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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The domaine holds two priceless hectares in Valmur, which makes it (we’re guessing) one of the largest holders of this Grand Cru, which sits between Grenouilles and Les Clos. With the 1934 plantings in La Pièce au Comte now replanted, Valmur houses the domaine’s oldest vines, planted in 1947, along with some vines planted between 1962 and 1974 and another parcel between 1995 and 2000. Just as significant is the exposure: Bessin’s parcel lies on the southern side of the Grand Cru, in
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A wonderfully spicy nose offers up its aromas of both red and dark raspberry, violet and soft floral nuances. There is once again a lovely texture along with fine detail to the more refined middle weight flavors that deliver very good persistence on the youthfully austere and slightly grippy finale. 2030+Allen Meadows, Burghound
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We really sense the aromatic freshness of the Chardonnay coming from its acidity and the minerality from its mainly mineral terroir. All nurtured by oak notes mainly from foudres in which this wine was vinified and matured. The Margoté plot is located to the South of the Rully appellation. This area is cold and windy. We can almost smell the wind while tasting this wine.The palate is powerful with a round and precise texture full of contained energy. The « mineral » finish is the terroir
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Located to the north of the Premiers Crus de Rully hill, the vines here are cultivated on one of the warmest terroirs of Rully with a South, South-eastern exposure.This exposure translates itself with notes of white flowers, honey and fresh citrus fruits.On the palate, it is the energy coming from the alliance of the Chardonnay and the terroir of the Rabourcé which surprises, with an aromatic freshness enhanced on the finish by light bitter notes creating a beautiful expression of salin
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The nose is refined, persistent and offering ethereal aromas of peach and mandarin, supported by an enjoyable oak presence.The palate is fresh and the definition of terroir becomes clearer as the tasting progresses. Rich flavours linked to aromas from Chardonnay, then you move to bitter skins associated with the bitterness from new barrels which render the wine very salivating. This length extends the quality of the fruit and the expression of terroir, together with almost marly notes, refre
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Bright and vibrant ruby colour. On the nose there is a seductive and aromatic bouquet shared between aromas of red fruits such as black cherry, raspberry and a finish of floral and spicy notes.The palate distinguishes itself with freshness nourished by a fully integrated acidity which reveals fruity and once again spicy flavours of this wine. The palate is silky and balanced thanks to ripe and fine tannins. They soften the palate and lengthen its sensation of rich and elegant texture. They n
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The 2023 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cents Vignes bursts with aromas of raspberries, plums, spices and petals. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and nicely concentrated, with sweet tannins and good depth at the core, this is a site that does well in years where there isn't appreciable hydric stress.William Kelley, The Wine Advocate 91-93 PointsI tasted the 2023 Beaune Les Cents Vignes ler Cru from a new 500-liter barrel. It has a seductive nose with crushed strawberry, raspberry and floral scents
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Aromas of smoky berries, blood orange and spices introduce the 2023 Beaune 1er Cru Les Tuvilains, a medium to full-bodied, layered and youthfully structured wine built around chalky tannins. Like its 2022 predecessor, this is one of the more chunky wines in the range this year.William Kelley, The Wine Advocate 91-93 PointsNote: from 80+ year old vinesFresh and ripe yet cool aromas include those of red and dark currant, newly turned earth and a hint of underbrush. There is fine vo
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Deep and concentrated, the 2019 Pommard 1er Cru La Platière evokes aromas of rose petals, red berries, Indian spices, raw cocoa and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, layered and vibrant, with powdery tannins and lively acids, it's the most elegant young Platière that I've tasted from the domaine.William Kelley, 91-93 Points
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“Royal purple, the nose has some real concentration in a relatively ripe configuration. Certainly this Evocelles starts out as plump and rich, then with firmer tannins. Dark fruit. Not quite together yet but packs a punch and is persistent.” Jasper Morris, 90-93 Points
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Darker and a little more brooding than the Savigny 1er. Opening beautifully in the glass with impressive mid-palate weight. Flowing and fanning out. Again, impeccably resolved and layered wine. Deftly handled stalk use yielding lovely spices and a hint of musk. Delicious drinking.Paul Kaan, Wine DecodedThe 2022 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cents Vignes bursts with aromas of plummy fruit, sweet spices and crushed mint, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and charming palate that's meltin
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“One of the more muscular, powerful wines in the range this year is the 2022 Beaune 1er Cru Les Tuvilains, a medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated red redolent of dark berries, cherries and plums.”William Kelley, The Wine Advocate 91-93 Points“Unlike other cuvées, the 2022 Beaune Tuvilains 1er Cru was completely de-stemmed, although it gives the impression that a few stems are 'in the mix.' The palate is very well-balanced, with a patina of new oak that needs to be subs
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