Red Burgundy

The 2018 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Derrière La Tour is showing nicely, mingling aromas of cherries and red berries with hints of potpourri and spices. Medium to full-bodied, bright and fleshy, the combination of a warm vintage and a cooler, higher-altitude site is felicitous.

{***}{region}St Aubin{region}
{color}Red{color}                      {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}

{ratings} [] Wine Advocate:: 90/100

{ratings}

{***}

This is rented from the same owner as the Vignes Franches; vines are also 60 years old. This is the most complex of Dominique’s trio: he considers it the best vineyard in Beaune. The wine is positive and structured, but with finesse, too. The red fruits are expressed more as spice, with a slightly ferric undertone. 

{***}

{region}Beaune{region} {color}Red{color} {maturity}ready-improve{maturity}

{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text} {vintage}2019{vintage}

{ratings}
 {ratings}        {***}

Brian was limited to 50% whole-bunch here; it would have been more, but there was no space in the tank. Champans can tend towards the rustic and tannic, and Brian softens the edges to give a softer, gentler and more delicate expression with silky tannins and lovely, perfumed lift. Drink 2023-2029.

{***}{region} Volnay {region}
{color} Red {color}                                                              

 {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}{***}

As Pommards go, Les Pézerolles is rather Volnaysien in style, thanks to its limestone soils, which give a more elegant and delicate expression. The fruit here is most definitely red and this is pretty, perfumed and charming, but with a serious, chalky limestone structure. Drink 2024-2032.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}        {***}

Domaine Boisson-Vadot, run by father and son team of Bernard and Pierre Boisson, is one of the rising stars in Meursault. The philosophy of the Domaine revolves around careful, hands-on vineyard management to coax the greatest potential of each vintage out of the various plots, and low-impact winemaking in the cellars that allows the unique terroir of each vineyard to surface. New oak is very minimal, no more than 30% for the top cuvées, and much more restraint in  the village wines and in Bourgogne Blanc.

Pierre Boisson produces a village Meursault from his grandmother’s vineyards (50 year old vines in the lieu-dits of Criots and Perchots) that is hailed an model wine for the appellation. 

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color}Red{color}              {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Vinous:: 94/100

{ratings}

{***}

Sérafin’s vines sit within a clos of sorts here, in what used to be a cemetery. The vines are 50 years old and the wine has a fine-boned structure wrapped like a belt around a weighty, spicy middle. This is quite a substantial wine, but it will age well. Drink 2026-2032.

{***}
{region}Gevrey-Chambertin{region}
{color}Red{color}

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text} 

{vintage}2018{vintage}

{***}

A very pretty and airy nose features notes of red cherry, raspberry and spice with a shading of soft wood and earth. On the palate though this is not nearly as concentrated though there is still perfectly good concentration and a sleek muscularity on the vibrant, detailed and lingering finish. While this is by no means light, it is a Charmes built more along the lines of finesse than power. Drink 2028+

Burghound (Apr 2018)

{***}{region} Gevrey-Chambertin {region}
{color}Red{color}                                                             

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings} 

[] Burghound:: 91-94/100

{ratings}

{***}

In Etienne’s hands Roncière is always an elegant and red-fruited expression of Nuits, even in a warm vintage such as 2018. Red fruit abounds on the caressing palate, while the finish is spicy and refreshing, with a cooling sage-mint feel. Drink 2024-2030.

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges{region}
{color}Red{color}        {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

Discreet but not invisible wood and menthol influences set off the much riper aromas of cassis, plum, black raspberry and game. There is excellent intensity to the mineral-driven and overtly powerful middle weight plus flavors that offer excellent depth and persistence on the firmly structured finale. This is really quite good and worth checking out provided you cellar it for at least 5 to 7 years first.  93 Points - Burghound

{***}
{region}Morey-St Denis{region}
{color}Red{color}                              

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}

{ratings} [] Burghound:: 93/100

{ratings}

{***}

This is from the northern end of Chambolle, immediately under Bonnes Mares, with which it shares some personality: this is a stronger style of Chambolle. There’s plenty of intent about the wine, and it has the shoulders to carry it off. A forthright and assertive wine, the slightly ferric tannins play a key role, underpinned by spicy oak. Drink 2027-2038. 

{***}
{region}Chambolle-Musigny{region}
{color}Red{color}

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text} 

{vintage}2019{vintage}

{ratings} {ratings}

{***}

Firm reduction knocks down the underlying fruit at present. There is more size and power to the equally mineral-driven flavors that aren't especially dense, though neither are they dilute, while offering outstanding depth and persistence on the notably firm finale. Patience suggested. Drink 2034+, Burghound (Apr 2019)

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color}Red{color}              {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Burghound:: 91-94/100

{ratings}

{***}

A graceful tint of pale purple. Floral, with appealing sweet red fruit, clearly some concentration to the cherry and raspberry fruit, while there is clearly much more to emerge later on.
Jasper Morris MW - Wine Buyer

{***}{region}Morey-St Denis{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                                  

                              {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2013{vintage}{***}

Selectively picked from the oldest vines of Clos des Corvées (the name “Clos des Corvées Eis reserved exclusively for the first selective pick of “millerandés Egrapes), a wine of enormous body and depth.

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges{region}
{color}Red{color}        {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

{***}
{region}Volnay{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}

{ratings} [] Wine Advocate: 89-91/100{

ratings

}

{***}

Vinification with the stems gives these wines a notable character on the nose, with floral, spice and rose petals all coming to the fore, and an impressive density on the palate. This is a very graceful wine, and the finish shows a touch of tannin to maintain structure.
Jasper Morris MW

Domaine de Montille picked between the 18th and 26th September in 2010. The red wines, made by American Brian Sieve (one of two winemakers in this catalogue born in Indianapolis!) under the surveillance of Etienne de Montille, now show a consistency of style and quality that perhaps was not entirely there a few years ago. The whites are the responsibility of Etienne’s sister Alix and maintain the class of recent times. Together they have produced a fine result in 2010.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                             

  {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2010{vintage}
{ratings}   [] The Wine Advocate:: 91-93/100     {***}

Clear, bright and glowing purple this seductive looking Volnay from Domaine de Montille does not disappoint. Very fine, soft and elegant fruit in the foreground is followed by fruit that builds steadily on the palate and keeps going all the way through.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                             

  {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}
{ratings}   [] The Wine Advocate:: 91-93/100     {***}

Vaucrains is situated in the heart of the appellation just south of the town of Nuits itself. It sits above Les St Georges and Les Cailles and intensity and minerality are its hallmarks. The young genius that is David Croix has fashioned this brilliant wine for Camille Giroud.

Giroud's Nuits-St Georges has a notably tough, dense structure, which is the terroir of Vaucrains speaking. Sensitive handling means that it has avoided any feeling of roughness  Ea really grown-up version of the Maranges, perhaps?

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges{region}
{color}Red{color}        {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}

{ratings} [] The Wine Advocate:: 91-94/100

[] Burghound :: 91-94/100

{ratings}

{***}

There was only about half the normal yield this year (whatever that means at the moment), with only 30 barrels made. Tasting the separate components of younger (25-year-old) and older (65- to 80-year-old) vines, as well as the vin de presse , really highlighted where Paul is aiming to take the Clos. A new vertical press leaves more berries intact, and thus more sugar. There is an unusual level of suppleness (even in the vin de presse. This is really rather wonderful, a great terroir evolving with the times. Drink 2023-2035.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For Laying Down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 93-95/100{ratings}        {***}

The 2015 Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru La Richemone Vieilles Vignes "Cuvée Ultra" has another vibrant, generous bouquet with ample red cherry, cassis, crushed violet and mineral scents. It is very pure, almost sorbet-like. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe black cherry and blackcurrant fruit laced with a pinch of white pepper and minerals. Like Christophe's other 2015s, it offers panache in spades, with a caressing finish that lingers long in the mouth, a residue of orange rind on the aftertaste. This is excellent. (NM) - Wine Advocate

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges{region}
{color}Red{color}        {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}

{ratings} [] Vinous:: 94/100

[] Burghound :: 92-94/100

[] Wine Advocate:: 92-94/100

[] Wine Spectator:: 95/100

{ratings}

{***}

Medium depth of colour with a delicate, fragrant nose, very glossy, a delicious volume of fruit, fair depth, brisk red fruit with plenty of acidity. Fully ready but holding up nicely; no hurry.

Jasper Morris MW, insideburgundy.com (January 2018)

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges {region}
{color}Red{color}        {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2002{vintage}

{ratings} [] Jasper Morris MW:: 91/100

{ratings}

{***}

{***}{region} Vougeot {region}
{color} Red {color}                                                              

 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}{***}

The Domaine de Courcel produces Pommard with very traditional methods. Wines undergo a relatively warm fermentation, with at least three weeks of maceration and two to three punchings of the "cap" per day, resulting in a fine extraction of fruit, colour and tannins. The wines have been made by Vosne-Romanée vigneron Yves Confuron since 1996. The grapes are vinified with their stems after a severe sorting process. They are then matured in barrel for 18 months or more, without racking. There is not much reliance on new oak. The resulting wines have subtlety and richness that accompany a remarkable ability to age.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}
{ratings}

[] Allen Meadows, Burghound:: 92/100

{ratings} {***}

The deeper clay soil here has preserved an energetic, mentholated freshness, which provides an engaging counterpoint to the black cherry fruit and bitter dark chocolate notes. The attack is friendly and generous, but there is serious structure behind, and this will require patience. Drink 2025-2031.

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges{region}
{color}Red{color}        {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

A ripe yet cool nose features notes of cherry liqueur, raspberry, stone and soil-tones, all of which can be found on the rich, generous and beautifully well-detailed middle weight flavors that exude an equally fine minerality on the driving, punch and strikingly long finish where the hallmark touch of austerity in a young Taillepieds is in evidence. A lovely effort of class and grace that is less forbidding than usual. *Sweet Spot, Outstanding* - Burghound

{***}{region}Volnay{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                              

 {maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}
{ratings}

[] The Wine Advocate:: 90-91/100 

[] Burghound:: 93/100 

[] Wine Spectator:: 90/100 

{ratings} {***}

In a vintage in which so many wines are all about intensity, 2009 Marquis d’Angerville’s Volnay Champans (magnum) impresses for its perfume, delineated fruit and fabulous overall balance. Refined and impeccable in its sense of restraint, the 2009 is so very pretty and expressive. Silky tannins round out the racy, polished finish. What a gorgeous wine this is. - Vinous

{***}{region}Volnay{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                              

 {maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}
{ratings}

[] Vinous:: 94/100 

[] Burghound:: 93/100 

[] Wine Spectator:: 93/100 

{ratings} {***}

The 1998 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Saint-Georges 1er Cru has an impressive bouquet, one that is both fresh and focused with redcurrant, juniper, clove and light cigar box notes. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine and noble tannin. The texture is quite chalky. There is a surfeit of energy and tension towards the finessed finish. Bon vin! Tasted at the Gouges retrospective at La Cabotte. 

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges {region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}1999{vintage}

{ratings}[] Burghound:: 91-93/100

[] Wine Advocate:: 89-91/100

[] Jancis Robinson:: 17.5/20

{ratings}

{***}

The yield is down by 40 percent but Frédéric likes its character. The wine is structured, with a lovely fresh top note, a hint of spice; it’s neat and controlled with a bit of crunch. This is very silky for a Nuits-St Georges. Frédéric kindly also showed the 2015 at the same time. By comparison it is full-bodied and savoury, clearly a wine for the long term and needing time. The 2016 will be drinking beautifully until the 2015 is ready. Drink 2021-2030.

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges {region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}

[] Wine Advocate:: 93/100

{ratings}

{***}

The final blend has not been put together yet but we have a good approximation of what this outstanding wine will deliver. Benjamin has decided to follow the vintage and make use of the abundant tannins, resulting in a massive, marvellously-structured wine which may well last 50 years. It displays a daunting amount of fruit right across the palate and a colossal tannic backbone. Rarely have we tasted a wine with this amount of drive and energy. Drink 2020-2050.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 90/100{ratings}        {***}

Bernard Dugat lost around 30% of his 2014 Pommard la Levrière Vieilles Vignes due to hail damage, and it necessitated a lot of sorting. Still, it was worthwhile because it has quite an intense, pure bouquet of blackberries and wild strawberry despite just a little reduction. The palate is bolstered by firm, grainy tannin on the entry. There is good weight in the mouth, a little oaky on the finish but there is a keen line of acidity. - Wine Advocate

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For Laying Down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}
{ratings}
 [] The Wine Advocate:: 90/100{ratings}        {***}

You have to work on this in the glass, but it’s well worth the effort. It’s initially reticent on the nose, but what emerges are the purest red fruit aromas – très Pinot. Its fresh acidity and resistant tannins speak of the vineyard’s 300-metre altitude and limestone mother-rock. Drink 2026-2032. 

{***}{region}Corton{region}
{color}Red{color}                      {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}

{ratings} [] Burghound:: 92-95/100

{ratings}

{***}

A cool site giving low pH wines (higher acidity). Mid purple in colour with no great depth, an elegant light red fruit nose, strict, fresh raspberry and alpine strawberry. - Jasper Morris MW

{***}{region}Gevrey-Chambertin{region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               

 {maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}
{ratings}      [] Jasper Morris :: 89-93/100   
 
{ratings}{***}

The vine comes from a great gene pool. It is regular and has many millerandage berries. The wine has the typical structure of Nuits-Saint-Georges, but the tannins are elegant and reflect the near Vosne-Romanée. The Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Cras is tasty and dynamic, always with a good balance. The flesh, very present, with notes of juicy black fruit (blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants) is enriched with floral nuances (elder, heather) and spicy.

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges {region}
{color}Red{color}        {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}{***}

This old vines cuvée comes from a tiny parcel of vines nearly 79 years in age that were planted by Massale Selection. The sub-soil here is chalk but there's limestone and clay up above. This is a structured red Burgundy that's powerful and will benefit from age. The majority of the domaine's vines are old vines (Massale) planted in the 1930s and 40s. Naturally the yields are miniscule for this reason making this wine all the more rare.

{***}
{region}Vosne-Romanée{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}

{ratings}   

{ratings}

{***}

The 2017 Pommard 1er Cru Les Grands Epenots is showing beautifully from bottle offering up a deep bouquet of ripe berry fruit plums and cherries mingled with soil tones and hints of blood orange. Medium to full-bodied with fine mid-palate volume and powdery structuring tannins this is a lively elegant Grands Epenots that has realized the potential it showed in barrel. As I wrote last year it's always a pleasure to visit Domaine Pierre Morey one of my favorite addresses in the Côte de Beaune. This year I revisited the 2017s from bottle and found them showing superbly confirming all the promise they showed in 2018. And from barrel the young 2018s were beautifully balanced displaying considerable charm. For once the cellars are full and Anne Morey made no secret of the fact that the vintage is characterized by abundance; but all the 2018s are nicely concentrated and classically proportioned and I suspect they will be open for inspection sooner than the serious youthfully introverted 2017s. As usual long élevage is the order of the day here and most of these wines won't be bottled before the spring. - Wine Advocate

{***}
{region}Volnay{region}
{color}Red{color}                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}

{***}

{***}{region} Gevrey-Chambertin {region}
{color}Red{color}                                                              

{maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings} []Burghound:: 91-94/100

[]Jancis Robinson:: 17/20

{ratings}

{***}

Pierre-Yves Colin described the 2016 vintage as 'one where the growing season is still painful to think about as we had almost no vines that were spared from frost damage. It's depressing to know at the very beginning that your yields are going to be seriously reduced, which in this case means that they were off between -20 and -90%. Add to this a virulent attack of mildew that kept all of us constantly on edge as the wet weather made it difficult to treat exactly when we wanted. Thankfully the second half of July, August and September were basically ideal and in the end the vines managed to ripen what fruit remained to more than respectable levels. In fact, the way I choose to look at it is that the fine weather in the second half of the growing season didn't save the quantities but it did save the quality. We chose to begin picking on the 22nd of September and the fruit was so clean that there was essentially no sorting of any consequence. Sugars were very good as were the associated acid levels. Despite this some wines refused to cooperate in the cellar as some didn't want to finish their alcoholic fermentations and others balked at finishing their malos. As to the quality, I would describe my 2016s as ranging from very good to excellent though they're not monuments.

Allen Meadows, Burghound.com 

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges {region}
{color}Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings}

{ratings}

{***}

Part of a contract by, which they run the vineyards and then buy the grapes. The vines are well situated at the top, according to Pierre. 90% whole bunch vinification. Rich dense purple, with a rather reductive nose at the moment. Very concentrated colour and the nose cleans up. This is a dense Suchots, which doesn’t close down in the middle, but the tannins are a little rougher than expected at the finish  Ethough this might be the reduction speaking. If that is the explanation then this wine may well merit a fourth star rating.

{***}{region} Nuits-St Georges{region}
{color}Red{color}        {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2020{vintage}{***}

Interestingly, this seems to possess elements of all three of the preceding wines as the cool and ultra-elegant nose exhibits a broad range of spice and floral elements on the black cherry and plum-suffused aromas. There is almost painful intensity to the chiseled, focused and stony medium weight flavors that coat the palate with dry extract on the youthfully austere, powerful and very serious finish. This is very clearly built to age and a wine that should really not be touched for at least a decade. In a word, terrific.  - Burghound

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Le Clos was the first parcel that Duroché picked. It delivers plenty of raspberry, wild strawberry and damp earthy aromas, though perhaps not showing quite the same delineation as the Gevrey Champs at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin, a lovely bead of acidity and more flesh than the Champs, as well as a little more depth on the finish. Very approachable in style, this should drink nicely over the next 12 to 15 years. - Vinous

The vines for this cuvée are 70 years old on average, with some nudging 100 years. The parcels are neighbours to the Grands and Premiers Crus of Griottes, Petite Chapelle, Crais and Champeaux. There is a step up in concentration versus the regular bottling, with greater detail and complexity, and a lovely salivating freshness to finish. Drink 2024-2030.

{***}
{region}Gevrey-Chambertin{region}
{color}Red{color}

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text} 

{vintage}2018{vintage}

{***}

These are 80- to 90-year-old vines at the eastern end of Gevrey’s alluvial fan, from La Platière, as well as Roncevie and Le Fourneau. There’s a splendid intensity and freshness; the tannins transcend any grippy notes, feeling almost granitic or quartz-like. This is arguably of Premier Cru quality. There are Griotte cherry notes, and a palate of vitality and drive. Drink 2025-2035. 

A fresh and reserved nose that is airy, cool and admirably pure while displaying plenty of floral notes on the restrained red and dark berry fruit scents. The mineral-infused, tight and beautifully well-detailed middle weight flavors possess a taut muscularity on the relatively masculine, rich and full-bodied finish This is a classic Beaux Bruns that is borderline robust while delivering excellent complexity so note well that this will require plenty of patience. Drink: 2024+ *Outstanding* Burghound

Not quite as deep in colour as some, this is classy and discreet, almost ethereal, whilst being simply elegant on the finish.
Jasper Morris MW, Berrys' Burgundy Director Given that the sugar levels are not high in 2011, Ghislaine Barthod expected something lighter this year. However, the wines have come out with good texture and density. While accessible in the medium term, they show an attractive freshness and energy which puts them into a different class from the attractive 2007s. Chambolle-Musigny has done well in 2011, since the style of the appellation appreciates the fresher aspect of lower alcohol levels.

Dark shades of blue/blackish fruit grace the palate in Lafarge's 2012 Volnay Clos des Chenes. This is an unusually supple, resonant young Clos des Chenes. Whereas the Caillerets possesses energy from its tannin and minerality, the Clos des Chenes is round and virtually seamless in texture, with all of the structural elements seemingly folded into the fruit. The 2012 is perhaps a bit atypical in its richness, but it is a real stunner just the same. - Vinous

This was the first of Ghislaine’s vineyards to be harvested this year, sitting a bit lower on the slope. It’s a more opulent style, generous, but still with a good backbone of tannin, taking this element from its proximity to Morey. Drink 2022-2028.

Ghislaine Barthod’s domaine originated in the 1920s with Marcel Noëllat whose daughter married Gaston Barthod, a soldier stationed in Dijon who came to buy some wine and got the girl as well. He gave up military life for the vineyards in 1960. His daughter, Ghislaine, and her partner Louis Boillot bought their current premises overlooking Premier Cru Les Feusselottes in 1986. Though they share the team who work the vineyards, the vinification and commercial aspects of their businesses are kept completely separate. The domaine has an incomparable range of ChambolleMusigny terroirs, with eight separate Premier Cru bottlings.

Given the carnage here last year, one could have been concerned that yields might have been high, but these worries were needless. Although there was a certain amount of green harvesting on the younger vines, the old vines (of which there are lots here), if properly pruned and with excess buds eliminated, regulated themselves to reasonable yields well below 50hl/ha. The harvest started on 3rd September and was completed in eight days, with everything beautifully healthy. For Ghislaine, 2016 was about energy; 2017 is about purity.

Vincent and Aline are both native Burgundians, very attached to their family and conscious of the rich and cherished heritage they have received from their predecessors. It is this heritage that they wish to transmit to their children, from the work of the vine to the production of the wine, aware that each bunch of grapes remains a gift from nature, a gift from God. Vincent’s heart is in Meursault, not far from its church tower, where he grew up and learned from his father and grandfather the winemaker’s craft. It is in this village that since 1990, with the aid of his wife, Aline, he has practiced his trade with passion. Vincent’s energy and determination allowed them to acquire multiple new parcels along the way, in addition to the family vines passed down to him from his parents.

{***}{region}Corton{region}
{color}Red{color}                      

{maturity}laying-down{maturity} {maturity-text}For laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2005{vintage}{***}

{***}{region} Gevrey-Chambertin {region}
{color}Red{color}                                                              

{maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2016{vintage}

{ratings} 

{ratings}

{***}

Philippe Pacalet buys grapes from a high site planted with old vines in Corton Bressandes, making the wine for only the second vintage in 2018. The grip and muscularity of the site combine nicely with the sappy, stemmy 100% whole bunches to produce a savoury, complex, chalky wine wit floral, red cherry and bramble fruit and the faintest echo of oak. (Tim Atkin)

The 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint Jacques has a very refined bouquet that needs a little encouragement: blackberry, seaweed, gravel scents and a smear of boysenberry. The palate is medium-bodied with firm grippy tannins. There is still just a touch of hardness here, but the finish has a beguiling candied note that just enlivens the senses: hints of black plum and hoisin. This needs a decade in the cellar so that it can really show its stuff.
Neal Martin - 27/02/2014

{***}
{region}Gevrey-Chambertin{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-improve{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2015{vintage}

{ratings} [] Wine Advocate:: 90-92/100

{ratings}

{***}

This is deliciously moreish, with sweet strawberry fruit and cranberry bite for lift. The final blend will also include some wine aged in large foudre, which adds a heartier, richer texture and rounds out the wine. Simple but not one-dimensional. Drink 2019-2023.

It is fair to say that Ben is very happy with 2017, describing it as the kind of vintage he would sign up for every year. The whites, he says, are beautiful, and not far from 2014 in style, with purity, finesse, great definition and balance. He describes the reds as pretty, appealing and with body to support ageing, while highlighting the importance of lower-yielding old vines for serious ageing. He eloquently explains that there is no “black sheep Ein 2017, that no village has underperformed. For reason of space, the limited volumes of Grands Crus have not been included in this brochure. 

{***}
{region}Burgundy{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}ready-keep{maturity}
{maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}
{***}

Benjamin Leroux is perhaps best known as a négociant, but he now owns a significant proportion of his own vineyards. He bought fruit from this 0.5-hectare parcel until eventually buying the land in 2021. The soil is light and sandy with brown gravel, giving a perfumed and pretty wine that has a light and delicate structure. Five barrels were made in 2017. The nose is spicy with open red-berry fruit, with floral aromas that follow through onto the palate. This is a pretty, pure and transparent expression of Beaune.

Drink now to 2027

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Planted at 36,000 vines per hectare Les Evocelles must be among the highest-density plantings in France. As a result, the vines compete for water and nutrients producing small, highly flavoured berries. The wine shows ripe berries with rich cherry notes, the finesse of a fine tannic structure and a finish that continues for a very long time. The 100% whole clusters are easily blended with the ripeness of the fruit.

This superb domaine grows in reputation and in size: this year sees the first vintage of Nuits-St Georges, Clos de Thorey. Look out for even further additions in the next two years. Winemaker Pierre Vincent’s style is for lighter colours and very sensual wines, and he has done a cracking job again in 2012; a vintage which supported the plentiful use of whole bunch fermentation. The domaine is certified organic and fully biodynamic.

Drink now

Berry Bros. & Rudd

A brilliant, deep, dark purple, with layered chocolate characters. It’s difficult to pin down at the moment, but the wine is quite weighty with a touch of smoky notes.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director

As far as supply is concerned it’s a topsy turvy position in 2012. Overall, Ben has made plenty of wine but some cuvées are missing this year. The best volumes are with the Chassagne-Montrachet Premiers Crus, which are always a strong point chez Benjamin. From a standing start in 2007 Benjamin has made truly exciting progress, and has grown his business a little more quickly than expected as great opportunities have come his way. Yet each year he still doesn’t seem to have quite enough wine to satisfy demand.

Relatively subtle wood treatment allows the notably floral red berry fruit, humus and earth-inflected aromas to shine. There is excellent volume to the delicious and tension-filled medium-weight plus flavours that exhibit fine depth and length on the moderately austere and saline-inflected finish. This is quite firm and somewhat rustic and the supporting tannins aren't especially refined, so once again patience will be required.

Drink from 2026 onward

Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (April 2016)

A rich, dense purple colour, this is magisterial. The nose holds immense possibilities though it may not wish to speak of the detail just yet. This is beautifully homogenous on the palate – a gorgeous, glowing, graceful Epeneaux that just reminds you in the aftertaste that it comes from Pommard. It offers the essence of raspberry but in the sumptuous, red-fruit style of the great vintages of the past. Drink 2024-2040.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Paul Zinetti’s second harvest at the domaine has at least given him a few more grapes to play with than 2014 and fruit of exceptional quality. Nonetheless 2015 was once again a very short crop because of the previous hail damage, delivering just one third of what used to be normal. The grapes were mostly de-stemmed, although some whole bunches were used, but always a minority.

A fine, bright mid-purple, this has a restrained bouquet but then a palate laden with rich, ripe, supple fruit and a gorgeous mineral finish. This is as good as I have tasted here. There is an exceptional intensity of dark fruit, dry and dense, with similar tannins to ‘05 but a bit of the juiciness of 2010. Drink 2023-2030.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Nicolas and David Rossignol report a healthy crop in quality and quantity, though a little reduced in the Grands Crus. They began on 7th September, using around 50 percent whole bunches, and avoided any punching down during vinification as there was no need to search for extraction, preferring a daily pumping-over and aeration. As ever there is only a modest use of new oak and sulphur levels are kept low. They have made unquestionably brilliant wines this year.

One third whole cluster. Decent solid fruit on the nose here, rugged perhaps. Dark fruit with a redder final touch, a mite of spice, good tannins, slightly taking the fore over acidity, the fruit stays equal to it and continues on well behind.

The 2015 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru, which included 50% whole bunch fruit, has a refined and elegant nose, quite backward and quite Mazi-Chambertin in style. This is not as outgoing as many other Charmes-Chambertin 2015s, yet I find it more cerebral. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent, fleshy and charming texture that seduces the senses. It does not quite deliver the depth of other grand crus on the finish, but it is endowed with presence and persistence, the whole bunch component lending another earthier, perhaps even rustic dimension compared to previous vintages. This is a very well-crafted Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru. - Wine Advocate

An even spicier nose flashes a dark aromatic profile that gives way to supple, round and easy-going flavors that possess very good mid-palate density, all wrapped in a dusty, firm and youthfully austere finish that exhibits just a bit more energy. *Outstanding, Top Value* - Burghound

One of the most beautiful vineyards of Terroir, with its more than 85 years of life, lives vibrant in the contrast between the freshness of the winds of the Combe and the heat held by the sunny pebbles of the ground. 

{***}
{region}Vosne-Romanée{region}
{color}Red{color}
{maturity}laying-down{maturity}
{maturity-text}For Laying down{maturity-text}
{vintage}2018{vintage}

{ratings}   

{ratings}

{***}

This Pommard Grands Epenots is a deep rich red, it has a subtle hint of earth on the nose, followed by the rich aromas of black cherries and with a touch of pepper. Very long finish, with great soft tanins.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1996{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}        {***}

The vines for this cuvée are 70 years old on average, with some nudging 100 years. The parcels are neighbours to the Grands and Premiers Crus of Griottes, Petite Chapelle, Crais and Champeaux. The nose is quite dense and smoky, while the palate has good detail and freshness.

The harvest was done early and quickly here, starting on 6th September and finished by 12th. Karine Sérafin explained that the estate was harvesting earlier than before, to keep more freshness in the wines, and also working more with leaf coverage. The old vines negated any need to green harvest and yields are up by only 20 percent from 2016, but otherwise Karine and her cousin Frédérique are intent on preserving the individuality of Christian Sérafin’s style for vins de garde, with 100 percent new oak for everything upwards from the Gevrey Vieilles Vignes.

Drink 2023 - 2027

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This is a blend of vineyards around Marsannay, along with 10- to 30-year-old vines from the best sites of Clos du Roy, Longeroies and Es Chezots, aged in 500-litre barrels. There’s 30% whole-bunch this year; the wine is fresh, juicy and straightforward, with no suggestion of heat or drought. It’s a welcoming introduction to the joys of Marsannay.

Drink 2022 - 2029

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This comes from the lower Les Famines vineyard and La Gigotte, which sits just above it. Just half a normal crop was harvested this year. The style of the vintage seems so in sync with Marc-Olivier's. Delicacy and florality are the watchwords, but the persistence of characteristics, so modestly proposed, are delightful.
Drink 2023 - 2030

 
Berry Bros. & Rudd

This wine is from three parcels in Vosne-Romanée: a generic section of Combe d’Orveaux, La Croix Blanche and Les Pâquiers. In 2021, it also has a third of the production of the village Vosne included in it. The wine is bursting with fruit, with high tones of cherry and cranberry. These flavours are all carried through to the palate which is full and rounded with a nice sapid twist.

Drink 2023 - 2030

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Although it is from a sandy vineyard, this wine always surprises with its creamy texture. This is even more apparent since Jean-Oierre's adoption of his en pont and nuages techniques. The wine is very floral this year, alongside the signature creaminess. A mineral grip unfolds on the finish making it a very complete wine. Drink 2025-2035.

The benchmark wine of this exciting domaine, the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune, La Perrière is reliably faithful to its typical character, with an explosion of forest fruits on the nose and crunchy fruit on the palate. Fresh, chalky and precise with sweet tannins, this is very moreish.

Drink 2023 - 2026

Berry Bros. & Rudd

Laurent Fournier has achieved a lot since taking charge of the domaine established by his father, Jean, in the 1960s. In 2011, he was voted the Cotes de Nuits’ young vigneron of the year. He has since dedicated much of his considerable energy campaigning to establish Premiers Crus in Marsannay. Although he has begun leasing parcels in the Côte de Beaune, Gevrey-Chambertin and Clos de Vougeot, Laurent’s heart remains in Marsannay. All of the vineyards are farmed organically, with certification

Champ de Morjot' Rouge 2021 is made from 100% Pinot Noir from Chassagne-Montrachet. Juicy, crunchy, and full of ripe fruit flavour; it has vibrant notes of strawberry, juicy raspberry, vanilla and cherry. The palate is firm but smooth, balanced with a good level of acidity and more fruity flavours along with some oak and earth. Drinking well now, but will only get better over the next 5-10 years.

This parcel of old vines is situated at the top of the vineyard, alongside Drouhin’s Clos des Mouches.  The aromas are of red and black fruit, with some  spice adding complexity. On the palate, it is all  cherry, with real richness, plenty of power and chalky but ripe tannins. The finish is creamy and floral. Drink 2022-2027.

After the famine of 2016, this year is something of a feast, at least in the case of the reds. Sadly, the whites, which Dominique praises as having excellent clarity, are in slightly smaller volumes than 2016. The good news is that the full range of red wines has been made, and in good volume too. Dominique is effusive in his praise for the 2017 reds, describing them as appealing, with beautiful balance, a lightness of touch, refined tannins and a floral character with stunning red fruit.

This 2019 vintage is the best yet of our Nuits-St Georges from Benjamin Leroux. The nose is a heady perfume of dark berry fruit, violets and white pepper. The palate is creamy and succulent with a hint of vanilla. The tannins are like crushed velvet. This would be a perfect pairing with spiced lamb or lentil dishes.

Drink now until 2028

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1998{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}        {***}

A more elegant nose offers up lovely aromatic layering that includes notes of cool red currant, dark raspberry, plum and freshly turned earth. There is more size, weight and richness to the larger-scaled flavours that possess a seductive texture before culminating in a naturally sweet, complex and sneaky long finish. 

This, too, is very promising for the longer term, yet it is a wine that should be approachable after only 6 to 8 years. Drink from 2029 onward

Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (April 2020)

{***}
{region}Volnay{region}
{color}Red{color}                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2017{vintage}

{***}

Attractive, medium-deep purple in colour, this has a backward, highly concentrated nose, with the detail still to come. There is dark fruit, some spice, all really built around the concentration of fruit, which just stretches out in endless fashion. Very tight. The aftertaste is completely magisterial and at last the detail of the fruit begins to come out, with some blueberry notes. A little moment of glory! Drink 2025-2040.
Jasper Morris MW, Wine Buyer

Nicolas and David Rossignol report a healthy crop in quality and quantity, though a little reduced in the Grands Crus. They began on 7th September, using around 50 percent whole bunches, and avoided any punching down during vinification as there was no need to search for extraction, preferring a daily pumping-over and aeration. As ever there is only a modest use of new oak and sulphur levels are kept low. They have made unquestionably brilliant wines this year.

There is an overt spiciness to the even more restrained nose that blends notes of red cherry, plum, violet, lavender and a whiff of warm earth. The sleek, intense and chiseled middle weight flavors flash ample minerality before terminating in a youthfully austere and wonderfully persistent finish that, like the Caillerets, is impeccably well-balanced. This tautly muscular effort is also youthfully austere and very much built-to-age. In a word, lovely.  - Burghound

Here too there is a whiff of herbal tea sitting atop the cool essence of various wild red berries and newly turned earth scents. There is first-rate richness and volume to the big-bodied and tautly muscular flavors that also conclude in an overtly austere finish that offers dramatically good persistence. This too is quite firmly structured and like any Corton worthy of the name, it's built for extended cellaring. - Burghound

{***}{region}Corton{region}
{color}Red{color}                      {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}

{ratings} [] Burghound:: 92-95/100

{ratings}

{***}

Good deep red-ruby. Cherry and leather on the nose. Juicy and sweet, with a fresh quality to the black cherry, red berry, smoke and caramel flavors.

{***}
{region}Beaune{region}
{color}Red{color}                               {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2009{vintage}

{***}

Fullish vibrant purple, with a svelte, smooth, appealing bouquet. There is plenty of oak apparent but it is totally married to the fruit. Very luscious, exactly as this wine should be, but with a lovely mineral thread through the middle. Lovely finish. This has class and elegance throughout, dressed in a rich velvet overcoat.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Buying Director

{***}{region} Gevrey-Chambertin {region}
{color}Red{color}                                                              

{maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2011{vintage}

{ratings} []Burghound:: 91-94/100

{ratings}

{***}

This Pommard Grands Epenots is a deep rich red, it has a subtle hint of earth on the nose, followed by the rich aromas of black cherries and with a touch of pepper. Very long finish, with great soft tanins.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1995{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}        {***}

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}1995{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}        {***}

Part of the vineyard has a red, iron-rich soil, and so is planted with Pinot Noir. As last year, Jean-Yves used 100% whole-bunch. The aromatics have a roundness, with less red fruit and a touch of spice. Rully’s broad shoulders carry the 13.5% alcohol comfortably. As always here, there’s no trace of any chewy Rully tannins.

Drink 2023 - 2028

Berry Bros. & Rudd

This classy cuvée has a floral and spice-accented bouquet. Blended from around the appellation, there’s 25% whole-bunch; élevage is in 500-litre barrels, one-quarter of which are new. The palate invites with juicy red fruit and supple tannins. Cooling acidity provides balance; it’s a very complete wine. It’ll drink well early but can be cellared with confidence.

Drink 2021 - 2027

Our Reserve Red is a blend of Merlot and Syrah, with a notable dash of Pinot Noir to add elegance. The bright, fresh aromas of ripe red and black cherries give way to a delicious palate of crunchy yet smooth flavours: raspberries, redcurrants and summer pudding, with a twist of black pepper. Chill this down for a delicious and wonderfully refreshing summer red.

Catriona Felstead MW, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

Our Gevrey-Chambertin has once again been made for us by Domaine Rossignol-Trapet. Their venerable old vines cover all areas of Gevrey-Chambertin, giving a rich picture of the appellation. The warm and sunny 2019 vintage has given a spicy, dark-fruited expression of the village with silky tannins and an irresistible floral perfume. This is an ideal partner to ripe cheeses or tagine.

Drink 2024 - 2028

Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd

This Bourgogne Rouge is produced from very old vines that grow beside the Château de Pommard. With aromas of red berries, this well-structured wine with rounded, sophisticated tannins gives instant pleasure but can be kept for up to a decade.

An extraordinarily fine wine which will blossom over the next decade. This is a powerful Pommard, black in colour and thickly textured. It would be an impressive match for jugged hare or chicken cooked with black olives.

{***}{region}Pommard{region}
{color} Red{color}                                                               

{maturity}drink-now{maturity} {maturity-text}Drink Now{maturity-text}
{vintage}2001{vintage}
{ratings}
{ratings}        {***}

The Bachelets Ereds are not to be overlooked. Harvested after the Chardonnay  Ewith 2018 being the one exception  Ethe Pinot Noir grapes are destemmed. This cuvée hails from a tiny, south-facing vineyard in the hamlet of Gamay. It’s immensely appetising, with cranberry and floral aromas, crunchy acidity and chalky tannins. Drink 2022-2027. 

{***}{region}St Aubin{region}
{color}Red{color}                      {maturity}ready-improve{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will improve{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}

{ratings}

{ratings}

{***}

This is one of the best sites in the Hautes-Côtes. It’s south-facing and stony; Sébastien’s holdings have a lot of old vines. “Complexity Eisn’t a noun often associated with the Hautes-Côtes, but there’s clearly an extra dimension to this wine. It’s expressed by a sinewy structure overlaid by hints of turmeric and fulsome crunchy red fruits. Drink 2021-2027.

{***}
{region} Burgundy{region}
{color} Red{color}                      

{maturity}ready-keep{maturity} {maturity-text}Ready, but will keep{maturity-text}
{vintage}2019{vintage}{***}