France

Burgundy

Burgundy, the mythical home of wines made from Pinot Noir & Chardonnay … don’t forget AligotéGammay too!

Located in the middle of France on the eastern side. There is no other wine region that has been defined in such incredible detail. Each vineyard has been named and classified. Within these vineyards their are also Lieux Dits  referring to a specific part of a vineyard or region recognized for its own topographic or historical specificities.

This detailed definition allows for the equally detailed exploration of terroir. Hereditary tittle law in France has seen vineyards split between siblings generation after generation. Many incredibly small parcels producing only enough grapes to yield a single barrel of wine exist. This further extends our ability to see terroir in action vs the hand of the maker with many of the great vineyards having dozens of owners each producing minuscule volumes of wine.

The opportunity to taste them side by side is becoming increasingly difficult as scarcity drives prices up!

The most famous and coveted wines are the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of the Côte de Nuits and Côte du Beaune. Together they form a narrow escarpment running north-south over a distances of less than 50kms.

Much further north the Chardonnay from Chablis stands comfortably on it’s own two feet with some delicious mineral, fine wines with insane ability to age.

To the south excellent wines are produced in the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais, home to Chardonnays of exceptional value & personality.

Further again the Gammay from Beaujolais represents some of the beast value wines from Burgundy.

We’ve shared a series of articles in the Wine Bites Mag “Getting Your Head Around Burgundy” deep diving into the region.

Where marginal climate saw a high proportion of tough vintages in Burgundy. In ability to rippen grapes is less often a problem today. Catastrophic frosts and hail storms more of an issue.

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On the left bank of Le Serein and on the middle of the slope, Vaillons is a particularly well-positioned Premier Cru that enjoys an excellent reputation thanks to the work of several key growers. The domaine works with vines planted in 1974 in the lieux-dits of Les Epinottes (a cooler part of the vineyard) and Roncières (which provides more opulence). Then, a parcel of 75-year-old vines in Sécher usually accounts for 30% of the blend and provides intense mineral cut and structure. The wine wa
$177
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The most south-westerly of all the Chablis Premiers Crus, Les Beauregards is one of its coolest due to its altitude and location at the end of Chablis’ Left Bank. It’s also one of the steepest (meaning the clay soils are shallow, and the limestone marl is never far from the surface) and one of the highest, rising to 300 metres. While this parcel has been in the family’s hands for decades, it was replanted in 2001 with mass-selection cuttings from Stéphane Moreau’s most treasured vine
$177
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Chassagne rouge is moving up in the world. Growers like Olivier Lamy, Thierry Pillot and Alex and Benoît Moreau (to mention only those producers we are following closely) show the heights this often-undervalued appellation can achieve through best-practice farming and excellent winemaking. The warmer seasons, too, have been helpful, bringing more approachable tannins when the wines are young. It’s from two small parcels of 50-year-old vines below the village. The 2022 fermented with 10% bunch
$177
$170ea in any 3+
$163ea in any 6+
Chassagne rouge is moving up in the world. Growers like Olivier Lamy, Thierry Pillot and Alex and Benoît Moreau (to mention only those producers we are following closely) show the heights this often-undervalued appellation can achieve through best-practice farming and excellent winemaking. The warmer seasons, too, have been helpful, bringing more approachable tannins when the wines are young. It’s from two small parcels of 50-year-old vines below the village. The 2022 fermented with 10% bunch
$177
$170ea in any 3+
$163ea in any 6+
A slightly cooler if still ripe nose reflects notes of white pepper, plenty of citrus influence and discreet shellfish nuances. Here too the palate impression of the middleweight flavors is one of richness and generosity yet the supporting acidity is both a little firmer and a bit brighter as well. This delicious effort could use better depth but more should reasonably develop with a few years of aging. Allen Meadows, Burghound 90-92 Points
$180
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A slightly riper if still agreeably fresh nose freely offer up its array of white and yellow orchard fruit, citrus rind, apple and tidal pool hints. The palate impression of the medium weight flavors possesses more volume still with a lovely sense of richness and minerality that adds a sense of lift to the very dry but not really austere finale. A few years of cellaring should see this drinking well. Allen Meadows, Burghound 89-92 Points
$180
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This gorgeous old-vine Chassagne rouge hails from a single 0.94-hectare parcel of 50-plus-year-old Pinot Noir vines grown on the red clays of Les Grandes Terres on the Santenay side of Chassagne. The clay-rich soil has long produced some of the finest and silkiest reds of the village. The 2022 fermented with 50% bunches, bringing perfume and extra-fine tannins. It’s an incredibly pretty, floral, red-and-blue-fruited expression of Chassagne. It’s already drinking remarkably well!“M
$180
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Domaine Jean-Jacques Nuits-Saint-Georges ‘Fleurieres’ 2019

Pinot Noir | Nuits-Saint-Georges, France

“One third whole bunch vinification. Medium deep purple with quite an elegant bouquet for south side Nuits-St-Georges, starting with delicacy and finishing with much more powerful dark fruit, and very good length of flavour.”Jasper Morris
$182
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The 2023 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons bursts with aromas of white flowers and peach, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and suave palate that's pure, seamless and charming.William Kelley, The Wine Advocate 91 PointsA discreet application of wood sets off notes of white pepper, acacia blossom, spice and just enough Chablis typicity to be interesting. On the palate there is again both good volume and refinement to the generously proportioned middle weight flavors that possess a sa
$182
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A more elegant and slightly cooler nose freely reveals its aromas of shellfish, white flower and mineral reduction. The sleeker and more intense medium-bodied flavors flash evident minerality on the nicely punchy finish where a touch of lemon zest-tinged acidity helps keep the proper balance. This does though need better depth so a few years of keeping are recommended. Allen Meadows, Burghound 88-91 Points
$182
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Stéphane Magnien Morey Saint Denis ‘Grains Fins’ 2022

Pinot Noir | Morey-Saint-Denis, Burgundy

There's a great purity & vibrancy to Magnien's wines. His Faconnières is superb! A fresh, bright and airy nose reflects notes of mostly red berries and newly turned earth. The supple, round and agreeably textured flavors are not especially dense but the finish is also inviting despite being dusty and youthfully austere. A few years of patience should be beneficial. Drink: 2028+Allen Meadows, Burghound 88-91 Points
$183
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Domaine Comte Armand Volnay 2022

Pinot Noir | Volnay, Burgundy

Here the expressive nose features a broader range of spice elements to the ripe and fresh aromas of cassis, black raspberry and violet scents. The notably finer but not denser medium-bodied flavors possess a lovely texture thanks to the relatively fine-grained tannins shaping the youthfully austere finale. This velvet-textured effort should also be capable of repaying mid-term keeping. (from Les Grands Champs and Les Famines) 2028+ ♥ OutstandingAllen Meadows, Burghound (89-91) Points
$183
$173ea in any 3+
$163ea in any 6+