April 5, 2014
“The 2011 red and white Burgundies are charming, inviting wines, for the most part fleshy, with ripe fruit and slender profiles.” – Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
“Yes. It would appear that Burgundy has done it again… Nature is smiling on the Burgundy lover.” – Clive Coates
Burgundy 2011
A partly cloudy day in the Cote de Beaune
In Burgundy, the 2011 growing season was chaotic, many drawing parallels with the rainy 2007 vintage—summer occurred in April, fall arrived in July and summer returned in August. The year challenged growers with heat, drought, and rain, ending with an early and rapid harvest. Despite the chaos, skilled Burgundy producers have given us yet another vintage of intriguing wines that are drinking beautifully in the short to mid- term.
A moderate winter, without the deep freeze of the previous year, ended early as March ushered in what looked to be a beautiful spring. Summer heat came in April as dry winds blew down from north, advancing flowering so that vines were bursting by early May with healthy flowers. As in 2007, May brought a shift in weather with more showers, a blessing to producers who worried about the dry start to the season. June was pleasant enough, though cool, with a stretch of hot, humid days at the end of the month that required careful spraying to prevent rot. When it rained, solidly and evenly without stormy side effects in early July, growers were thrilled but further rain was less welcome and the whole month of July was cool and wet. As summer drew to a close, the heat came just when it was needed in the middle of August, helping the grapes to get in last minute ripening as the (very early) harvest commenced at the end of August. September continued dry and warm, enabling late pickers to finish their collection at their ease.
This was one of the earliest vintages on record, only the sixth occasion since records began that the harvest kicked off in August. As June, July and August saw roughly double the average rainfall in some areas, the grapes in 2011 were less ripe than in the past two years and many growers based picking decisions on preserving the acidity in the grapes. In general, the Côte de Nuits was drier than the Côte de Beaune, though there is wide variation between vineyards based on rainfall.
and smaller dried up grapes, allowing healthy fruit to rise to the top
All in all, it was a year when vigilance throughout the season was a necessity, as vignerons were challenged to prevent rot and infestation in the vineyard, and later to use meticulous sorting to get the best from their crop. As in any challenging vintage, flexibility and perseverance rewarded these diligent winemakers with a delicious product. The hallmark of 2011 Burgundies is charm and easy-going fruit. Though the weather conditions were similar to 2007, the 2011 wines are entirely their own; friendly and easy to drink, yet not lacking substance. The reds are fresh with good acidity, ripe, and juicy with a good expression of the terroir. Chardonnay was able to ripen further than Pinot Noir in this year and the whites have fruit that is fresh, juicy and quite crisp with well-balanced acidity. Made from early-picked grapes yielding ripe flavors, these are wines to drink and enjoy comparatively young in most cases, with supple tannins and medium concentration.
The best wines of the 2011 vintage are succulent, lush, and unlike any of the most recent vintages. The wines, often denser than the 2010s and aleays less opulently rich than the 2009s, strike a delicious balance. Opinions from producers were guarded at first as reveiwers became cautiously optimistic. Now, after a couple years in bottle, the impression of the 2011s is a big surprise and guaranteed enjoyment for lovers of charming, restrained Burgundy.
De Villaine Bourgogne La Digione 2011 ($39.95) $36 special 5 bottles available
Digioia- Royer Bourgogne Blanc 2011 ($21.95) $18 special 11 bottles available
Grands Crays Vire Clesse Clos du Chateau 2-11 ($19.95) $17 special 10 bottles available
Lafon Macon Clos de la Crochette 2011 ($39.95) $31.90 special 13 bottles available
Ferret Poully Fuisse Sous Vergisson 2011 ($39.95) $33 special 2 bottles available
Domaine Tribut Chablis Beuroy 2011 ($44.95) $36 special 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points “Reticent nose hints at grapefruit, crushed stone and menthol. Juicy, spicy and rather round, with citrus and stone flavors opening in the glass. Ultimately sweeter and softer than the Cote de Lechet, and nicely concentrated for the year. This wine has been in older barrels for the past three months; it will be racked and assembled in September.”
Henri Boillot Chassagne Montrachet Embrazees 2011 ($79.95) $69 special 24 bottles available
Burghound 90 points “A discreet application of oak surrounds the notably ripe aromas of several different yellow orchard fruit scents along with hints of the exotic. There is an appealing succulence to the broad-scaled flavors that manage to retain a fine sense of detail on the lightly mineral-driven, saline and vibrant finish. If this can add a bit more depth with time in the cellar my score may prove to be overly conservative.”
Henri Boillot Chassagne Montrachet Chaumees 2011 ($84.95) $69 special 21 bottles available
Burghound 91 points ‘OUTSTANDING‘ “This is aromatically quite different from the Embrazées with an exceptionally pure and cool nose that features extract of white orchard fruit, lemon zest, wet stone and subtle spice nuances. There is a sophisticated mouth feel to the generous yet refined middle weight flavors that possess a remarkably well-delineated, even chiseled finish that avoids any hint of austerity.”
Henri Boillot Meursault Poruzot 2011 ($99.95) $75 special 21 bottles available
Burghound 91 points ‘OUTSTANDING’ “This is quite floral with additional aromas of white peach, yellow orchard fruit and resin. There is good volume and plenty of power to the sappy and mouth coating medium weight plus flavors that possess fine depth and excellent persistence. This is a big but balanced wine and very Poruzots in character.”
Henri Boillot Meursault Charmes 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 22 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Pale, bright yellow-green. Subtle aromas of lemon, vanilla, white flowers and hawthorn. Silky and creamy on the palate, with a fine-grained texture and a touch of salinity. A delicate style of Charmes with an understated, slowly building finish. All in finesse.”
Henri Boillot Puligny Montrachet Clos Moucheres 2011 ($109.95) $88 special 9 bottles available
Burghound 94 points ‘DON’T MISS! OUTSTANDING‘ “A very mild hint of reduction reduces the expressiveness of the otherwise cool and pure floral, citrus rind, stone and soft spice notes. There is plenty of volume to the rich, intense and mouth coating middle weight flavors that exude a fine minerality on the gorgeously complex, strikingly well-delineated and bone dry finish. This saline-infused and clearly built-to-age effort is spectacular.”
Henri Boillot Puligny Montrachet Perrieres 2011 ($109.95) $88 special 19 bottles available
Burghound 93 points ‘SWEET SPOT OUTSTANDING’ “A cool and pure nose features notes of citrus peel, pear, apple, wet stone and white peach. There is a lovely sense of refinement and underlying tension to the medium-bodied flavors that also coat the mouth with plenty of dry extract before culminating a saline mineral-driven finish. This is terrific.”
Henri Boillot Puligny Montrachet Combettes 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 24+ bottles available
Burghound 93 points ‘SWEET SPOT OUTSTANDING’ “(the first vintage of this wine for Boillot, following his recent purchase of this parcel): Pale green-tinged color. Sexy aromas of lemon, lime, ripe stone fruits and hazelnut. Lush and fine-grained, with silky flavors of stone fruits and hazelnut. Can’t quite match the Folatieres for finesse, but this has more volume and power.”
Henri Boillot Puligny Montrachet Pucelles 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 3 bottles available
Burghound 94 points ‘DON’T MISS! OUTSTANDING’ “A strikingly well-layered, elegant and pure nose of honeysuckle, apple, pear and notably ripe white orchard fruit aromas are trimmed in soft wood. There is a lovely sense of freshness to the cool and restrained yet succulent medium weight flavors that possess a highly sophisticated mouth feel before terminating in a balanced, classy and stunningly intense finish. This offers absolutely crystalline purity and epitomizes Pucelles at its finest.”
Henri Boillot Criots Batard Montrachet 2011 ($269.95) $219 special 10 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “This is notably riper than the Caillerets with overtly exotic dried yellow fruit, spice and floral aromas. There is outstanding richness to the powerful and broad-shouldered flavors that possess a distinctly muscular mouth feel before culminating in an opulent, clean and very dry finish. This retains a fine sense of balance and while there is certainly fine complexity, it isn’t at the same level as displayed by the other grands crus in the range.”
Henri Boillot Bienvenues Batard Montrachet 2011 ($299.95) $249 special 12 bottles available
Burghound 94 points “This is also notably ripe but the aromas do not run to the exotic as the honeysuckle, apricot, white peach and subtle spice notes are entirely classic. There is an appealing succulence to the delicious, intense and strikingly fine medium-bodied flavors and while there is certainly a sense of focused power present on the long, clean and refined finish, this is essentially a Bienvenues of finesse.”
Henri Boillot Batard Montrachet 2011 ($349.95) $299 special 4 bottles available
Burghound 95 points ‘DON’T MISS!’ “There is just enough reduction present to suppress the nose though it seems reasonably clear that it is both ripe and clean. There is superb size, weight and mid-palate density to the mouth coating big-bodied flavors that ooze dry extract that does a fine job of buffering the firm acid spine on the very dry, even saline-infused finish. While I would call this a wine of finesse in the same vein as the Bienvenues, it is relatively fine in the context of the appellation. Either way, this delivers outstanding quality though be aware that it’s going to need plenty of cellar time.”
JM Boillot Rully Meix Cadot 2011 ($31.95) $24 special 12 bottles available
Francois Carillon Chassagne Macherelles 2011 ($69.95) $49 special 15 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “(from a mix of young and older vines): Oily aromas of peach and pineapple candy. Much more wine here than the Macharelles, offering good lift and nuance to the supple, ripe flavors of pineapple, stone and smoky minerality. Persistent finish shows good grip.”
Francois Carillon Puligny Montrachet Folatieres 2011 ($89.95) $69 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “In a very ripe, powerful style, with aromas of peach and stone joined by spices and a saline quality in the mouth. Fat and round but firmed by palate-dusting minerality. Finishes fruit-driven and strong, with a hint of dusty tannins and a note of clove.”
Francois Carillon Puligny Montrachet Referts 2011 ($89.95) $69 special 12 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points “A reductive note along with a touch of petrol presently dominates the nose. There is a silky mouth feel to the solidly well-concentrated, intense and vibrant middle weight flavors where the underlying mineral component is even more prominent, all wrapped in a gorgeously long finish. This is not quite as refined as the Combettes but there’s just more here.”
Francois Carillon Puligny Montrachet Combettes 2011 ($119.95) $89 special 24 bottles available
Burghound 90-92 points “This is also relatively reduced and difficult to read. There is a wonderfully elegant mouth feel to the vibrant, intense and well-delineated medium-bodied flavors that exude a lovely mineral streak on the saline-infused finish. This is not especially dense but the complexity and overall sense of refinement make for a harmonious effort that is worth considering.”
PY Colin-Morey Criots Batard Montrachet 2011 750ml ($449.95) $339 special 6 bottles available
PY Colin-Morey Criots Batard Montrachet 2011 1.5 LITER ($899.95) $699 special 1 bottle available
PY Colin-Morey Chassagne Montrachet Ruchottes 2011 1.5 LITER ($279.95) $219 special 1 bottle available
PY Colin-Morey Bienvenues Batard Montrachet 2011 ($449.95) $319 special 2 bottles available
PY Colin-Morey Chassagne Montrachet Ancegnieres 2011 ($79.95) $69 special 3 bottles available
Burghound 88-91 points “A restrained and distinctly cool nose of pear and apple aromas introduces rich and attractively voluminous flavors that possess excellent vibrancy. There is an ample amount of dry extract that imparts a textured mouth feel on the citrus, clean and very dry finish that also exhibits a touch of austerity. If this can add depth with time in bottle it should merit the upper end of my projected range.”
PY Colin-Morey Chassagne Montrachet Baudines 2011 ($109.95) $89 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 89-92 points “There is a light touch of mineral reduction along with the mostly floral and lemon zest nuances. There is a sophisticated mouth feel to the intensely mineral-driven medium-bodied flavors that display excellent delineation and energy on the linear and borderline strict finish. This will need a few years to really flesh out as it’s austere and a bit difficult today.”
PY Colin-Morey Chassagne Montrachet Chenevottes 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The bouquet on the 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Chenevottes lies in stark contrast to the Ancegnieres: much more strict and linear, more Puligny in style with orange blossom and a sprig of lemon thyme. And I prefer the palate, which has superb balance and focus: holding everything back on the entry before motoring toward a vibrant, white peach, nectarine and pear-driven finish. It does not possess enormous persistency, but that does not really detract from a great 2011 white Burgundy.”
PY Colin-Morey Puligny Montrachet Folatieres 2011 ($149.95) $119 special 2 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points “An intensely floral nose also reveals notes of Granny Smith apples, citrus zest and mineral reduction. There is good richness and ripeness to the naturally sweet medium-bodied flavors that exude a fine minerality on the extract-rich, mouth coating and wonderfully complex finish. I very much like the balance and delineation to the lemony finale. Good stuff though note that once again patience will be required.”
PY Colin-Morey Batard Montrachet 2011 ($449.95) $349 special 3 bottles available
Burghound 92-95 points “Here there is an interesting nose of both white and yellow orchard fruit aromas along with a broad range of floral and spice elements. There is seriously good mid-palate density to the big-bodied and overtly powerful flavors that possess stunning punch on the very dry and hugely long finish where the only slight nit is a hint of warmth. This is an impressive effort that will require at least a decade to fully mature.”
PY Colin-Morey Le Montrachet 2011 ($899.95) $699 special 2 bottles available
Burghound 93-96 points “This is even less expressive than the Chevalier though the underlying fruit is clearly fresh and ripe with mostly citrus and floral aromas. This is exceptionally well-concentrated with fine phenolic ripeness to the very broad-shouldered flavors that possess outstanding power if not quite the intensity or the minerality of the Chevalier. The explosive and bone dry finish compensates however by being even longer and more complex. Overall, the two wines are qualitative equals, at least at this very early juncture though their respective personalities are quite different. Once again, plenty of patience will be required.”
Dauvissat- Camus Chablis La Forest 2011 ($69.95) $59 special 5 bottles available
Burghound 92 points “A beautifully layered nose features notes of ripe citrus, sea breeze, dried flowers, quinine and mineral reduction. The punchy medium-bodied flavors are built on a base of minerality that adds lift to the tension-filled finish that coats the mouth with acid buffering dry extract. This is not especially refined but it really fans out on the wonderfully long finale and should reward 7 to 10 years of bottle age.”
Faiveley Puligny Montrachet Folatieres 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 12 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points ‘OUTSTANDING’ “A beautifully complex, cool and elegant nose of acacia blossom, white orchard fruit and plenty of wet stone nuances complements the equally stony, intense and ultra-pure medium weight flavors that possess outstanding detail and verve. I very much like the balance and refinement and this should be accessible young as there is fine mid-palate concentration and plenty of extract which imparts a fleshy mouth feel.”
Fichet Meursault 2011 ($59.95) $51.90 special 9 bottles available
Burghound 88-91 points “There is a distinct hazelnut character to the white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that are trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is good richness to the lightly mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that possess a fine sense of energy on the saline, clean and dry finish. A lovely villages that should repay 5 to 7 years of aging.”
Fichet Puligny Montrachet Referts 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91+ points “Pale, bright yellow. Musky peach and a metallic quality on the reticent nose. Generous, ripe and silky, with a concentrated peach flavor nicely framed by excellent acidity. Less complex and showy today than the Tesson but with lovely underlying floral character. In a classically dry style but has the stuffing to support its firm spine of acidity. Finishes with considerable finesse and excellent length.”
Jadot Savigny les Beaune Clos Guettes Blanc 2011 ($41.95) $33 special 20 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 88 points “Good pale yellow. Riper on the nose than the Vergelesses, offering yellow fruit and honey aromas. Concentrated and rich if a bit less harmonious today than the Vergelesses, with apple, mint and floral flavors supported by a rocky underpinning.”
Jadot Meursault 2011 ($49.95) $41.90 special 18 bottles available
John Gilman 91 points “The 2011 Meursault AC from Maison Jadot was really singing at the time of my visit and should prove to be an admirable value in this vintage. The very stylish nose offers up a complex base of apple, pear, tangerine, lightly-toasted almonds, spring flowers, chalky soil tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and complex, with fine focus and backend bounce, a very good core, zesty acids and excellent focus and grip on the very long and well-balanced finish. A fine, fine village wine”
Jadot Chassagne Montrachet 2011 ($54.95) $44 special 24+ bottles available
John Gilman 91+ points “The 2011 Jadot white Burgundy village wines are exceptionally strong in this vintage, and the Chassagne AC looks to be the pick of the litter! The deep and excellent bouquet offers up a classic mélange of apple, orange, lime zest, deep soil tones, vanillin oak and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, young and very deep, with a lovely sense of reserve, crisp acids and a very long, poised and laser-like finish of superb length and grip. The domaine has really been making an effort to produce better and better wines at the village wine level and these 2011s show that the effort has really paid off! A superb wine.”
Jadot Puligny Montrachet 2011 ($59.95) $49 special 24+ bottles available
Burghound 89-91 points “There is enough reduction present to render the nose hard to assess but the underlying fruit appears to be ripe. There is very fine volume and very good mid-palate concentration as the extract really coats the palate while simultaneously buffering the moderately firm acid spine on the seductively textured, clean and attractively dry finish. As is so often the case with this wine, it is an excellent villages and well worth considering.”
Jadot Puligny Montrachet Referts 2011 ($69.95) $59 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Very pale greenish-yellow color. Precise but restrained aromas of white peach, lime and mint. Juicy, firm and pure; not a particularly fat wine but still supple and pliant, showing good energy and lemony cut. Finishes brisk, pristine and floral. A big success in 2011, from vines harvested six days after the Combettes due to very slow ripening. Sexy already.”
Jadot Corton Charlemagne 2011 ($139.95) $119 special 9 bottles available
Burghound 92-95 points “Like the Montrachet, this is also presently quite aromatically reticent with its aromas of lemon/lime, wet stone and Granny Smith apples that are trimmed in a subtle application of warm oak. The equally expansive, taut and well-muscled broad-shouldered flavors possess an ample amount of dry extract and intensity on the driving finish that exhibits a faint saline character. I very much like the intensity here as well as the very dry backend and this should be superb if allowed adequate cellar time.”
Jadot Batard Montrachet 2011 ($319.95) $249 special 6 bottles available
John Gilman 95 points “The 2011 Bâtard-Montrachet from Louis Jadot is another brilliant wine in the making, soaring from the glass in a deep and very youthful aromatic blend of apple, lime zest, tangerine, complex soil tones, a touch of iodine and a gentle base of new wood. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very powerfully-built, with a rock solid core, snappy acids and stunning focus and grip on the very young, structured and magical finish. A very pure and racy example of young Bâtard-Montrachet that has been built to last!…”
Jadot Chevalier Montrachet Demoiselles 2011 ($399.95) $319 special 3 bottles available
Burghound 93-95 points “An ultra-pure and high-toned nose of wet stone, spiced pear and acacia blossom and green apple is also trimmed in just enough oak to notice. The markedly stony broad-shouldered and tautly muscular flavors possess almost painful intensity on the crystalline and explosively long finish. 2011 is a vintage where the Demoiselles is bigger than it typically is yet there is absolutely no loss of refinement or elegance.”
Jadot Le Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 ($499.95) $419 special 3 bottles available
Burghound 94-97 points “Here the nose is notably more reserved with aromas of citrus zest, spice, wood toast, fennel and spice hints. This is also a very imposingly-scaled wine with its big, muscular and wonderfully complex flavors that culminate in a long, focused and explosive finish of breathtaking length and intensity. This overtly powerful effort should reward at least a decade in the cellar and drink well for another. A ‘wow’ wine.”
Lucien Le Moine Chassagne Montrachet Abbaye Morgeot 2011 ($139.95) $119 special 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “The 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet Abbaye de Morgeot leaves an impression of Pinot-like depth. A broad-shouldered, intense wine, the 2011 boasts tons of class and potential. The flavors remain quite floral and bright, but with plenty of underlying structure. This is going to be a fascinating wine to follow.”
Lucien Le Moine Meursault Charmes 2011 ($149.95) $125 special 7 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92-95 points “Bright beams of minerality run through the 2011 Meursault Charmes. This is without question one of the more focused, structured and tight Charmes of the year. The 2011 boasts remarkable polish in its flavors and texture. A rich, insistent finish rounds things out nicely. There is plenty of potential here, but readers are going to have to be patient.”
Lucien Le Moine Meursault Genevrieres 2011 ($149.95) $133 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Orange oil and a hint of fresh pineapple on the nose; reminded me a bit of a German riesling. Intensely flavored and glyceral too, with sneaky sweetness leavened by ripe pineappley acidity. Very tactile, superconcentrated wine with broad shoulders (Saouma describes it as “a red wine made from chardonnay”) and a seriously palate-saturating finish. These 60-year-old vines always maintain very good acidity, notes Saouma. Exciting potential.”
Lucien Le Moine Puligny Montrachet Folatieres 2011 ($149.95) $133 special 9 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91-94 points “The 2011 Puligny-Montrachet Folatieres is going to need serious time to come together. Today, it is the wine’s persistence and textural finesse that stand out most, even if all the elements haven’t fully come together just yet. There is a lot to look forward to here. It will be interesting to see if the wine retains the powerful personality that is on display today, or if further time in barrel tames some of the exuberance.”
Domaine Leflaive Meursault Le Dos D’ane 2011 ($139.95) $119 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 89-91 points “There is a trace of sulfur that does not detract unduly from the otherwise fresh, pretty and airy aromas of white flowers, pear and white peach that are trimmed in soft citrus scents. There is good energy and fine detail to the mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that possess a really appealing mouth feel before terminating in a saline, balanced and solidly persistent finish.”
Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Pucelles 2011 ($279.95) $229 special 2 bottles available
Burghound 91-94 points “A broad-ranging nose is comprised of honeysuckle, anise, clove, lemongrass, brioche and pear. There is an appealing sense of volume to the beautifully delineated, serious, textured and energetic flavors that are both classy and stylish, all wrapped in a hugely long yet impeccably balanced finish where a touch of wood influence surfaces. A classic Pucelles of generosity and refinement that should amply reward up to a decade of cellaring.”
Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues Batard Montrachet 2011 ($499.95) $379 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 92-94 points “Very fresh aromas of honeysuckle, oak nuances and mandarin orange possess really lovely purity and complexity. The sleekly muscled and palate coating flavors possess good size and weight as well as an excellent sense of focus and precision on the delicious, long and stylish finish. A lovely Bienvenues that offers both length and depth as well as the same silkiness as the Combettes. This should drink well young but also reward 10 to 12 years of cellar time.”
Matrot Meusault Les Chevalieres 2011 375ml ($29.95) $21.90 special 2 bottles available
Matrot Meusault Les Chevalieres 2011 750ml ($44.95) $37 special 24+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points “Ripe fresh apricot and marzipan on the nose, along with a mineral component. Juicy, spicy and minerally; more taut and less fat than the basic village offering. Showing its oak but finishes with good cut and grip”
Christian Moreau Blanchots Chablis 2011 ($69.95) $51.90 special 4 bottles available
Burghound 91-93 points “Here the wood is relatively generous though not completely dominant as it still allows the floral, stone, pear and hints of mineral reduction to be appreciated. There is fine richness to the bold and solidly well-concentrated flavors that possess relatively good power before terminating in a long, dry and highly persistent finish.”
Christian Moreau Chablis Valmur ($69.95) $55 special 16 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “A highlight in this flight of new releases, the 2011 Chablis Valmur is striking from the very first taste. It possesses stunning depth and purity. Licorice, petrol, crushed rocks and mint add complexity to the characteristic Valmur fruit. There is more than enough acidity to buttress the expansive richness, especially on the finish. This is a wine of significant promise. Anticipated maturity: 2013.”
Christian Moreau Chablis Les Clos ($79.95) $59 special 14 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2011 Chablis Les Clos comes across as rather big in this vintage. A broad-shouldered frame houses rich fruit in this powerful, intense wine. The 2011 is intensely mineral-driven and focused, more so than the 2010, which is surprising. It is likely to require a measure of patience, but it is quite pretty. The 2011 has a pure energy and tension that is missing in the 2010, at least at this stage. Anticipated maturity: 2013+.”
Christian Moreau Chablis Clos des Hospices 2011 ($99.95) $75 special 22 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Expressive yellow stone fruits, spices, graphite and subtle French oak flow from the 2011 Chablis Les Clos Clos des Hospices. Hints of slate, smoke and oyster shells come to life on the beautifully delineated finish. There is great energy in the glass, but this is an infant. Here, too, I have a slight preference for the 2011 over the 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2013+.”
Thomas Morey St Aubin Le Puits 2011 ($49.95) $39 special 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 87-89 points “Pure, subtle aromas of lemon and ginger; less peppery and green than the basic Saint-Aubin that preceded it. More intense too, with more tactile flavors of citrus fruit and dusty stone. Not a fleshy wine but finishes with good energy and persistence.”
Thomas Morey Chassagne Montrachet Clos St Jean 2011 ($79.95) $66 special 11 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “An exceptionally fresh, cool and airy nose exhibits both white and yellow orchard fruit along with soft floral and mineral hints where the latter element is also reflected by the impressively rich yet solidly energetic and well-detailed flavors. I like the sense of refinement to the mouth coating and focused finish that delivers fine persistence and lovely balance. A quality white from an appellation that is quite rightly better known for its reds.”
JF Mugnier Nuits St Georges Marechale Blanc 2011 ($119.95) $69 special 7 bottles available
Burghound 90-92 points “A pure and appealingly fresh nose of relatively elegant red berry fruit is liberally laced with earth and spice hints. There is a lilting mouth feel to the energetic, intense and equally pure medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of that beguiling sense of underlying tension that makes wines like this so refreshing. There isn’t the class of the Fuées but this is really very good plus I very much like the balance and harmony of the firm and lingering finish. Drink 2019+”
Raveneau Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru 2011 ($179.95) $149 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 91 points “This is also quite floral though here the supporting aromas are comprised of white pepper, spice and a whiff of lemon rind. The round, pure and admirably vibrant medium-bodied flavors possess a lovely minerality before terminating in a mouth coating finish that really spreads out on the finish. Good stuff.”
Etienne Sauzet Bourgogne Chardonnay 2011 ($34.95) $27 special 23 bottles available
Etienne Sauzet Puligny Montachet 2011 375ml ($41.95) $33 special 20 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 87-90 points “(I tasted an assemblage of all five components): Sexy nose combines white flowers, spices and musky lees. Fat, plush and sweet, with a firm mineral edge giving the mid-palate a more chiseled quality than the Chassagne villages. The citrus and dusty stone finish conveys an impression of grip and firmness.”
Etienne Sauzet Puligny Montrachet Perrieres 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-93 points “(this and the following wines are from vines on the middle of the slope; the previous premier crus were from higher up the hillsides): Green-yellow. Subtle, elegant aromas of citrus fruits, peach and smoky oak. Smooth and seamless on the palate, with very good energy to its lime, lemon and saline flavors. A hint of fern suggests the noble vegetal side of Puligny. Suave, harmonious acidity gives lift to the dry, saline, persistent finish. This fruit reached 13.2% natural alcohol. Boudot described these 27-year-old vines as “young for me.”
Marc Colin Bourgogne Rouge 2011 ($21.95) $16 special 24+ bottles available
Marc Colin Santenay Rouge Vieilles Vignes 2011 ($34.95) $27 special 24+ bottles available
PY Colin Morey Santenay Ceps Centenaires 2011 ($59.95) $49 special 10 bottles available
PY Colin Morey Volnay Champans 2011 ($99.95) $89 special 12 bottles available
Anne- Francoise Gros Chambolle Musigny 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 6 bottles available
Burghound 88-91 points “An exuberantly spicy and quite fresh nose of wild red cherries, mineral nuances and a top note of violets introduce textured and attractively intense middle weight flavors that possess plenty of verve on the delicious finish that is shaped by firm but not hard tannins that are well-integrated. This will require a few years of patience.”
Henri Boillot Savigny les Beaune Lavieres 2011 ($69.95) $49 special 24+ bottles available
Burghound 89 points “A pungently earthy nose of lightly spiced plum and various dark pinot fruit aromas leads to energetic and well-detailed flavors that exude a fine minerality on the delicious and solidly persistent finish. I like the mouth feel as it’s relatively fine and about the only nit is a bit of gas so I would suggest decanting this if you’re going to try a bottle young.”
Henri Boillot Volnay Chevrets 2011 ($99.95) $77 special 20 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Bright red-ruby. Rather brooding aromas of cassis, blackberry, smoke and licorice are pure and discreet. Surprisingly rich on entry, then lush and seamless in the middle, but with very good acidity framing and lifting the black fruit and game flavors. The powerful, rising finish features building tannins and a distinct thick-skinned character. The old vines in Boillot’s parcel were strongly affected by millerandage, which largely explains this wine’s extra measure of texture and concentration.”
Henri Boillot Volnay Fremiets 2011 ($99.95) $77 special 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Deep red-ruby. Highly perfumed, musky aromas of black raspberry and smoky minerality. Large-scaled, round and rich but not yet complex; less creamy and fine-grained than the Chevrets, showing a youthful toughness from the calcaire-rich soil. Despite the fact that this was the first pinot parcel Boillot picked in 2011, this wine relies more on its big, ripe tannins than on its acids for balance. Really saturates the palate on the aftertaste.”
Henri Boillot Volnay Santenots 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Deep red-ruby. Black raspberry, dark chocolate, game and a wild hint of leather on the nose, with a floral element emerging with air. Sweet, rich, broad and deep, boasting a velour-like, utterly mouthfilling texture that’s rare for the vintage. Excellent acidity gives this firmly tannic, very long wine terrific energy and lift. Very strong Santenots.”
Henri Boillot Pommard Rugiens 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 21 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Good bright, deep red. Redcurrant, pepper, iron and earth tones on the nose, lifted by a suggestion of dried flowers. Reticent today but showing outstanding vinosity to its soil-driven flavors of redcurrant, spices, licorice, pepper and underbrush. Best today on the very long, floral back end, where the firm tannins currently clamp down on the wine’s fruit. This youthfully medicinal wine is tighter than the Volnay premier crus here and in need of a good seven or eight years of cellaring. Incidentally, Sebastien Boillot describes the family’s 2011s as less charming than the ’10s and ’12s and believes that they will need long aging.”
JM Boillot Volnay 2011 ($49.95) $39 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Light, bright red. Dark berries and spices complicated by licorice and game on the nose. Supple, round and juicy, with plum and underbrush flavors showing both sweet and savory qualities. In a more flattering style than the Beaune Epenottes, and the fine dusting of tannins will not get in the way of early enjoyment.”
JM Boillot Beaune Epenottes 1er Cru 2011 ($89.95) $69 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 88-90 points “Good full red. Aromatic nose offers black cherry, licorice, violet and chocolate, plus complicating hints of leather and smoke. Not fleshy but juicy and intense, with the black fruit, violet and chocolate notes carrying through on the palate. Finishes with supple, fine-grained tannins.”
JM Boillot Volnay Carelle Sous Chapelle 2011 ($89.95) $69 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Good bright red. Red berries, musky minerals and soil tones on the nose and palate. Supple, sweet and moderately rich; less suave than the village wine but stylish nonetheless. Finishes with good length and slightly drying tannins that hit the palate late.”
JM Boillot Volnay Pitures 1er Cru 2011 ($99.95) $75 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright pale red. Good red fruit lift on the nose, with complicating notes of menthol, minerals and game. Suave, juicy and fresh, offering lovely definition and cut to the flavors of red fruits and orange zest. Pulpy, bright wine with plenty of fruit intensity. Finishes sweet and long. Drink this now or hold it for five or six years.”
JM Boillot Pommard Jarollieres 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points ” Medium red-ruby. Aromas of black cherry and mocha; less floral and complex than the Volnay cuvees. Sweet and chewy on entry, then a bit cool, even austere, in the middle, showing a medicinal cast to the black fruit and chocolate flavors. Holding a lot in reserve but distinctly taut and clenched today. Finishes with tight tannins. Seems less ripe and rich than the Volnay Pitures.”
Chateau de La Tour Clos de Vougeot Classique 2011 ($139.95) $109 special 5 bottles available
Burghound 91-94 points “Subtle wood influence sets off notably ripe and dense aromas of violets, plum, earth and various floral nuances. There is excellent richness and power to the big-bodied, intense and well-delineated flavors that enjoy an impressive reserved of mouth coating dry extract, all wrapped in a very firm but impeccably well-balanced finish. This impressive effort should amply reward 12 to 15 years of cellar time.”
Chateau de La Tour Clos de Vougeot Vieilles Vignes 2011 ($219.95) $179 special 9 bottles available
Burghound 92-95 points “Deep ruby. Here the wood is relatively generous and less well-integrated though the aromatic profile of the ever-so-slightly riper nose is otherwise quite similar. There is more size, weight, power and concentration to the imposingly constructed flavors that are both supported and shaped by the tightly wound and extremely firm tannins, all wrapped in a mouth coating and hugely persistent finish. This displays terrific potential but it is a wine to buy only if you have the wherewithal and patience to wait.”
Digioia Royer Bourgogne Passetourgain 2011 ($19.95) $16 special 20 bottles available
Digioia Royer Bourgogne Rouge 2011 ($24.95) $21.90 special 24+ bottles available
Digioia Royer Nuits St Georges Les Charmois 2011 ($59.95) $49 special 6 bottles available
Digioia Royer Chambolle Musigny 2011 ($69.95) $59 special 24+ bottles available
Digioia Royer Chambolle Groseilles 2011 ($149.95) $119 special 6 bottles available
Digioia Royer Chambolle Gruenchers 2011 ($149.95) $119 special 5 bottles available
Dujac Fils & Pere Gevrey Chambertin 2011 ($89.95) $69 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 87-89 points “Good medium red. Spicy red and black cherry aromas lifted by a floral note. Rich, round and spicy, showing good tension and sexy earth tones to the cherry and stone flavors. Finishes juicy and sweet, with dusty tannins.”
Dujac Fils & Pere Morey St Denis 2011 ($89.95) $69 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer “Classic Morey aromas of briary berries and smoke, complicated by rose petal, pepper and spices. Juicy, spicy and pliant, showing strong mint and pepper qualities. Finishes with moderate length and good lift.”
Domaine Dujac Morey St Denis 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Bright medium red. Aromatically expressive, precise nose melds raspberry and spices. A step up in sweetness over the negociant version, with ripe red berry flavors perked up by pepper and spices. Has the solid material to support its firm tannic structure.”
Domaine Dujac Gevrey Chambertin Combottes 2011 ($249.95) $199 special 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 91 (+?) points “Captivating aromas of pristine red fruits, minerals and underbrush, plus a whiff of porcini. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, with terrific high-pitched precision to the red raspberry and cherry flavors. Lovely cut here, as well as a tannic spine that calls for four or five years of aging. Jeremy Seysses noted that with the estate’s clonal material, their grapes are riper. “We start pulling leaves on the north side of the vines not long after the flowering, and we get thicker skins,” he told me, adding that the estate’s 2011s are tannic wines.”
Domaine Dujac Vosne Romanee Malconsorts 2011 ($299.95) $249 special 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Deep, bright red. Sexy red raspberry and black cherry aromas and flavors are complicated by herbs and underbrush, plus an almost chocolatey suggestion of ripeness. Densely packed, rich and savory, with seductive soil tones contributing another dimension. A very rich, broad, velvety 2011 in a distinctly ripe style. Finishes with plenty of ripe, tongue-saturating tannins.”
Faiveley Volnay Santenots 2011 ($79.95) $66 special 23 bottles available
Burghound 90-92 points “As would typically be the case this is notably riper than the Frémiets with notes of cassis, plum and black cherry. There is equally good phenolic maturity to the quite solidly structured and even robust flavors that exhibit a taut muscularity before terminating in a delicious and complex finish. This is much less refined and mineral-driven but there is just more depth and a bit more persistence as well though patience will be necessary”
Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin Cazetiers 2011 750ml ($99.95) $79 special 24+ bottles available
Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin Cazetiers 2011 1.5LITER ($199.95) $169 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 (+?) points “Bright medium red with a palish rim. Lovely floral lift to the aromas of cherry pit, rose petal, mint and sexy new oak. Densely packed and silky, offering good size but a light touch. Red fruit, bitter chocolate, floral and mineral flavors display terrific precision. Finishes pure, gripping and long, with a firm underpinning of dusty but sweet tannins and a lingering floral quality. This one should evolve gracefully.”
Faiveley Chambolle Musigny Charmes 2011 ($109.95) $89 special 8 bottles available
Burghound 90-92 points “This is notably more refined aromatically than the Beaux Bruns with a pure and relatively high-toned nose composed primarily of various red berries with hints of plum and violets. There is equally comparable refinement on the palate as the delicious and attractively precise flavors are supported by very fine grained tannins on the admirably persistent finish. Textbook.”
Faiveley Nuits St Georges Les St Georges 2011 ($129.95) $109 special 15 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright medium red. Pure, refined nose offers scents of redcurrant, peony, rose petal, mint and orange peel. Juicy and elegant, with lovely cut giving razor-sharp focus to the red fruit, spice, floral and mineral flavors. Classically dry and youthfully imploded today, even a bit wiry and tart, but the wine’s saline stony minerality and firm tannic spine promise a graceful evolution in bottle. Impresses more for its finesse than for its flesh.”
Faiveley Chambolle Musigny Combe D’Orveau 2011 ($139.95) $119 special 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “(25% vendange entier; the lieu-dit is Petit Musigny): Medium red. Raspberry, pungent smoky minerality and truffley underbrush on the perfumed nose. Juicy, tactile and saline, with musky red raspberry fruit complicated by crushed-stone minerality. Mounts impressively on the chewy aftertaste.”
Faiveley Clos de Vougeot 2011 ($159.95) $136 special 11 bottles available
Burghound 92-94 points “An attractively complex and unusually refined nose speaks of red currant, kirsch, soft earth and a hint of wood spice. There is a refined mouth feel to the larger-scaled flavors thanks to the fine grain of the ripe and well-integrated tannins on the mildly austere and impressively long, indeed even explosive finish. This is terrific and the backend offers the same excellent depth the nose promises. Lovely stuff.”
Faiveley Corton Clos de Corton 2011 ($199.95) $149 special 24+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Medium red. Ineffable nose and palate offer red fruits, minerals, spices and flowers, complicated by game, earth and leather. Sweet, concentrated and very intense, boasting outstanding density and a fine-grained texture, with salty minerality giving the wine a weightless impression that’s remarkable considering its density. A strong tannic spine and brisk acidity energize and draw out the finish of this sharply delineated, pristine grand cru.”
Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Beze 2011 ($329.95) $259 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 (+?) points “Medium red. Highly nuanced yet quite primary on the nose, offering scents of raspberry, underbrush, dried rose, ginger and smoky oak. Juicy, saline and quite dry, with dark berry and strawberry flavors complicated by an earthy perfume. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and excellent length. With 24 hours in the recorked bottle, this beauty showed a silkier texture and chewy, deep flavors of raspberry and spices that saturate the palate without leaving any impression of weight. A great effort for the vintage.”
Frederic Esmonin Mazy Chambertin 2011 ($119.95) $89 special 5 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “A discreet application of wood sets off a combination of both red and dark pinot fruit along with sauvage, humus and stone notes. This is unusually concentrated for an Esmonin Mazis with ripe supporting tannins shaping the fleshy and seductively textured medium-bodied flavors that brim with a fine minerality on the impressively well-balanced and persistent finish. This is terrific and given the attractive prices for which the Esmonin wines typically sell, this should be on your buy list as it offers both quality and value, not something that can be said about all grands crus plus it should age well.”
Frederic Esmonin Ruchottes Chambertin 2011 ($119.95) $89 special 5 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “This is also exceptionally fresh with ripe and spicy dark berry fruit that displays whispers of truffle, stone and underbrush. The stony character is front and center on the textured and relatively precise middle weight flavors that are supported by phenolically ripe tannins that are more refined than those of the Mazis before terminating in a balanced and mildly austere finish that delivers outstanding length. Like the Mazis, this offers both excellent quality and value in an ageworthy package.”
Gouges Nuits St Georges 2011 375ml ($39.95) $33 special 12 bottles available
Gouges Nuits St Georges 2011 750ml ($69.95) $55 special 24 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 87-89 points “Good bright, deep red. Strong animal reduction along with black and red fruits on the nose. Silky and supple for a Nuits villages owing to ripe acidity, with a lovely restrained sweetness to its dark fruit flavors. Finishes with suave tannins and good breadth and length. Very nicely balanced.”
Gouges Nuits St Georges Chenes Carteaux 2011 ($79.95) $69 special 24+ bottles available
Burghound 89-92 points “A discreet touch of wood surround the ripe and well-layered mix of red berry fruit scents that are liberally laced with earth and underbrush nuances. There is good ripeness to the suave, even seductive middle weight flavors that possess really lovely depth on the persistent, balanced and harmonious finish. This is really quite good and worth considering.”
Gouges Nuits St Georges Chaignots 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points “Bright medium red. Precise aromas and flavors of blackberry, violet, licorice, minerals and musky chocolate. Juicy and sharply delineated, with noteworthy intensity of flavor. Spreads out nicely and vibrates on the long, firm finish.”
Gouges Nuits St Georges Clos des Porrets St Georges 2011 ($89.95) $79 special 24+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Bright medium red. Liqueur-like aromas of cherry and raspberry. Sweet red fruit and spice flavors are lifted by notes of rose petal, herbs and pepper. Has the freshness and balance to give early pleasure. Finishes with lingering pepper-and-spice perfume and very good length.”
Gouges Nuits St Georges Pruliers 2011 ($99.95) $89 special 21 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright medium red. Reticent high-toned aromas of slightly jammy red fruits and earth. Sweet and ripe; richer and deeper than the Porrets Saint-Georges, with silky red cherry, currant and spice flavors enlivened by pungent peppery acidity. Nicely balanced, round wine with good buffering extract.”
Hospices de Beaune Rousseau-Deslandes 2011 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $219 special 3 bottles available
Beaune Premier Cru, Elevage by Lucien Le Moine
JN Gagnard Chassagne Rouge L’Estimee 2011 ($37.95) $29 special 24+ bottles available
Burghound 88 points “A very fresh and expressive nose of red and blue pinot fruit with pepper and earth hints leads to rich, delicious and nicely complex middle weight flavors that offer good persistence and only a mild touch of rusticity on the sappy finish. This should be approachable, and enjoyable, young if desired”
Jadot Cotes de Nuits Villages Vaucrain 2011 ($34.95) $27 special 12 bottles available
Jadot Corton Clos du Roi 2011 ($84.95) $69 special 3 bottles available
Jadot Vosne Romanee Petit Monts 2011 ($129.95) $99 special 3 bottles available
Jadot Beaune Bressandes 2011 ($44.95) $33 special 6 bottles available
Burghound 87-89 points “This is slightly riper than the Savigny and more floral as well with its attractive mix of white orchard fruit and softly oaky aromas. There is plenty of flesh to the mid-palate as the enveloping middle weight flavors possess a seductive mouth feel, all wrapped in a forward, delicious and easy-to-like finish.”
Jadot Pommard 2011 ($49.95) $41.90 special 24 bottles available
Pommard is often considered the most “masculine” Côte de Beaune red. This is a firm, full-bodied wine that is nevertheless exceptionally round and generous, with a fruity depth of character and earthy aromas and flavors.
Jadot Nuits St Georges 2011 ($52.95) $41.90 special 24 bottles available
Burghound 87-89 points “An earthy and quite somber nose of dark berries, underbrush and cassis aromas slides into attractively round and supple flavors that possess good volume before culminating in a delicious if mildly rustic finish. The tannins are ripe and well-integrated and this is a classic Nuits villages in character and style.”
Jadot Gevrey Chambertin 2011 ($52.95) $41.90 special 24 bottles available
John Gilman 90 points “The Jadot team vinified the Gevrey AC in its entirety and this too, is a very strong village wine in 2011. The deep, quite red fruity and superb nose jumps from the glass in a mix of cherries, blood orange, grilled meats, mustard seed, dark soil tones and cedar. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, complex and very soil-driven, with excellent focus and balance, fine-grained tannins and very good length and grip on the backend. Another excellent village wine, and this too will receive a chunk of premier crus into the final blend before bottling!”
Jadot Beaune Clos des Ursules 2011 ($59.95) $49 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-93 points “Medium red. Reticent aromas of redcurrant and flowers. Sweet and suave but youthfully unevolved owing to the late malolactic fermentation. Juicy, nicely delineated flavors of raspberry and rose petal. Finishes with firm but sweet tannins and enticing lift. This holds out considerable promise.”
Jadot Nuits St Georges Boudots Gagey 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 18 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 (+?) points “Medium red. Brooding aromas of dark fruits, mint and menthol. Rich and deep on the palate, with spicy red fruit flavors lifted by a note of orange peel. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and juicy persistence.”
Jadot Vosne Romanee Suchots 2011 ($129.95) $99 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “(15% vendange entier): Good medium red. Soil-driven aromas of raspberry, minerals, mocha, pepper and chocolate. Very concentrated and complex but youthfully backward today, showing excellent energy to the flavors of raspberry, crushed stone, spices and flowers. Finishes with captivating building sweetness. A lot of potential here.”
Jadot Chambolle Musigny Fuees 2011 ($129.95) $99 special 6 bottles available
Burghound 90-92 points “Moderate wood frames a very pretty nose of high-toned raspberry, cherry and subtle menthol nuances. There is plenty of the characteristic minerality to the refined and attractively vibrant medium weight flavors that possess a distinctly saline character on the clean and mildly austere finish. The tannins are firm but quite fine-grained and this should age well as the balance is impeccable.”
Jadot Clos de Vougeot 2011 ($149.95) $119 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Good medium red. Raspberry, redcurrant and strong spicy oak on the nose. Densely packed but a bit youthfully rough today, with raspberry and spicy oak flavors framed by sound acidity and substantial dusty tannins. Plenty of breadth and energy here but this grand cru will need at least a couple more years to harmonize in bottle.”
Jadot Gevrey Chambertin Clos St Jacques 2011 ($169.95) $129 special 16 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Good medium red. Red berries, coffee and mocha on the nose, with a note of blood orange emerging with air. Began large-scaled and spicy but rather inexpressive, but aeration brought greater sweetness of fruit and elegance, with a whiff of blood orange providing lift. Ultimately more expansive than the Estournelles but this wine will need at least a few years in the cellar following its release.”
Jadot Echezeaux 2011 ($179.95) $139 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Medium red. Vibrant aromas of red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, spices and nutty oak. Broad and savory on the palate; in a dry style but shows good weight and texture to its flavors of tart red berries and spices. Nicely filled in, yet at the same time taut and penetrating. Finishes with ripe tannins, sneaky subtle sweetness and a lovely light touch.”
Jadot Chapelle Chambertin 2011 ($219.95) $169 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Bright, full medium red. Knockout nose shows an almost candied character to the aromas of strawberry, cherry, dark berries, lavender, menthol and Indian spices. Dense, suave and juicy, with a distinctly silky texture to the broad flavors of red fruits, menthol and spices. Utterly seamless, suave, classically dry Chapelle with outstanding energy and definition. Still tight today but the wine’s fine-grained tannins and superb breadth and length suggest that it will make a great bottle a decade hence.”
Jadot Grands Echezeaux 2011 ($289.95) $239 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “Good bright medium red. Medicinal cherry liqueur, red licorice and spicy oak on the nose. Then penetrating and intense but suave, with lovely sappiness to the flavors of raspberry, cranberry and flowers. The grower Jadot buys this fruit from has recently added a vibrating sorting table, and converted entirely to new stainless steel fermentation tanks as of 2010.”
Jadot Bonnes Mares 2011 ($279.95) $249 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright, deep red. Initially explosive aromas and flavors of cherry, menthol, incense and spices subsided in favor of blueberry, crushed stone and peppermint tea: very Bonnes-Mares! Wonderfully silky and scented in the mouth, displaying very good breadth but a light touch. Finishes with a broad, fine dusting of tannins and excellent length and lift. A compellingly perfumed and pure wine: am I greedy for wanting the flesh and sweetness of a warmer year?”
Jadot Chambertin Clos de Beze 2011 ($299.95) $249 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “Good medium red. Extravagantly complex nose combines raspberry, wild rose, crushed rock, clove, mocha and wild herbs. Wonderfully subtle, spherical and nuanced, communicating an almost 3-D texture to the flavors of red berries, spices, licorice, herbs and flowers. The wine’s firm spine of tannins is utterly covered by lush, fleshy fruit today. The thick, slowly rising finish washes over the palate like a wave.”
Jadot Le Musigny 2011 ($599.95) $479 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “Medium red. Reticent but pristine aromas of cranberry, raspberry and clove oil, plus an exhilarating suggestion of candied fruit. Superconcentrated, silky and utterly seamless; wonderfully spherical wine with great fruit intensity and complexity and a pungent crushed stone element. Combines a texture of liquid velvet with an almost magically light touch. Finishes with noble tannins and great length and grip. Even sweeter on the finish than the Amoureuses. Great wine in the making.”
JJ Confuron Romanee St Vivant 2011 ($379.95) $299 special 6 bottles available
Burghound 91-94 points “A discreetly if broadly spicy nose of violets and black pinot fruit is quite cool and pure. There is a fine sense of focus to the silky-textured medium weight flavors that possess seriously good depth and balance on the strikingly long finish. There is a real sense of harmony here and while the tannins are quite fine they are also dense and this will require at least a decade of cellaring to arrive at its peak. Lovely.”
Domaine des Lambrays Clos des Lambrays 2011 ($199.95) $179 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Bright, deep red. Showy nose melds cherry, raspberry, white pepper, coffee, spices and smoky underbrush. Utterly suave, silky and fine-grained, but with firm tannins giving the fairly full mid-palate plenty of support for two decades or more of positive development in bottle. Most impressive today on the very long, subtle, rising finish, which leaves the mouth feeling refreshed.”
Lucien Le Moine Clos de la Roche 2011 ($299.95) $219 special 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 93-96 points “…the 2011 Clos de la Roche has an expressive bouquet with lifted raspberry, crushed strawberry and red currant notes that blossom in the glass. The palate is very well-defined on the entry with crisp red fruit, cold stones, citrus fruit and a touch of black currant. The acidity is very well-judged, the finish sophisticated and beautifully poised. Excellent.”
Lucien Le Moine Latricieres Chambertin 2011 ($349.95) $279 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 92-95 points “Don’t miss!-Noticeable but not prominent oak frames restrained, cool and stony red pinot fruit scents that complement perfectly the textured, mineral-inflected and notably taut medium full-bodied flavors brimming with dry extract on the explosive and energetic finish that is finer than that of the Charmes. There is plenty of underlying tension and I very much admire the balance and obvious class though note that patience will be required.”
Liger Belair Bourgogne Rouge 2011 ($27.95) $20.90 special 24+ bottles available
Liger Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Reas 2011 ($129.95) $88 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “(from vines planted in 1954; Liger-Belair does not normally vinify his parcels planted on calcaire soils with their stems): Good deep red. Reduced nose hints at pepper, squid ink and graphite. A bit darker in fruit character than the Toppe au Vert, offering very good intensity and lift and solid underlying minerality nicely buffered by the wine’s flesh. Creamy-sweet, fine-grained wine with a wild raspberry character. Finishes impressively long, with smooth tannins. A great village wine in the making.”
Liger Belair Nuits St Georges Les St Georges 2011 ($159.95) $109 special 24+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “(all of the barrels for this wine were made from oak planted in white, limestone-rich soils): Bright red. Locked up tight on the nose. Very rich, sappy and concentrated but with a medicinal reserve to the black fruit and spice flavors. Quite backward today and dominated by its structure. Most impressive on the very long, firm, mouth-saturing finish, which leaves the taste buds quivering. Incidentally, Liger-Belair replanted half of his Saint-Georges in April of 2011 due to the severe loss of vines he suffered during the sharp frost in December of 2009. He produced just 25 hectoliters per hectare of Saint-Georges in 2011 and 11 in 2012.”
Liger Belair Clos de Vougeot 2011 ($199.95) $166 special 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points & Burghound “Bright, dark red-ruby. Vibrant aromas of blackberry, licorice and wild herbs, along with a smoky carbon suggestion. Densely packed and highly concentrated, with a firm tannic spine giving shape and definition to the fresh dark berry flavors. Plenty of stuffing here for balance but this very closed wine will probably need up to a decade of bottle aging to blossom.”
Liger Belair Richebourg 2011 ($499.95) $389 special 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93-96 points “Deep, bright red with a hint of ruby. Very fresh, pure aromas and flavors of black raspberry, cassis, minerals and flowers. Combines outstanding density with nearly brutal medicinal reserve: if the Clos Vougeot is a baby, this is a fetus. Incredibly tangy wine with outstanding intensity and energy. Expands dramatically on the sappy, chewy back half, spreading out horizontally to coat the palate with leaving any impression of weight. With its ripe, chewy tannins and powerful crushed stone character, this really leaves the taste buds humming.”
Matrot Bourgogne Rouge 2011 ($27.95) $21.90 special 24+ bottles available
Matrot Saint Aubin Creots 2011 ($44.95) $35 special 12 bottles available
Matrot Meursault Rouge 2011 ($49.95) $39 special 12 bottles available
Matrot Monthelie 2011 ($49.95) $39 special 24+ bottles available
Matrot Volnay Santenots 1er Cru 2011 ($69.95) $59 special 12 bottles available
JM Millot Cotes de Nuits Aux Faulques 2011 ($34.95) $29 special 19 bottles available
JM Millot Echezeaux 2011 ($159.95) $135 special 3 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “A discreet hint of wood sets off exuberantly spicy aromas of red and black pinot fruit that displays lovely earth tones that are also picked up by the supple, round and seductively textured medium-bodied flavors. There is a beguiling natural sweetness to the mouth coating and relatively firm, balanced and persistent finish.”
Domaine de Montille Volnay Les Mitans 2011 ($129.95) $89 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “(100% vendange entier; 20% new oak; small, concentrated berries from old vines): Good medium red. Lovely subtle perfume of cherry and raspberry liqueur lifted by a peppery element. Sweet, dense and lively but restrained on the palate, with distinctly dark flavors of blueberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. The brooding finish features broad, palate-coating tannins. I like the peppery stem element here as it contributes energy without overpowering the wine’s fruit.”
Domaine de Montille Volnay Taillepieds 2011 ($139.95) $89 special 3 bottles available
Burghound 91-94 points “There is enough reduction present to mask the nuances of the nose though the floral character does sneak past the funk. There is a wonderfully silky texture to the intense mineral and soil-inflected medium-bodied flavors that display really lovely delineation on the moderately austere and very firmly structured finish that delivers outstanding depth and length. This should improve for years to come and this is really most impressive.”
Domaine de Montille Clos de Vougeot 2011 ($199.95) $125 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “(vinified entirely with whole clusters; 40% new oak): Good full red. Lovely high-pitched aromas of black cherry, blackberry, licorice and violet. Deep, sappy and vinous, with an enticing savory/sweet quality to the intense flavors of wild dark berries, violet and graphite. Finishes with firm-edged tannins, a very primary medicinal black cherry note, and lovely floral lift. This will need at least four or five years of bottle aging. Chef de cave Sieve noted that the domain owns parcels on either side of the tower in Clos Vougeot, with part of its vines located in a frost pocket that was hit hard in December of 2009.”
JF Mugnier Nuits St Georges Marechale 2011 375ml ($54.95) $41.90 special 12 bottles available
JF Mugnier Nuits St Georges Marechale 2011 750ml ($119.95) $77 special 24+ bottles available
Burghound 90-92 points “A pure and appealingly fresh nose of relatively elegant red berry fruit is liberally laced with earth and spice hints. There is a lilting mouth feel to the energetic, intense and equally pure medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of that beguiling sense of underlying tension that makes wines like this so refreshing. There isn’t the class of the Fuées but this is really very good plus I very much like the balance and harmony of the firm and lingering finish.”
JF Mugnier Chambolle Musigny Fuees 2011 ($299.95) $179 special 9 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright medium red. Reticent aromas of raspberry, strawberry and crushed stone. Rounder and sweeter than the village wine, with sexy herb and spice notes giving lift to the supple middle palate. Really saturates the mouth on the rising, echoing finish. Has a solid tannic spine to support a graceful evolution in bottle. Showing more stuffing than it did from barrel a year ago.”
JF Mugnier Bonnes Mares 2011 ($499.95) $389 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Bright medium red. Briary crushed raspberry, white pepper and peony on the nose, accented by a piquant note of blood orange. Juicy, precise and penetrating, with lovely cut to the red fruit and spice flavors. Little greenness or earthiness showing. Finishes spicy, brisk, firm and very long. A great showing today; I might have picked this blind as the Amoureuses!”
JF Mugnier Le Musigny 2011 ($1399.95) $1199 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 93-96 points “Here too there is enough reduction to cause problems in gauging the nose. Like the Amoureuses however there is a simply brilliant mouth feel as the structure in incredibly fine yet there is also a real sense of power and muscle but it’s delivered with the grace of a ballerina. The subtlety and sheer depth are flat out fantastic and the sense of Zen-like harmony is genuinely superlative. In short, this is a knockout and interestingly this should drink well both young and old as the balance is perfect.”
Hudelot Noellat Romanee St Vivant 2011 ($599.95) $499 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 93-95 points “As one would reasonably expect this is quite different and much more elegant with its broad-based combination of spice elements that include hoisin and soy that liberally laced throughout the red currant, plum and violet scents. There is a fleshy yet precise character to the brilliantly detailed flavors that are akin to pure silk on the palate, all wrapped in a gorgeously persistent finish. This is very classy and though it is not necessarily more complex than the Clos de Vougeot, it is even longer.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2011 ($119.95) $89 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright medium red. Cherry, raspberry, smoke, minerals and pungent spices on the expressive nose. Sexy, tangy, sharply delineated flavors of red fruits and spices complicated by a whiff of game. Less dense than the 2012 version but displays lovely cut and vivacity. Finishes brisk and persistent. Serafin describes his 2011s as elegant and less tannic than his 2012s, and made from bigger grapes. Crop levels were off only about 10% from average, making this vintage the closest to normal of the last four.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Corbeaux 2011 ($119.95) $99 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points “Bright, full medium red. Raspberry, blueberry and blackberry fruit aromas are complicated by smoky minerality. Quite closed in the mouth, with brisk acidity contributing to an impression of firm structure. Not a silky style, but serious and persistent. The high level of CO2 is no doubt responsible for some of the wine’s present hardness.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Fontenys 2011 ($159.95) $119 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 (+?) points “Moderately saturated medium red. Black cherry, raspberry and a whiff of meat on the nose, lifted by pungent pepper and blood orange treble notes. Less open than the village wine, showing lovely spicy lift to the flavors of red fruits and flowers. Juicy, elegant Gevrey with serious length and lingering spice character.”
Serafin Morey St Denis Millandes 2011 ($159.95) $119 special 12 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points “Here too there is mild reduction which renders the nose difficult to assess in depth though again the underlying fruit appears to be ripe. There is excellent volume, power and a taut muscularity to the concentrated and mineral-tinged medium weight flavors that culminate in an austere, backward and highly persistent finish. This is very old school in style and will require ample patience for it to develop, yet will be well worth the wait.”
Serafin Chambolle Musigny Les Baudes 2011 ($149.95) $119 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright, moderately saturated red. Spicy aromas of blackberry, licorice and violet. Tight and serious in the mouth, with dark berry and violet pastille flavors accompanied by strong coffee/mocha torrefaction. At once feminine and firm, finishing with sound tannins and acids. Very different in style from the Gevreys here.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Cazetiers 2011 ($219.95) $169 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Moderately saturated medium red. Very reticent but pure aromas of redcurrant, dark cherry, earth, leather and spices. A dense, nicely balanced midweight, with ripe acidity giving shape to the cherry, licorice and espresso flavors. Firmly tannic but with plenty of thickness of texture to support its backbone. Finishes chewy and long but youthfully tight, with lovely aromatic persistence. I’d hold this until 2020.”
Faiveley Chablis Les Preuses 2011 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special 22 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “This offers markedly better complexity on the cool and pure aromas of iodine, tidal pool and white orchard fruit. There is fine intensity to the attractively mineral-driven medium-bodied flavors that are at once succulent yet precise, all wrapped in a harmonious and beautifully lingering finish.”
Faiveley Chablis Les Clos 2011 ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special 22 bottles available
Burghound 92 points “A classic Les Clos nose of oyster shell, white flowers and wet stone leads to intensely mineral-inflected and broad-shouldered flavors that display cuts-like-a-knife delineation before culminating in a clean and very dry finish. There is a note of petrol to the finish that adds to the unmistakable Chablis character.”
Faiveley Gevrey La Combe Aux Moines 2011 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-92 points “Bright medium red. Lively aromas of redcurrant, red cherry and pepper, plus a whiff of game. Shows strong graphite and pepper notes in the mouth, but the wine’s fruit is currently suppressed by sulfur. Finishes saline, dense and chewy, with more obvious tannins than the Chambolle cuvees. This needs the sweetening influence of a racking.”
Faiveley Nuits St Georges Les Porets St-Georges 2011 ($74.95) $59 pre-arrival special 24+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Good bright, dark red. Pure aromas of rose petal and exotic Middle Eastern spices. Juicy and on the cool side, showing a distinctly incisive character and excellent lift to the perfumed red berry and mineral flavors. Still quite tightly wound and restrained. The impression of tactile minerality carries through to the aromatic, long finish.”
Faiveley Nuits St Georges Les Pruliers 2011 ($74.95) $59 pre-arrival special 24 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points “Bright medium red. Pungent flinty minerality and smoke on the nose. Very sweet, lightly saline redcurrant and raspberry flavors show modest complexity and definition. Finishes with slightly tough tannins and a touch of dryness. Needs following. This vineyard is part of Faiveley’s large contract to purchase all of Domaine Zibetti’s fruit: 2011 was the first vintage.”
Faiveley Nuits St Georges Aux Chaignots 2011 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright medium red. Pungent, high-pitched scents of raspberry, blood orange and menthol, plus a touch of new oak. Subtly intense red berry flavors are accented by pepper and herbs. Round in the middle but tangy and precise too. Finishes with good juicy cut and length.”
Faiveley Nuits St Georges Les Damodes 2011 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special 24+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “(50% new oak; no whole clusters): Good bright, deep red. Soil-driven aromas and flavors of red berries, caraway seed, mocha, chocolate and spices, lifted by a floral topnote. Tactile and intense, with strong saline minerality contributing to the impression of energy and precision. Finishes with suave, fine-grained tannins and excellent lift.”
Faiveley Volnay Fremiets 2011 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-92 points “(this and the following wines were still in barrel in November; this vineyard was picked first in 2011, along with the Beaune Clos de L’Ecu): Bright red. Pungent red fruits and orange peel on the lively nose. Reticent and rather tight in the mouth, but with a suave grain and lovely lift to the red fruit flavors. Quite closed in the early going.”
Faiveley Pommard Rugiens 2011 ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “Good bright, full red. Medicinal red cherry, rose petal and licorice on the pure but reticent nose. Deep, sappy and spicy in the mouth, displaying excellent lift for the vintage. Finishes with terrific saline breadth and suave tannins. This very rich and sophisticated Rugiens will need time in bottle.”
Faiveley Echezeaux 2011 ($159.95) $139 pre-arrival special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Good bright, medium red. Red cherry, redcurrant, smoke and white pepper on the nose, complemented by mellow oak tones. Rich, dense and silky, with a dominant flavor of sweet raspberry. Really opens out on the back half, then grips the palate on the very long finish, which features a note of bitter orange zest. This wine began with the lowest potential alcohol of all of Faiveley’s grand cru holdings in 2011 (it was 11.8%, chaptalized to 12.6%), and will rely as much on its acidity as on its tannins for aging.”
Faiveley Latricieres Chambertin 2011 ($159.95) $149 pre-arrival special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Good full medium red. High-pitched aromas of raspberry, crushed stone, white pepper, blood orange and flowers. Tight today and folded in on itself, with some excess CO2 currently suppressing the mid-palate fruit. Fairly tough tannins cut off the wine’s finishing flavors, but the intensity and precision of this grand cru suggest that it will reward seven or eight years of cellaring.”