Wine Advocate Weighs in on 16 and ’17 Burgundy
VinopolPicks: Southern Rhones Under $50
New January Sale Wines
Staff Pick: Scott Paul’s Other Vineyard
Wine Spectator Aime Olivier Bernstein
Grapelive Praises von Buhl
2017 Faiveley Scores Big in New Vinous Reviews
The Best Value in Burgundy? (Jean Claude Boisset)
The Wine Advocate Weighs in
On 2016 and ’17 Burgundy
“While small quantities meant that 2016s were not always available for tasting, I’m pleased to report that the wines are showing very well indeed from bottle. This is a classic Burgundy vintage in the best sense, with bright acids, concentrated fruit and excellent terroir differentiation. The successful whites have tightened up and now evoke a hypothetical blend of 2012 and 2008 in character. Among recent vintages, the 2016 reds—which are more consistent than the whites—are most similar to 2010. Many 2016 reds rival or surpass their 2015 counterparts, albeit in a very different stylistic register, and they will be well worth seeking out despite their scarcity. Their energy and structural tension lead me to suspect that they will age very well indeed. Vintages with this kind of profile and this kind of quality have not been very frequent in the last decade and a half, so Burgundy purists will certainly want to have some 2016s in their cellars.” – William Kelley, Wine Advocate
In Stock Now:
Domaine Fourrier Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($999.95) $599 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques is brilliant, unfurling in the glass with a multifaceted bouquet in which aromas of raspberries, orange rind and cassis mingle with nuances of peony, spice and subtle grilled meat. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and pure, with a deep, multidimensional mid-palate that’s framed by satiny tannins and juicy acids, concluding with a long, fragrant finish. The exquisite textural elegance that Fourrier routinely achieves with this site does not conceal the wine’s underlying power and concentration.”
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 9 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90 points “An attractive bouquet of plums, cassis and earthy forest floor introduces the 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, a medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny wine, with melting tannins, tangy acids and good concentration, concluding with a long finish. Elegant and pure, it exemplifies Fourrier’s style.”
Domaine Fourrier Les Cherbaudes Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($279.95) $199 special, 2 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes is excellent, unfurling in the glass with a complex bouquet of dark chocolate, cassis, wild berries and plums. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered core of crunchy fruit, fine structuring tannins and a long, sapid finish. While this is very elegant in style this year, it has more than enough substance to evolve in bottle for two decades or more.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Combe Aux Moines is exceptional, revealing a deep bouquet of cassis, dried flowers, Griotte cherries and rich forest floor. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, very concentrated and satiny, with amazing energy and structural tension that evoke the 2010 vintage, concluding with a long, mineral finish. While the wine’s elegance makes it deceptively drinkable today, the real excitement will come after the best part of a decade in bottle.”
Domaine du Clos de Tart ‘Clos de Tart’ Grand Cru Monopole, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($699.95) $519 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Domaine du Clos de Tart ‘Clos de Tart’ Grand Cru Monopole, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($1499.95) $1099 special, 2 magnums in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 97 points “The superb 2016 Clos de Tart Grand Cru confirms the promise it showed from barrel, unfurling in the glass with a striking bouquet of raspberries, rose petals, blood orange, black tea, spices and smoked meats. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, pure and ample, with a deep core of vibrant, searingly intense fruit that entirely cloaks its structuring chassis of satiny tannin, concluding with a long and captivatingly floral finish. More elegant and transparent than the richer and fleshier 2015, this is an exceptional vintage for Clos de Tart. That there are fully 27,000 bottles makes this one of Burgundy’s rare confluence of quality and quantity.”
On 2017 White Burgundy:
“For white wines, 2017 should be taken more seriously: classically balanced and beautifully defined by site, these white Burgundies are less tangy and tensile than the 2014s, but they approach and sometimes surpass that vintage in quality. There is a succulence and plenitude to the 2017 whites that makes them very appealing indeed, and it is hard to find a recent analogy for the character of the vintage. While yields in Pinot Noir were the highest since 1999, the Chardonnay harvest was less copious. What’s more, at the press, yields of juice were lower than anticipated. Accordingly, some of the 2017s also possess impressive levels of dry extract. While many of the wines will drink well on release, their aging potential—if they are spared by premature oxidation—appears to be very promising.” – William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Arriving ETA Spring:
Domaine Michel Niellon Les Chaumees Clos de la Truffiere, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées Clos de la Truffière was marked by a light touch of reduction, with leesy top notes of nutmeg and bread dough mingling with its bouquet of orchard fruit, confit lemon and toasted nuts. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, satiny and expansive, with the broadest shoulders and the most mid-palate amplitude of any premier cru in the range, balanced by juicy acids and concluding with a taut finish that I suspect is slightly shorted by the wine’s youthful reduction. Experience suggests that the only missing ingredient is a couple years of bottle age.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jean is one of the highlights of the Niellon portfolio this year, unwinding in the glass with notes of pear, lemon, toast, nutmeg and subtle smoke. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, with terrific depth, racy acids and a long, stony finish. 1992 was the first vintage for these vines, Niellon’s holdings here having previously been planted entirely to Pinot Noir, and they are clearly hitting their stride today: it’s the finest white Clos Saint-Jean I’ve tasted from this domaine.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 88 points “The 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet Village Blanc exhibits an attractive bouquet of green orchard fruit, toasted nuts and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and succulent palate with bright acids and a generous core of fruit. It’s a lovely Chassagne that will drink well for a decade or more.”
Under $50
The top Gigondas from the Beaucastel family.
Famille Perrin Gigondas Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-6 Famille Perrin Gigondas Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, Rhone 2015 750ML ($359.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The finest vintage to date, the 2015 Gigondas Le Clos des Tourelles comes from a tiny vineyard located just inside the village of Gigondas. Incorporating a touch of Syrah, this Grenache dominated beauty reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as off the chart notes of black raspberries, black cherries, pepper, garrigue, and tons of that classic Gigondas spice. I wrote “Wow” more than once in my notes and this full-bodied 2015 has ultra-fine tannin, perfect balance, and a stacked mid-palate. Give bottles 2-3 years and drink over the following 15+ years.”
Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien, Rhone 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Case-6 Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien, Rhone 2015 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Vinsobres Les Hauts De Julien comes from the Vinsobres region, which is a cooler terroir located in the northern part of the southern Rhône. Based largely on very old vine Syrah blended with Grenache, it offers a vibrant purple color as well as a sensational bouquet of blueberries, cracked pepper, violets, lavender, and exotic spices. Incredibly textured, full-bodied, deep, and opulent, with awesome purity of fruit, it’s another sensational vintage for this cuvée that would pass undetected in a blind lineup of top Cornas. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.”
The average price is $44
Marquis Anselme Mathieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “I enjoyed all of the wines from this estate, but I was blown away by the complexity and purity of the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Marquis Anselme Mathieu, which was made in concrete and aged in foudre. Not only does it show beautiful cherry and stone fruit notes, it layers on hints of clove, allspice, garrigue and green peppercorn. There’s ample weight and texture on the palate, with the plush tannins drawing to a silky, spicy finish that lingers for minutes.”
From the family behind Vieux Telegraphe, this is delicious young.
Brunier Piedlong Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 95 points “10 hectares of elevated Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is an hommage to grenache with just a hatful of mourvèdre. Ripe raspberry and red plum pastry aromas. Super silky, plush and layered. Extremely impressive. Shows fluidity and balance, density and lightness. 50% stalks (crushed).”
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Jeb Dunnuck – Rhone Report 96 points “The inky colored 2015 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a serious winner in the vintage. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and the rest counoise, Vaccarese and Muscardin, it offers a huge nose of blackberry jam, garrigue, crushed violets, and incense. Ripe, unctuous and opulent, yet not over the top, it reminds me of the Trois Source cuvee from Vieille Julienne. This is a smoking good release that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine of over a decade.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Xavier Vignon is one of the Rhône’s leading winemaking consultants, and so it’s no surprise he had access to some great fruit for his 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Tellingly, the blend entirely omits Syrah, containing 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 8% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse and 3% Muscardin. Floral notes and ripe cherries appear along licorice and vanilla (one-fourth of the wine was matured in new barriques), yet this is no drink-now version of CdP. This full-bodied wine boasts broad shoulders, a plush, creamy center and a muscular finish loaded with ripe tannins and spice. Give it a few years to mellow, and drink it over the next 15.”
In Stock Now:
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Xavier’, Rhone 2010 750ML ($47.95) Was $38, Now $33 January Sale Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 91+ points “Richer, fuller and denser is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape, which is composed of 65% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre and Syrah. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by abundant notes of black fruits, licorice, lavender, Provencal herbs as well as a meaty richness.”
Now it’s even lower!
Selbach-Oster ‘Schmitt’ Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) Was $41.90, Now $38 January Sale Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 95+ points “The brilliant and exotic Schmitt comes from the steep slate hill above the church, set back from the Mosel. There is great southern exposure here and it less affected by noble rot, a big plus in 2014. It allowed this rich and lush wine to remain crystalline and focused. This is one of the great wines of the vintage! Johannes Selbach’s top wines are not Trocken/Grosses Gewachs, but are single block wines from Cru sites. They are also heavy weighted, dense and medium sweet, but it is not about the sugar: it is all about the terroir and overall balance. These are wines of hedonism, power, textural pleasure and vitality, especially the Schmitt in 2014. It explores the boundaries of perfection in a fantastically difficult vintage. The was a savage thinning of the crop and a tiny window to get the grapes in to make this masterpiece from the old vines at Zeltinger Schlossberg. It is truly amazing with all the problems and heartbreak endured here that a wine of this quality and gorgeous detail managed to happen at all. Somehow this block come through and made one of the most glorious Riesling wines of the year. The 2014 Schmitt by Selbach-Oster starts with a sweet perfume. This wine shows white roses, dripping jasmine, hints of gardenia and tropical essences that lead to a full bodied, Auslese weight palate with apricot, green apple, lime and mango fruits leading the way along with a mix of spicy mineral and flinty stones, briny sea shore notes, soft honey decadence, creamy verbena and sweet peach flesh. The finish carries over the core of fruit and richness, but there is a burst of dynamic acidity and vibrancy. This is not a flabby wine and you are left with a dreamy/haunting impression with lingering tangerine sorbet, crushed stone and wet steeliness. This is fabulous Riesling and one you’ll want in the cellar. This has 100 Point potential and it will also drink well young. It already has poise and elegance, but should last two or three decades! Don’t be afraid of its sugar levels, it drinks like a lavish Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne and is a spectacular wine from Selbach-Oster!”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Picked with 105° Oechsle, the 2014 Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese Schmitt displays a stunning freshness and purity on the slightly spicy-toned nose, where stony and flinty flavors–but less botrytis flavors–are indicated compared to the Rotlay. Piquant and salty on the palate, with a nice grip and more purity and freshness, this is the finest and most piquant of the single parcel crus; the finish is as long as it is stimulatingly salty and grippy. White peach and nectarine flavors in the long aftertaste. Great Riesling.”
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $43.99
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Beerenauslese*, Mosel 2005 375ML ($149.95) Was $99, Now $89 January Sale Special, 31 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 98 points “Sweet and backed by a vibrant structure, this is elegant and detailed, with concentrated red berry, lime and nectarine. One of the few BAs to show a mineral component. Terrific balance and harmony, ending with a long, slate-tinged aftertaste. Drink now through 2040.”
Looking for other January Sale wines from Germany or France? Check out these highlights or view the entire selection on our website by clicking here.
Staff Pick: Scott Paul’s Other Vineyard
With all of the Scott Paul wines to have come through the shop, it took some time to get around trying the Azana. This was the sole estate vineyard for Scott Paul – steep, and high altitude with massive southwestern exposure. This was the area of the Chelalem Mountain AVA that was washed out by the Missoula Floods bringing many different types of soil into play. While the vines are comparatively young, the fruit was impressive and made wines that might not be as complex as some of the others in the line up, but the potential was certainly there for these to continue evolving.
At first crack, the wine was a little quiet, but after a half hour or the aromas of bright cherry and raspberry lifted off. The 13 vintage was definitely one of the more elegant, and while there was plenty of pop to the wine the power was balanced. Even on the second day, the wine showed raciness and verve. This is a great wine to get into while waiting for your other Scott Paul purchases to come around.
Scott Paul Azana Pinot Noir, Chehelem Mountains 2013 750ML ($59.95) $24 special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Brilliant red. Fresh red berries, cherry compote and a hint of blood orange on the highly perfumed nose and in the mouth. Juicy and lithe in character, with no rough edges; a suave floral pastille nuance emerges on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and spicy cut on the finish, which hangs on with strong, floral tenacity.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Broad and spicy, open-textured and appealing, showing balletic balance and featuring black cherry, rose petal and white pepper character that glides into a long and inviting finish. Drink now through 2024. 141 cases made.”
The next best price is $33.24
Exciting New Scores from WS Insider!
Olivier Bernstein Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($869.95) $779 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “($865) Expressive, even flamboyant, this red features red and black cherry, sandalwood, stony mineral, earth and spice flavors. Larger than life, with a boisterous personality, yet there’s no denying the intensity and complexity. Shows superb structure and length. Best from 2023 through 2046. From France.”-B.S.
Olivier Bernstein Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($729.95) $649 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “($725) Boysenberry, plum, black cherry, earth and underbrush flavors are allied to an opulent texture and muscular structure in this beefy red. Impressive, but will need time for all the components to fall into place. Offers big tannic grip on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2047. From France.”-B.S.
Arriving ETA January:
Olivier Bernstein Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($579.95) $519 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “($580) A spicy style, with sandalwood, cedar and sweet baking spice elements framing the cherry and currant flavors. Taut and dense, with a dusty finish. Best from 2023 through 2045.”-B.S.
Olivier Bernstein Les Lavrottes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($279.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “($275) A detailed, silk-textured red, evoking violet, cherry, raspberry, spice and mineral aromas and flavors. The oak is beautifully integrated and vibrant acidity extends the mineral- and spice-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2021 through 2033.” -B.S.
Grapelive 93 points “… Von Buhl’s collection [of] cru vineyards rivals any estate in Europe, [and includes] the best vineyard sites in Deidesheim and Forst, such as Forster Kirchenstück, Pechstein, Jesuitengarten, Freundstück and the Deidesheim sites Leinhöhle, Herrgottsacker, Kiesleberg and Paradiesgarten, where some of Germany’s best and greatest Riesling come from.… these 2015 wines [are] some of the most spectacular dry style wines I’ve ever had from Von Buhl and the region with his Rieslings having outstanding structures, concentration and complexity picking up on the limestone, sand, basalt and clay soils making stunning Rieslings that are terroir driven with vivid purity, intensity of form and are wildly expressive in character. This 2015 Forster bottling is from their all organic vines all within Grosse Lage (Grand Cru) parcels, this dry Riesling is their baby Grosses Gewachs cuvee with the grapes coming exclusively from the Ungeheuer, Pechstein und Jesuitengarten sites that gives this wine its class and depth, its an outrageously good wine and value with a penetrating personality and steely core with vibrant citrus, stone fruit, saline infused crushed rock, liquid mineral and a sultry earth charm. Its a Riesling in every sense, but has the vitality, crispness and elegance of a Premier Cru Chablis making this traditionally crafted and exciting white an absolute standout in its price class and one of my favorite of the vintage, which was a riper year, for its impeccable balance, laser focus and thrilling details. With time in the glass a beautiful perfume lifts with rosewater and peony seducing the senses, while nectarine, salted lime, green apple and tart citrus lead the line in the mouth along with a brisk feel of extract, acidity and touch of bitter bite that makes for a sharp clarity in this fine Forster Trocken. Added elements of chalk, chamomile, kumquat and white cherry highlight the complex of this Von Buhl dry Riesling, it is both refreshing and transparent and also serious and stoic without apology, it should gain with time in the cellar, but still spine tingling good now.”
Scores Big in New Vinous Reviews
“Jérôme Flous, who has headed up the winemaking team since 2007, joined us at the beginning of the tasting. He has changed the winemaking style, introducing more elegance and finesse to the previously austere, dense and occasionally unyielding wines. ‘I want to be reactive to Nature,’ he told me, ‘and I want to adapt with the vintage. I don’t have any recipe. In the vineyard, our approach is lutte raisonée and organic, so, for example, we were organic in 2015 but not the two subsequent years. Our objective is to gain EVH certification next year, which means we do not use herbicides and insecticides, but we will protect against mildew. We have two hectares in Nuits Saint-Georges and in Les Damodes that are completely organic.’ I enquired about the 2017 growing season. ‘There was a bit more rain in spring than usual, but the summer was drier than usual. Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Vougeot and Chambolle-Musigny were the driest in 2017 but they performed very well. The 25mm of rain on August 30 and 31 was needed. We started picking the Chardonnay on September 1 and finished on September 5, commencing in the Côte de Nuits on September 6 and finishing on September 16. Then we picked quickly, because we were concerned that the acidity might fall too much. We used some whole bunches in 2017, except for Gevrey-Chambertin. Sometimes there is a problem with reduction because of the amount of SO2 used, so I want to be adaptable and use everything.’
“I asked Erwan Faiveley for his opinion on the wines. Is it a bona fide great vintage? ‘The 2017 is a classic vintage,’ he replied. ‘The wines are well balanced. I think it will be considered very good, maybe a little modern in style, like 2007 or 2011, but the wines are deeper and fresher than those. It’s a good vintage to drink. It is too heterogeneous to be classed as a great vintage. The Côte de Nuits is much stronger than the Côte de Beaune because the 2016 frost meant that some vineyards overproduced.'” – Neal Martin, Vinous
Arriving ETA April:
Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2017 750ML ($279.95) $229 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin – Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru comes from a single parcel on the Ladoix side of the hill, the last parcel one faces toward the east. It has an attractive bouquet of lemon curd, yeast and orange peel that gains intensity with aeration. The palate is fresh on the entry, with touches of apricot and quince, a fine bead of acidity and good weight on the finish. This is a classy Corton-Charlemagne that should offer at least 12 to 15 years of drinking pleasure.”
Neal Martin- Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers comes from Faiveley’s substantial four-hectare parcel. I find this has more gumption and detail than the Lavaux Saint-Jacques at the moment. The nose features layers of blackberry, raspberry and crushed stone aromas, and the sweet, candied palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannin. Blood orange and quince infuse the red fruit toward the finish. Excellent.”
Domaine Faiveley Aux Chaignots, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin – Vinous 90-92 points “The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Aux Chaignots 1er Cru has a more cohesive, deeper bouquet than the Les Damodes, a mixture of red and black fruit, crushed stone and chalk. The elegant palate is well balanced with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity and a touch of orange sorbet enlivening the finish. Excellent.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 89-90 points “The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Damodes 1er Cru comes from shallow soils. It has a lively bouquet of vivacious crushed strawberry and cassis, all neatly integrated with the oak, around 50% new. The medium-bodied palate is linear and correct, offering crisp tannin, firm in grip and a terse, stony finish. Give this two or three years in bottle.”
Profound Wines from Jean Claude Boisset
These are wines that are at the very top tier of Burgundy and are at prices that are nearly unheard of for wines in this quality. The village wines drink like premier crus, the premier crus like grand crus and the grand cru wines like some of the top in each vineyard. These are flamboyant, intensely perfumed Burgundies, with richness and mouthfeel to complement them. We’ve got a small parcel arriving early this summer and if you want a chance to drink these, from the heralded 2016 vintage, now’s your (best) chance.
Arriving ETA June
Jean-Claude Boisset Les Vignes Franches Blanc, Beaune Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95-95 points “In the south of the large Beaune commune, and harvested at extremely low yields (12hl/ha). The nose has crushed stones and a grapefruit edge with attractive white peaches and pears. The palate has mouthwatering acidity and a broader texture. A focused, long palate that holds pithy punctuation to the finish. Complex in every way. Drink from 2020.”
James Suckling 95-96 points “Deep and dark with delicate spices. This is a beast of a wine, but in the best sense of that word. Enormous power and great tannic density. Already really well-integrated. A breathtaking finish which makes you think this must be a Grand Cru. Better from 2020 and decades of aging potential.”
James Suckling 95-96 points “There’s an attractive perfumed nose with plenty of violets, red cherries and blueberries, leading to a helix-like palate (50% whole clusters). Extremely attractive depth and balance here. The tannins are nicely tamed. Shows terrific freshness and energy, as well as plenty of dark-cherry flavors. A tangy, plum-stone finish. Try from 2022.”
The next best price is $179.99
James Suckling 94-95 points “Very fragrant but very youthful. This is super-concentrated for a village wine. The fine tannins and fresh acidity give this wine a diamond-bright finish, which goes on and on. Better from 2020. Has enormous aging potential.”
Jean-Claude Boisset Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($269.95) $219 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97-98 points “A very impressive wine that delivers a wealth of rich red cherries and dark cherries, as well as plums, violets and earthy nuances. A very smooth and plush palate that has an incredibly pure, supple and focused array of vibrant cherry falvors, all encased in fine, long tannins. An elegant, seamless and stylish Burgundy. Drink from 2021.”
The next best price is $249.99
The average price is $264
James Suckling 94 points “A charming and delicious Nuits St. Georges with depth and very elegant tannins for this appellation. A very fresh finish, which will make you want to drink this right now. But this has a lot of aging potential. Drink or hold.”
James Suckling 94 points “A blend of two climats (Brescul and La Combotte). This draws on two very different parts of the appellation. A very upbeat style with ripe, red cherries and berries, as well as chocolate and light spices. The palate is very refined. Shows very long and detailed flavors of cherry compote. A long, succulent finish. Superb freshness and dense, fine tannins. Try from 2021”
