Burgundy is the most complicated wine region in the entire world and attempting to understand it is a task that knows no end. The main reason for this complexity is the overwhelming number of vineyard sites with entirely unique expressions. The formation of these plots can trace their history back to the early ecclesiastical land holdings of the Catholic Church, and subsequent discovery and parcelization by monks. As these vineyard sites gained renown and increased in value, wealthy French nobles purchased vast swathes of land on which to form prestigious domaines. This was not to last though, as the French Revolution in the 18th century forced the vineyard land from the hands of the wealthy and into the possession of newer and more modest owners.
What you were left with in Burgundy after this period of rapid change was a multitude of new land owners with relatively little winemaking and viticultural expertise. This situation was compounded by the fact that the Napoleonic Code (which followed the Revolution) mandated that land be divided among all the heirs of a family; effectively further subdividing the vineyards at an exponential rate. An individual heir might come into possession of a single row of vines in a prestigious vineyard and have no personal capacity to develop a wine from it. This problem demanded a solution.
Enter: The Negociant. A winemaking operation whose concept revolved around purchasing the grapes of land owners all around Burgundy and vinifying them into distinct wines fit for the market. This relationship came with deep expertise into the villages and wine styles of the entire region, and substantial means through which to make make wine on a large scale.
Enter: Louis Jadot. If there is one negociant you must know from Burgundy, it is absolutely this estate. They’ve been producing top quality wine from the best sites in Burgundy since their founding in 1859. Over the last few hundred years the Jadot family significantly expanded their influence and demonstrated an unmatched ability to express the nuances of pinot noir, chardonnay, and gamay from diverse crus and vineyard locations. In the 20th Century the Jadot family increasingly realized the potential for scaling their personal land ownership and owning the vine to wine process from end to end. Today they have over 260 hectares of vineyard land and the winemaking operation has never been more sophisticated. The wines are honest expressions of the top Crus and offer significant value in comparison to the prices of hard to find cult producers. They have become collectible in their own right for those that love classic Burgundy delivered with amazing consistency vintage to vintage.
What excites me most about our Jadot selections is that they’re all back-vintage releases from great years in Burgundy. You won’t have to wait any time at all to enjoy the two 2016 Grand Crus we have on offer, as they’re just entering their drinking window. For the 2021s, you’ll save on 2 years of necessary bottle age that these wines demand, and your cellar will be looking flush with wine that is ready to be drunk in the near future.
Take advantage of the discounts below and you’ve got your ticket to experiencing the best of Burgundy.
Buy any 3- 5 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy any 6+ bottles for a 10% discount
Sale ends Wednesday, February 26th at 9AM PST
Discounts will be applied after orders are received.
Back-Vintage Burgundies On Sale Now from Louis Jadot:
Louis Jadot Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $599, that’s $569.05 at 5% off and $539.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 94-96 Points “The 2021 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru has one of the finest aromatics from Jadot this year with a seductive bouquet of wild strawberry, blueberry, sous-bois and hints of Earl Grey and wilted rose petals. Wonderful. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins and crisp acidity. It’s taut and fresh with a touch of spice toward the cohesive and persistent finish. This is a superb effort in such a challenging growing season.”
Louis Jadot Clos-St Denis Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off and $449.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles available
Decanter 94 points “Lovely ripe cherry fruit with floral and spice notes and a bit of smoke and toast introduce this marvelous wine, one of the signal successes among the Jadot reds in the 2021 vintage. The wine is one of finesse and elegance; on the palate there is vivacious fresh acidity, but enough density to be substantial and long without being imposing. The wine is produced from the 0.17-hectare parcel in the original Clos St-Denis lieu-dit owned by Domaine André Gagey and farmed under a long-term contract by Jadot.”
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Pure and elegant, the 2021 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru (Domaine Gagey) opens in the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, cherries, rose petals, spices and raw cocoa. Full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a long, saline finish, it has turned out beautifully.”
Louis Jadot Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 33 bottles available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Rose, cherry and spice aromas introduce this light-bodied, saturated version. The flavors add wild strawberry, incense and kirsch notes, while remaining persistent on the kaleidoscopic finish. Feels tense now, yet should develop nicely over time. A mineral element lingers. Best from 2023 through 2045.”
Louis Jadot Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “From vineyards owned by the inheritors of the Louis Jadot estate, this wine has all the power expected from this vineyard. Its density and richness are palpable, even when crispened by a fresh citrus edge. Wood aging adds spice and enhances the aging potential. Drink from 2024.”
Vinous 94+ points “(Jadot bottled 35 barrels, representing a normal yield; the harvest lasted into the beginning of October): Very pale, bright yellow. Knockout nose combines lemon, ginger, botanical herbs, shiso leaf and crushed-rock minerality. Seriously concentrated wine, showing the juicy side of the 2016 vintage and the impeccable balance that was possible when yields were normal. The sharply delineated citrus, spice and mineral flavors are framed and intensified by harmonious acidity (“which was easy to control because we had so many barrels,” according to Barnier). Conveys an impression of outstanding density without weight and finishes with great palate-staining length, herbal lift and salty grip.”
Wine Advocate 93+ points “Aromas of yellow orchard fruit, waxy lemon rind, iodine and smoky new oak introduce the 2016 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (Domaine des Héritiers Jadot), a full-bodied, satiny and nicely layered wine that’s deep, concentrated and persistent. It’s a youthfully reserved but decidedly impressive Corton-Charlemagne that will reward bottle age.”
Louis Jadot Corton Pougets Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles available
Vinous 94-96 points “The 2021 Corton-Pougets Grand Cru has a wonderful bouquet with transparent red cherry, raspberry and floral notes. This wine is classy and seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannins. It’s lithe and agile in the mouth with a mineral undertow towards the finish. Often one of Jadot’s classiest offerings, this Pougets is no different and one of their stars in 2021.”
Decanter 93 points “Lovely, ripe plum fruit aromas with notes of earth and smoke feature prominently on the nose of this firm, tannic wine with fresh acidity and abundant extract. The grapes come from a domaine-owned parcel at mid-slope next to Le Charlemagne. Jadot is the last producer to isolate this lieu-dit, which is often used for white wine. The structure and freshness of this wine demonstrate that it makes a very interesting red as well.”
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Aromas of sweet red berries, plums, peonies and spices introduce the 2021 Corton-Pougets Grand Cru (Domaine des Héritiers Jadot), a medium to full-bodied, rich and ample wine with a deep core of fruit, sweet structuring tannins and a long, mouthwatering finish. This cuvée is always a strong suit chez Jadot, and this year is no exception.”