruit. And the paradox of the 2020 whites – vibrant freshness in a hot year – is on full display. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $55 | |
 | The world has by now discovered St-Aubin, the… (+) The world has by now discovered St-Aubin, the once secret town tucked away up a valley between Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet. But even if it’s less hidden than it once was, its wines are better than ever. At the western edge of the appellation lies a plot named “Murgers des Dents de Chiens.” Perched just up the hill from Montrachet itself, this St. Aubin premier cru is a remarkable value.
Gerard Thomas’s 2022 St-Aubin "Murgers" shows terrific concentration, with ripe lemon fruit blending perfectly into a chiseled mineral core. On the palate it’s crackling and savory, with a long and tense finish that’s vibrant and lithe. Jancis Robinson’s reviewer found it “rich, creamy and inviting…lots of spice on the palate,” concluding “fresh, flavorful and full of fruit.”
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 | Lespault-Martillac’s 2016 blanc is a blend of 70% Sauvignon… (+) Lespault-Martillac’s 2016 blanc is a blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Semillon – it’s barrel fermented and then given a 10 month elevage. The nose is dry, floral, and expressive with notes of citrus, lavender, lime zest and candle wax. The mouth is simply beautiful – fully mature with terrific tension and chalky minerality amid the beautiful golden pear fruit. The Wine Advocate’s reviewer gave 92 points, finding “oodles of freshness and plenty of pear-laced flavor;” Antonio Galloni in Vinous called it “one of the more pleasant wines” of the vintage. We put this in the same class as a well aged white Burgundy, maybe from Puligny or St-Aubin – serve with a fine meal on a weekend afternoon.
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 | This is our fifth vintage buying from Sofie… (+) This is our fifth vintage buying from Sofie Bohrmann, a domaine in Meursault whose wines we discovered in a Beaune restaurant. Her wines are quietly brilliant, many hailing from well-known vineyards in St-Aubin, Puligny and Meursault. Her 2022 white Burgundies are terrific – low in alcohol, full of ripe fruit and excellent freshness, with terrific concentration and appealing textures.
At the village level Sofie's St. Aubin’s “Champ Tirant” comes from vines replanted in 2016, which came into production in 2020. There’s plenty of gras (fat) in this wine, but there is also good supporting freshness. It's creamy and delicious, with the weight of a premier cru but a quicker finish. A crowd pleaser at an excellent price. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $55 | |
| Boursot’s newest cuvée is their Savigny-les-Beaune, a village that… (+) Boursot’s newest cuvée is their Savigny-les-Beaune, a village that comes with less fame and a significant discount from the better known appellations. Savigny’s terroir naturally tends toward linear wines with tension and minerals, notes that play beautifully in a year of heat and drought. The Boursots use 25% amphora and 25% oak for this cuvée, and the result is a pleasant, fresh, extremely drinkable wine. The nose shows cherries and limestone, the mouth is floral and pleasant, with delicate tannins amid the deep inky fruit. Bill Nanson of the “Burgundy Report” writes “wide and perfumed…you might guess Chambolle…simply excellent.” Serve this with duck confit or a creamy chicken, and watch the wine slice effortlessly through the fat. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $55 | |
 | Baron de Brane Margaux 2018 is a second… (+) Baron de Brane Margaux 2018 is a second wine from the famous Margaux chateau Brane-Cantenac, a second growth property. This is 60% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Carménère. This wine stood out particularly for the nose. It has the high toned silky character of classic Margaux that’s somehow both elegant and musclular. The mouth is no slouch though, with an extremely well balanced mouthfeel showing graphite, earth, cassis and an old-school weight and shape. It’s more serious and less lush than the Murmure, as you’d expect from something on the Left Bank, but is drinking just as well now. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $55 | |
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 | In most years this cuvée is an excellent… (+) In most years this cuvée is an excellent buy -- a beautifully made Côte Rôtie for under $60. But in 2015, it’s nothing short of a steal. In a vintage where Northern Rhône reds have been called “the best in 55 years,” the Colline de Couzou is an exceptional wine and a great value.
The nose shows black pepper, olive, and blackberry; the mouth is very dense, elegantly textured, and extremely long, with notes of anise, plum jam, and cloves. Josh Raynolds of Vinous awarded 91-93 points, finding “silky tannins” and “excellent clarity.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $58 | |
| Vinous’s Josh Raynolds called Bonnefond’s 2016s “as graceful… (+) Vinous’s Josh Raynolds called Bonnefond’s 2016s “as graceful a group of wines as I’ve ever sampled.” And graceful is an apt word -- they are long and silky, with beautiful tension and gorgeous texture.
The 2016 Côte Rôtie “Colline de Couzou” shows notes of anise, plum jam, and cloves. Vinous awarded 92 points, finding “cassis and violet,” “an energizing jolt of cracked pepper,” and calling it “sappy, smooth and long.” (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $58 | |
 | As you may have read, 2016 was a… (+) As you may have read, 2016 was a wonderful growing season in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. It was easy on the vignerons, a welcome respite after a series of vintages that tested their skills. The 2016 red from the Domaine André lives up to our very high expectations.
The nose is lovely and expressive, with deep, dark fruit. The wine fills the mouth beautifully, with plenty of tannins that are already silky. It is a vintage of “lace and elegance,” to quote Jacqueline. This is a big wine with the capacity to live for decades, but it is also a wine that will offer much pleasure in its early years. (-) Free East Coast Shipping | $58 |