Ampeau 1996 Meursault 1er Cru Perrières

Ampeau 1996 Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Combettes

Beaufort (Amaury) 2015 Bourgogne Tonnerre Vaumorillon

Bonneau du Martray 1996 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

Brooks, Anne Bavard 2016 Bourgogne La Combe Blanc (Organic)

Domaine Anne Bavard-Brooks is located in Puligny-Montrachet and has been organic and biodynamic since 2005. The "La Combe" vineyard is in the village of Puligny with 35 year-old vines on silt and clay soils over limestone, 200 cases made. The palate is round and dense with flavors of pear, fines-herbes, almond, citrus, honeysuckle, and brown spice. The finish is long and ripe with citrus and stone flavors that linger. This is a quite complex and well-balanced Burgundy that will accompany a wide variety of seafood and poultry dishes and mild cheeses. Drinking beautifully now, this will cellar nicely over the next 5 years or more.

Catherine et Gilles Vergé 2013 Viré Le Balaise

Champs de l'Abbaye 2016 Rully Les Cailloux

The Hasard's have 1/2 hectare in Rully with 35 year-old organic vines planted on clay and limestone soils. The grapes are hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in barrel. The 2016 is racier than past vintages, with tightly knit, beam-like acidity springing forward upon opening. Aromas of earthy Bosc pear, lime flower, salty river stone, and soft toasty notes from new wood use. The palate is austere and lighter than the 2015, with flavors of white peach, lime zest, mint, and stone on the finish. The flavors and texture become more supple on the second day, showing hints of smoked pineapple, white flower, seashell, and fleshy pear. A lovely wine in its youth that becomes more expressive and elegant with air, this should be beautiful in 5-10years. Amanda Bowman

Champs de l'Abbaye 2017 Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay

From Chardonnay grown on an excellent limestone/clay parcel in Aluze, next to Mercurey. Certified organic, hand-harvested, low yields, very long (10 month) wild-yeast fermentation in barrel. The 2017 shows lovely aromas of dried pear, melon, fines herbes, wet stone, and lemon peel—showing Chardonnay's relation to the Melon de Bourgogne of Muscadet!  The palate shows very firm acidity underneath lime flower, citrus rind, and  ripe white fruits with a touch of oak, almond and mineral flavors. The finish is long and bracing, with white fruits and citrus, very much in the stye of De Moor in Chablis. This is an elegant racy, stylish white Burgundy that is a great value as well. David Lillie

Chavy, Philippe 2016 Bourgogne Chardonnay

Fresh and cool-toned aromatically, the 2016 Philippe Chavy Bourgogne Blanc balances charm and  energy at a civilized (for white Burgundy) price point. Meyer lemon, white flower and stone fruit aromas dominate the nose. The briskly fresh palate displays citrus peel, white apricot, and stony flavors on a succulent and zesty finish with good mineral detail. A fine aperitif, but with enough depth to grace the table with shellfish, sea bass, and milder cheeses. John McIlwain

Chavy, Philippe 2016 Meursault Narvaux

The 2016 Meursault Les Narvaux is a vibrant and mineral expression of the clay limestone terroir. The nose offers a fine combination of white flowers, citrus peel, and wet stone aromas framed by a touch of oak, while the palate offers a good tension between concentrated yellow fruit flavors and an overt minerality carrying over to the long, detailed finish. This is displaying nascent complexity and should reveal even more layers with a couple of years in the cellar. Superb Narvaux! John McIlwain

Chavy, Philippe 2016 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes

Chevrot 2016 Bourgogne Aligote "Quatre Terroirs"

An Aligoté of startling intensity and freshness. Stone and lemon flavors are given drive and buoyancy by a driving minerality. In an especially trying vintage Pablo Chevrot has delivered a few absolute gems and this is one of the brightest! Highly recommended! John McIlwain

Collet, Romain 2016 Chablis Les Pargues

The road of minerality is (often) paved with Kimmeridgian limestone. White flowers, sea spray, wet stone, quinine, lemon pith on nose. Salt, citrus, green tea, and nearly kinetic stoniness on the palate. Vibrant, energetic, incandescent, and lifted on the finish. Just the thing for a platter of oysters, sautéed flounder, or fresh goat cheeses. John McIlwain

De Moor (Vendangeur Masqué) 2016 VDF Compagnie Meridionale

The De Moors suffered terrible loses due to frost and hail in 2016 and 2017 - They have been aided by friends in the south and have made delicious "Vendangeurs Maqué" wines, this one with Grenache Blanc from Julie Brosselin and Eric Pfifferling, Viogniers from Gérald Oustric and Gramenon, Roussanne from Eric Texier and Clairete from Pierre Pradel.

de Villaine, A et P 2016 Bourgogne Blanc Les Clous Aimé

de Villaine, A. et P. 2016 Rully Blanc Les St. Jacques

De Villaine, A.et P. 2016 Bouzeron Aligoté

If there's a "grand cru" for the Aligoté grape it is probably in the appellation of Bouzeron. And Domaine A & P de Villaine  produces one of best. The  low-yielding, aromatic Aligoté d'Or grapes are farmed organically, pressed gently, and fermented in tank and oak casks.  A bright and briny Bouzeron from Aubert de Villaine displays the chalky, ground oyster shell nerviness of the Aligoté grape. The 2016 offers aromas of sea breeze, Meyer lemon peel, lemon verbena, and white fruits on the nose. Citrus fruit and saline character mark the racy, brisk palate with a long chalky lifted finish. Enjoy with fresh goat cheeses, or a platter of raw oysters. John McIlwain

Domaine d'Edouard 2015 Côtes d'Auxerre Chardonnay

Duplessis, Gérard 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

Duplessis, Gérard 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume

Duplessis, Gérard 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu

Fichet 2016 Meursault Les Tessons

The 2016 Fichet Meursault Les Tessons has a gold-green robe. Upon opening there’s a fair amount of reduction with aromas of citrus, ripe apple, and stone, which give way after a couple of hours to ripe orchard fruit, hazelnut, wet stones, and lemon curd. The mid-weight palate offers a firm core of minerality with fine density and pure, vibrant ripe fruit that offers a perfect balance of richness to accompany a deeply stony, palate-staining finish. This is a truly beautiful Tessons that should age effortlessly. I love Fichet’s wines, but this is truly beautiful and emotionally satisfying. I’d lay this down for 5-8 years and enjoy for the next 15-20. A truly fantastic Tessons and shows just how adept Jean-Philippe Fichet is in even hugely difficult vintages. John McIlwain

Fougeray de Beauclair 2012 Fixin Clos Marion

Germain, Henri 2016 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er cru Morgeot Les Fairendes

Germain, Henri 2016 Meursault 1er cru Charmes

Germain, Henri 2016 Meursault 1er cru Poruzots

Guillot, Julien (Vignes du Maynes) 2016 Macon Chardonnay Clos Fourneau

A new wine from Julien Guillot at the Clos des Vignes du Maynes, the 2016 Macon "Clos Fourneau" is 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Gris. The wine shows floral, honeyed aromas of pear, white peach and candied citrus. Ripe stone fruits on the palate are wrapped in bright citrusy acids with chalky mineral flavors that continue in the finish with  lemon and stone. Try this with melon and prosciutto or a full flavored fish such as halibut or monkfish. This will improve with a long decant or three to five years in the cellar.

Lafouge 2016 Auxey-Duresses Les Boutonniers

"Les Boutonniers" is contiguous with Meursault "Meix Chavaux" on shallow soils of clay, high in iron, over the limestone bedrock, usually giving a somewhat lean and very "mineral" white Burgundy, but still with a bit more fat and fruit expression than the Lafouge  "Les Hautés."  The 2016 shows very floral aromas with pear, citrus and stone. The palate is crystalline, supple and dense, with nice weight on the palate, with pretty white fruits leading to a long finish with citrus peel, spice and mineral flavors. This is a lovely, very refreshing Burgundy to enjoy with grilled fish, roast chicken and goat cheeses. It's delicious now and will cellar nicely for eight to ten years. DL

Lafouge 2016 Auxey-Duresses Les Hautés Blanc

From a north-facing parcel fairly high on the slope next to Meursault Les Vireuils. The Lafouge "Les Hautés" is a beautifully dense and well-structured Burgundy in this low-yielding vintage. The wine shows a bright gold color with aromas of spiced pear and apple, melon, honeysuckle, stone, flint and lemon zest. The palate is dense and well structured with ripe white fruits, toasted almond, citrus and flinty mineral flavors - quite ripe but with firm citrusy acids and fabulous length.  Serve now with sole meunier, turbot and cod - this will be a beautiful wine with 5 to 8 years of cellaring. David Lillie

Lafouge 2016 Meursault Les Casses-Têtes

The Meursault  lieu-dit Les Casses Têtes is located on the hillside above the premier cru Les Gouttes d'Or and next to Le Tesson. The soils are thin and rocky producing wines of great energy and lift.Green-gold robe. White flowers, honeysuckle, lemon blossom, faint creaminess on the nose with aromas of wet stone, citrus peel and pith following. This is bright and cool-toned aromatically, and not just a bit reticent on opening. The palate is nervy and electric on the attack with a salty mineral cast, followed by flavors of orchard fruit, lemon curd, and hints of green tea on a lean, albeit concentrated mid-palate with a pleasing bit of bitterness on the succulent, rising finish. This is mouth-watering and has a coiled tension that hints at greater complexity to accompany the vibrant, juicy character at the moment. I like the energy and suspect this will put on weight and benefit from short to mid-term aging and beyond. On day 2 the wine has picked up weight and gras with more stone fruit flavors and still more mineral spice notes and layered complexity. The aromatics have taken on more dimension as well with richer fruit, a touch of toast, and a hint of sea spray. There is far more here than meets the eye, so I'd decant if enjoying now or age for a few years to allow the elements to knit. Perhaps not cut from the same cloth as the excellent 2014, but fantastic energy and surprising depth the longer it's open. Paired with pan-roasted scallops, braised leeks, and Sea Island grits. Would likely be a splendid pairing with sautéed flounder and brown butter or poulet à la creme. For lovers of well-priced, pure Burgundies, Lafouge is always worth investigating. John McIlwain

Lafouge 2016 Meursault Les Meix Chavaux

Lamy, Hubert 2016 Santenay 1er Cru Gravières

Lamy, Hubert 2016 St Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes 375ml

The 2016 Hubet Lamy St Aubin Les Frionnes 1er cru is a stellar expression of the vintage. Again there's the kaleidoscopic array of white fruit and citrus aromas giving way to almost briny sea spray notes. The palate displays a galloping drive that has one struggling for synonyms for energy. This has pure white fruit flavors and a geologist's textbook worth of stoniness and with a few years in the cellar this ought to flesh out into a truly lovely wine. John McIlwain

Latour, Louis 1996 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

Lignier, Hubert 2015 St. Romain Blanc

Moreau, Bernard 2016 St. Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly

Moreau, Bernard 2016 Bourgogne Blanc

Moreau-Naudet 2016 Chablis 375ml

Morot, Albert 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Les Aigrots Blanc

Pernot 2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles

Pernot, Paul 2016 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

Pinson Frères 2017 Chablis

Piuze, Patrick 2010 Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux

Rateau 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Les Coucherias

Rateau 2017 Beaune Clos des Mariages Blanc

Located toward the bottom of the slope beneath Beaune Grèves and adjacent to Les Cents Vignes, Clos des Mariages is a mix of young and very old vines planted in clay and limestone soils. The lovely 2017 Blanc shows high-toned aromas of lime-flower, melon, pear, wet stone and honeysuckle. The palate is light and silky with pear, apple and citrus flavors with chalky minerals and herbal notes in the refreshing finish. Serve with fish in sauce, scallop crudo, Asian foods and mild cheeses. David Lillie

Rateau 2017 Cote de Beaune La Grande Chatelaine

Rateau 2017 Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc (Chardonnay)

Jean-Claude Rateau makes lovely Biodynamic wines in the Hautes Côtes de Beaune in his east-facing vineyard of clay/limestone and marne soils.  Quite racy and bright even in 2017, the wine shows subtle aromas of lemon, almond, stone, spiced pear and apple. Intense, very mineral palate with pear, citrus and stone flavors and terrific length. The antithesis of fat, oaky Chardonnays, this food friendly wine will accompany everything from oysters and grilled seafoods to roast chicken and mild cheeses. Delicious now or cellar for 5 to 8 years. This is a real Chardonnay of terroir and a great value!  David Lillie

Rateau 2017 Hautes Cotes de Beaune Pinot Blanc

Roally (Gautier Thevenet) 2016 Roally Vire Clesse

Rollin 2015 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

Rollin 2015 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 1.5L

Rontets 2014 Pouilly-Fuissé Les Birbettes

From vines dating from the 1920s and 1940s. Organically farmed, and vinified in used oak barrels. The 2014 is a beautiful expression of Pouilly-Fuissé fusing the bright minerality of the old vines with the sunny richness of the appellation. The robe is a green gold hue. The nose is redolent of stone fruit and citrus peel. The palate is racy on the attack, with a pungent stony character giving way to a supple ripeness building on a long, lingering finish. This is lovely and a great candidate for cellaring in the mid-term, say 8-10 years, though one could certainly tuck into a bottle earlier. John McIlwain

Rontets 2015 Pouilly-Fuissé Pierrefolle

"The Pouilly-Fuissé cuvée Pierrefolle is made from the only vineyard situated outside the Clos at Rontets: this plot is set only 500 meters south and is warmer because of its plain East exposure and the sheltered position from the North wind. This climat has older geological origins, preceding the Jurassic era: it sits on a granitic bedrock and its soil has no clay or limestone. This is why at the beginning of the 1970s it was planted using the Riparia rootstock, which has low vigor and guarantees limited yields and very good quality grapes. All these characteristics produce wines with lower acid, compared to those produced within our Clos. Although larger and somehow more generous, Pierrefolle is always sustained by a precise mineral expression and citrus aromatic note." In the warm 2015 vintage, the Pierrefolle shows ripe aomas of white and exotic fruits with a bit of spice and earth. The palate, however, remains very mineral with firm saline acidity underlying the pear and citrus fruit. The finish is long with mineral flavors lingering on the palate. This is a beautiful Burgundy and a great food pairing - drinking well now, but five to ten years of aging will be very interesting. Highly recommended. David Lillie

Rontets 2016 Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Varambon

This beautiful Pouily-Fuissé is from old vines in the Clos on hard limestone with very thin silty clay topsoil. Certified organic farming, long slow fermentations with wild yeasts and aging in large oak barrels, none new.  The wine shows bright aromas of pear, lemon confit, herbs and stone. The palate shows creamy white fruits and citrus flavors with firm very chalky acidity and a hint of oak. The wine is beautifully balanced and refreshing, drinking wonderfully now,  but it will improve with 5 to 8 years of aging. This is a lovely White Burgundy, comparing favorable at the price with wines from the Cote d'Or.

Roulot 2015 Auxey Duresses Blanc

Roulot, Guy 2015 Meursault 1er Cru Clos des Bouchères Monopole

Saint Denis (Hubert Laferrere) 2015 Macon Lugny

Armand, Comtes 2014 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux

Bize 2015 Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Les Talmettes

Bize, Simon 2015 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er cru Aux Guettes

Boillot, Louis 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Angles

Boillot, Louis 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Brouillards

Bright tones and moments. Limpid and ruby robe. Red flowers (hibiscus!) wild strawberry, griottes, beetroot and wet stone on the nose. Supple, finessed: roses, silken with sneaky structure to go with a world of stoniness. This is deeply mineral and pure and has the core to age effortlessly. A vibrant and lithe Brouillards, decant now, better still in 5-10 years and beyond. John McIlwain

Chandon de Briailles 2005 Pernand Vergelesses Ile de Vergelesses

Chevrot 2016 Bourgogne Rouge

High-toned, floral and fresh with bright red fruit notes and zesty acidity. A wine of energy and lift rather than mass, this racy Bourgogne shows the buoyant nature of the difficult, but excellent 2016 vintage. Pablo Chevrot and his family make beautiful and fairly-priced Burgundy in every vintage, and are a great domaine for value.  Enjoy with roasted chicken, fricasséed mushrooms, tempura, or milder cheeses. John McIlwain

Chevrot 2016 Santenay 1er Cru Clos Rousseau

Chevrot 2017 Bourgogne Rose 'Sakura'

This Pinot Noir rosé is a blend of the saignée from villages and 1er cru fruit in Maranges, a straight pressing of Hautes Côtes de Beaune fruit, and pellicular maceration of fruit from Hautes Côtes de Beaune. Pale pink, effusive on the nose with aromas of cherry blossom (of course), wild strawberry, cherry, and chalk. Palate is ripe, racy and juicy. Ripe stone fruit and savory herbal notes lend interest. Lip-smacking finish. This is nearly incandescent with bright fruit and crackling energy. A fabulous rosé for an aperitif  or with dinner outdoors on a warm Summer evening. John McIlwain

Comte Armand 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux

In the decidedly difficult 2016 Comte Armand's Clos des Epeneaux is a lovely wine in the making, though with a more lifted and energetic character, rather than a stern one. The nose offers aromas of black and red cherries, with cool herbal aromas and hints of oak and spice. The midweight palate is supple, rather than sinewy with loads of black and red fruits, savory earth notes and a cool, yet pungent sense of minerality on a  deceptively long finish. John McIlwain

De Montille 2014 Bourgogne

Des Croix 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes

If Domaine des Croix's 2016 Beaune Premier Cru assemblage is bright and high-toned, the Bressandes is the earthier, richer counterpart. Again there’s that startling energy, though deeper-pitched and more soil-inflected than the Premier Cru. Dark floral notes, black fruits, and a touch of sauvage gaminess on the nose. Denser and darker fruit and spice on the richer, broader palate, with a pure core of ferrous minerality that carries over on the long, detailed, sapid finish. Here’s the specificity, the punch, the structure. There’s a sophisticated, albeit sterner character here, but this is deeply satisfying and beautiful. I suppose more Bud Powell than Bill Evans, but immensely pleasurable. Great job in an admittedly difficult vintage. Domaine des Croix is worth a serious look in 2016. Decant now, or better still cellar for 7-10 years and beyond. Fantastic depth and purity and a sublime pairing with duck with wild mushrooms in a red wine sauce. John McIlwain

Des Croix 2016 Corton Greves Grand Cru

Faiveley 2016 Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru

Ripe, perfumed, and dark-fruited on the nose with a mélange of floral and spice notes and a discreet touch of oak, the 2016 Clos des Cortons has a sensational sense of brightness and complexity. The palate offers a dramatic combination of pure fruit, supple tannins, and vigorous minerality on a layered, harmonious, classy finish. This is lovely and should age effortlessly. Beautiful Corton, indeed. John McIlwain

Follin-Arbelet 2005 Corton Grand Cru

Gaunoux, Michel 2013 Pommard 1e cru Grands Epenots

Germain, Henri 2016 Beaune Bressandes 1er

Germain, Henri 2016 Chassagne Montrachet Rouge

Germain, Henri 2016 Meursault Rouge Clos des Mouches Monopole

Jadot 2005 Beaune 1er Cru Boucherots

Lafouge 2016 Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru La Chapelle

La Chapelle is a "climat" in Auxey-Duresses within Les Breterins and Reugne, on the steep slope of la Montagne de Bourdon, facing south/southeast. The vines are well-placed in mid-slope and are mostly sixty years-old, giving the most "generous" of the three Lafouge premier crus. The soils here are partially "marnes blanches"which seems to contribute to the more supple and elegant style of wines from this site.  In this vintage of low yields and "classic" structure, the "La Chapelle"is a paticularly serious wine, showing a deep garnet/black color and aromas of tart morello cherry, plum and black raspberry with earth, violet and herbal notes, quite elegant. The palate shows a lovely texture of chalky fruit with dense black raspberry and wild strawberry, licorice and earth, finishing with sappy fruit and saline minerals. Please decant or open well in advance if drinking now, best perhaps 2023 - 2030+.  David Lillie

Lafouge 2016 Auxey-Duresses Rouge

Lafouge 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Les Chanlins

Lignier, Hubert 2015 Pommard En Brescul

Machard de Gramont 1976 Pommard 1er Cru Les Bertins (fill -6cm)

Maréchal, Catherine et Claude 2015 Ladoix Les Chaillots

Moreau, Bernard 2016 Volany 1er cru 1.5L

Morot, Albert 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes

Morot, Albert 2016 Beaune 1er Cru les Teurons

Morot, Albert 2016 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Bataillere aux Vergelesses

Medium dark ruby robe. Dark berry fruit and black cherry, loamy earth, and hint of wood smoke on the nose. Heady spice aromas follow. Earthy, stony flavors vie with black fruits, iron, blackberry seed, for attention. Punchy minerality and brambly fruit close out the long, lingering sapid finish. This has great counterpoint between savory and pure fruit notes and would pair beautifully with squab, braised duck legs, or veal with morels. I'd give this a couple years for the elements to knit. This is very Savigny in character. I like the tension and frank minerality here and can’t wait for this to grace the table with rustic autumnal fare. John McIlwain

Rateau 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Les Bressandes

Dark forest and hedge fruits on nose, earthy and brooding with game aromas. Taut and mineral, with a core of pungent soil notes of black tea, cherry pit, spice and stone on a dense mid-weight palate. Tightly wound, energetic, on the attack; savory and dark-fruited on the finish. This is a bit reserved at the  moment and benefits from a substantial decant or 4-7 years in the cellar. John McIlwain

Rateau 2016 Beaune Cuvée Ronde

When life gives you lemons (or the worst frost in decades) you make a cuvée from your lieux-dits most devastated by Mother Nature, which is exactly what Jean-Claude Rateau did with the 2016 vintage. Fortunately the resulting Cuvée  Ronde is delicious! Strawberry, pomegranate, crushed herbs and beetroot on the nose. On the racy, lithe palate flavors of wild strawberry, red currant, chalk, and raspberry seed, vie for attention with savory notes of thyme, freshly turned soil, and black tea on a lifted, fresh, cool-toned succulent finish. Not a bruiser, but there’s loads of charm, sap, and detail here. Old-fashioned in the best sense and a vibrant expression of 2016. Try this with grilled salmon or roasted chicken. John McIlwain

Rateau 2017 Beaune Les Beaux et Bons

Jean-Claude says this wine, sourced from lieux-dits Beaux and Bons on the Pommard side of Beaune, always shows aromas of "cerises noires" (black cherries). There is indeed a beautiful nose of bright red cherry with some eucalyptus and floral notes as well. Fresh acidity and very pretty fruit. Truly an elegant and lean expression, without ripe extracted fruit or any oak notes. Fine tannin and a long finish. 

Rateau 2017 Beaune Les Prevoles

Rateau 2017 Hautes Cotes de Beaune Rouge

Jean-Claude Rateau makes this lovely, light-bodied Burgundy from a small parcel of 50 year-old vines in AOC Hautes Côtes de Beaune, certified biodynamic, "lyre ouverte" pruning.  The 2017 shows a bright red/garnet color, with very pretty aromas of tart cherry and raspberry with hints of rose, spice and violet. The palate is light but sapid, and beautifully flavored with bright cherry, red currant and raspberry fruit supported by fresh acidity. There is excellent length of berry fruits, mineral flavors and citrusy acids in the finish. This is an elegant Pinot Noir to serve cool with chicken and game birds, fish in sauce, grilled pork and mild cheeses - just delicious!  David Lillie

Rossignol, Nicholas 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds

Voillot, Joseph 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets

Voillot, Joseph 2016 Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes

From 50-year-old vines in four parcels below the village of Volnay. Cherry pit, iron, and spice box with notes of black tea on the nose, freshly turned soil and violets emerge with air. There is a deft interplay between the bright hedge fruit and stony earth notes on the detailed, mid-weight  palate. This is a fine Bourgogne, with enough savory elements in relation to the charm of the fruit to warrant a few years in the cellar.  John McIlwain

Voillot, Joseph 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Les Pézerolles

Arlaud 2016 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 2016 (from Barrel) 35+ year-old vines 20% new oak. Touch of reduction initially, then deeply aromatic, freshly turned earth, roses, violets, stone fruits, animale, notes of forest floor. Tightly wound and knit; there's almost too much going on and all of it's interesting. Dense, verging on sinewy on the palate, taut, structured, muscular. Deep fruit core of black and blue fruits, great ripeness and sap. Vibrant energy coiled within. This is tightly wound and will take time. Perfect ripeness and very Bonnes Mares. Fine breed and energy. Masculine and majestic. Hold 12-15+ years. Great potential. John McIlwain

Arlaud 2016 Bourgogne Rouge Roncevie

Arlaud 2016 Morey St Denis 1er Cru Les Ruchots

60+year-old vines planted in a walled clos on Chambolle side of Morey beneath Bonnes Mares and Clos de Tart.  15% new oak. More structured, deeper-pitched, and masculine than Les Millandes. Pure plummy black cherry fruit with sauvage/animale elements and a  frank, ferrous minerality within. Great density and agility. You can taste the proximity to Sentiers and Bonnes Mares. This is dynamite! Nearly painfully long, stony, palate-staining finish. This isn't a wine to enjoy in its callow youth, but will reward with 12-15+ years in the cellar. Patience is a virtue here. John McIlwain

Audoin, Charles 2014 Marsannay Les Longeroies

I’ll always have a soft spot for Domaine Charles Audoin. And frankly I love Marsannay, though it’s no one’s favorite wine, it’s useful at the table. And while the availability of cool, albeit expensive Burgundy is a blessing/curse, it’s a pleasure to have this on the shelf. Medium ruby robe. Wild strawberry, wild cherry, hibiscus on the nose (red and ripely sweet) with a fine streak of earthiness keeping things honest. The palate (with a bit of time open) displays brambly red fruit flavors, wild cherry, raspberry seed, and hints of black tea on a racy, bright mid-palate, girded by a finely savory, mineral core, giving way to a lifted, punchy succulent finish. And while this is firmly Marsannay, there’s a fine level of sophistication and energy that makes it a fine choice for rustic foods (porc à la Dijonnaise and a cheese plate) as well as lending itself to a variety of charcuterie and cheeses This has the 2014 poise and balance that is criminally overshadowed by 2015s and is worthy of a look. Delicious! John McIlwain

Audoin, Charles 2017 Marsannay Rosé

Bachelet 2016 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Bachelet, Denis 2016 Bourgogne Rouge

Bachelet, Denis 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Bart 2016 Marsannay Au Champ Salomon

Bart 2016 Marsannay Clos du Roy

Bart 2016 Marsannay Rouge

Domaine Bart suffered huge losses from frost in 2016 and was forced to combine some of their single-vineyard cuvees into this Marsannay Rouge. The wine shows a deep red/garnet color and aromas of ripe strawberry and black cherry, with hints of violet, spice and licorice. The palate is dense and chalky with ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit, earthy and meaty, finishing with firm acidity and dense black fruits. Please decant or open the day before if drinking now - this full-bodied Burgundy will be perfect with steak/frites, grilled pork and lamb and full-flavored cow cheeses.  David Lillie

Boillot, Louis 2016 Gevrey Chambertin

From 8 lieux-dits across Gevrey-Chambertin. Considering the escalation in prices at all levels in Burgundy, Louis Boillot's Gevrey-Chambertin remains a fantastic value, brimming with Gevrey character, while remaining affordable. The 2016 is heady, fresh, and cool-toned on the nose offering black cherry, plum skin, raspberry, game and wood smoke aromas. Dark-fruited and savory flavors intermingle on the medium-bodied palate, with ripe notes of black cherry, hedge fruit, cherry pit, and crushed herbs. There is good mineral detail to this lending a sapid counterpoint to the fruit. Nice freshness here with fine structure lending an earthy, masculine Gevrey character. This punches above its weight and should shine with 5-7 years of cellaring and drink beautifully for the next decade. John McIlwain

Boillot, Louis 2016 Gevrey Chambertin Les Evocelles

Boillot, Louis 2016 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Champonnets

Boillot, Louis 2016 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes

Boillot, Louis 2016 Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Pruliers

Burguet, Alain 2014 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St Jacques

Burguet, Alain 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes

Burguet, Alain 2015 Vosne-Romanée

Cherry, red plum, red currant, baking spices, and hibiscus on the nose. Good cut and tart fruit underlain by savory earthiness. Fine density on the palate and good lift on finish. With food, riper berry and floral notes emerge--what perfume! Lovely nascent complexity and real verve without the monolithic character of many 2015s. This is a punchy, satisfying Vosne-Romanée and while, not cheap, this is stylish and combines lilting aromatics with pure fruit and a fine sense of minerality. Decant now or cellar for 5-7 years to allow the structural elements to integrate. A fine paring with pork, mushrooms and spaetzle, and would shine with squab or magret of duck. John McIlwain

Burguet, Alain 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux

Burguet, Alain 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes

Dark ruby robe. Tightly wound, black-fruited on the nose, with aromas of game, iron, violets, black cherry, and blackberry giving way to loamy soil notes and wood smoke. Great sense of sauvage wildness—unmistakably Gevrey. The palate isincisive on the attack with punchy minerality giving way to dark fruit flavors, notes of grilled meat, mustard seed, and a sapid earthiness on the long, deeply-pitched, concentrated finish. Great acidity and savory notes lend drive and lift to this pitch-perfect Gevrey. The wine is delicious with a burger, but holds plenty of complexity to accompany game birds, daube, or braised rabbit. Decant now to enjoy the nascent complexity, better still, cellar for 7-10 years and beyond. Burguet does sensational Gevrey at the village level, that rises to 1er Cru quality and offers great value to those who love the wild and earthy face of the appellation. John McIlwain

Cathiard, Sylvain 2014 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Aux Thorey

Chauvenet 2014 Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains

From a .41 hectare parcel planted in 1940 and 1984. Les Vaucrains is situated upslope of the premier crus Les St. Georges and Les Cailles in the middle portion of Nuits St. Georges. The soils are a blend of brown clay, limestone, sand, and rock producing vigorous, powerful, and elegant wines of great ageablity. Vigneron Christoph Drag says of the climat, “the fat clays make it hard to work the earth.” Domaine Chauvenet’s 2014 Vaucrains has a darker robe than Les Perrières. The nose is effusive, offering a kaleidoscopic mélange of black fruit aromas, cassis, brown spices, game and iron; over time notes of crushed blackberry, grilled meat, and wet stone emerge. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied and supple, offering flavors of ripe blackberry, Italian plum, iodine, game, and wood smoke on a long, layered, and mouth-watering finish. There is plenty of power and intensity here, without a sense of weight; deft acidity offers a sense of lift and freshness. This is a beautiful and complex Vaucrains and exciting wine in the making, with a sensational interplay of pure, ripe fruit and savory minerality. While one could enjoy this now, it has the structure and balance to age harmoniously for years. John McIlwain

Coudray-Bizot 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cazetiers

Locate above the village of Gevrey-Chambertin on a steep slope to the east of Clos St. Jacques, Les Cazetiers has an east-facing exposure and has soils strewn with pebbly soils. The 2010 has a pale ruby robe. Sour cherry, black tea, strawberry compote, rhubarb on the nose, giving way to aromas of wet bark, and game notes. Moves from shy to expressive--if not quite garrulous--with air. The oak is so subtle as to be just a whisper. The medium-bodied  wine offers ripe flavors of Morello cherry, cherry pit, limestone, and even a pleasing note of rhubarb and pomegranate on the attack,  followed by an expressively detailed mid-palate that balances sweet, savory, floral, and spice elements with aplomb. No bombast or flash, this is seamless and without affectation. Were it an actor, Helen Mirren? Lillian Gish? Lovely, precise, and subtly powerful, with great persistence and succulence on the long, vibrant finish with plenty of energy still coiled within. Certainly a pleasure to drink today, but I suspect this will gain complexity and gravitas with time in the cellar. John McIlwain

Digioia-Royer 2016 Chambolle-Musigny

Drouhin 2001 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

Faiveley 2016 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

The 2016 Faiveley Clos de Bèze already offers a dazzling array of dark and red fruits, wild berries, pure cherry, and turned earth on the nose. The concentrated palate offers spicy cherry and plum flavors with notes of game, mustard seed, and black tea over a layered and dense mineral core of impressive length and complexity giving way to a long, detailed, stony finish. This will take the better part of a decade to integrate all of its elements, but should provide rewarding drinking for the patient. Excellent Clos de Bèze. John McIlwain

Fourrier 2011 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Fourrier 2012 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Fourrier 2013 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Fourrier 2014 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Fourrier 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Fourrier 2015 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Combes aux Moines

Grivot 2016 Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Les Beaux Monts

Grivot, Jean 2016 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

Grivot, Jean 2016 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Grivot, Jean 2016 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots

Gros, Jean 1977 Richebourg Grand Cru - levels 3.5cm

Jane et Sylvain 2015 Côte de Nuits Villages Queue de Hareng

The vines are in the lieu-dit "Queue de Hareng" below an old quarry at the top of the slope in Brochon, next to Fixin 1er Cru "la Perrière," on shallow red/brown soils of mountain silt and limestone pebbles over the limestone bedrock. Organic farming, wild-yeast fermentations with minimal SO2. The 2015 Jane et Sylvain Côte de Nuits-Villages is a superb and unusual Burgundy showing intense aromas of ripe strawberry and cherry with rose leaf, brown spice and herbal notes as well as dusty stone and mineral smells which are typical of this vineyard. With aeration the aromas become more pure and fruit-driven and the palate shows lovely black cherry, strawberry and red currant fruit, quite dense and ripe, with a finish that's extraordinarily long and pure. Decant 4 to 6 hours in advance if drinking now, or cellar for 3 to 5 years and drink till 2027. Highly recommended for those who enjoy some minerals in their Burgundy!

Jane et Sylvain 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Fonteny

Jane et Sylvain have a superb, tiny parcel of Gevrey 1er Cru "Fonteny," high up in the southwest corner, separated from Grand Cru Ruchottes by a dirt track, certified organic. Beautifully balanced for a 2015 and built to age, the wine shows subtle, complex black fruits with hints of spice, citrus and earth. The palate is supple and well-structured with red and black fruits backed by firm acidity and mineral flavors that continue in the long finish. Certainly enjoyable now  with a long decant, best held for five to eight years then enjoy until 2035. Lovely wine.   David Lillie

Lienhardt, Antoine 2015 Côte de Nuits Villages Les Plantes Aux Bois

Lienhardt, Antoine 2016 Côte de Nuits Villages Les Essards

Lignier, Hubert 2015 Nuits St Georges Les Poisets

Lignier-Michelot 2015 Morey St. Denis Grand Cru Clos de la Roche

Like the rest of the 2015 Lignier-Michelot lineup, the Clos de la Roche combines beautiful soaring aromatics with beautiful pure fruit, and a savory sense of earthiness. The nose is explosively perfumed with beguiling aromas of ripe black cherry, red plum,  violets, exotic spices, and roasted game. Supple palate shows impressive concentration, with dark fruit flavors, and layers of minerality on a long, driving finish. This has a all the elements to age effortlessly and should reward 10-15 years in the cellar and beyond. John McIlwain

Lignier-Michelot 2016 Chambolle Musigny Vieilles Vignes

From 65 year-old vines. High-toned and floral with effusive aromas of rose petals, and black and red raspberry with hints of spice and earth. The palate shows good concentration and lift with succulent berry flavors, and a sapid earthiness on a driving, nervy, linear finish. Seems a bit coiled and in need of a fairly long decant or a couple of years in the cellar to unwind, but there's great lift and persistence to the finish and I suspect this will blossom with time. John McIlwain

Lignier-Michelot 2016 Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Faconnières

Les Faconnières, planted in 1948, is located beneath Clos St. Denis. 50% whole cluster. This is always the most stylish of Virgile Lignier's premier crus with a good deal of the class of the grand crus. The 2016 is effusively perfumed with aromas of black and red hedge fruits, red plum, cassis, spicebox, and freshly turned soil. The mid-weight, concentrated palate is distinctly stony, with a ferrous minerality under-girding perfectly ripe, supple fruit and proceeding to an impeccably balanced and persistent finish. This is a satisfying, serious, albeit lovely Faconnières, which should reward cellaring for 8-10 years and drinking well beyond. John McIlwain

Lignier-Michelot 2016 Morey St. Denis Grand Cru Clos de la Roche

Like the rest of the lineup, the 2016 Clos de la Roche from Lignier-Michelot is a wine of nearly startling intensity and purity. The nose is redolent of spicy red fruits, violets and roses, and earthy game aromas with layer after layer of soil notes. The perfectly ripe palate is a mélange of sweet, ripe, pure fruit dancing above a deeply-pitched mineral core of fantastically articulate detail. I love the balance of shimmering energy and mineral intensity here that carries through on the long, sophisticated, rising finish. This has great class and will benefit from 10-12 years in the cellar and beyond. A truly beautiful Clos de la Roche! John McIlwain

Magnien, Stephane 2014 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Cuvée "Aux Petites Noix"

From mixed limestone and clay soils in premier crus Clos Baulet and Les Gruenchers, which bracket Clos Sorbe beneath the village of Morey-Saint-Denis. The 2014 Petites Noix offers high-toned aromas of Morello cherry, violets, wild raspberry with cool herbal notes and spice. The mid-weight and silky palate is racy, ripe and pretty with juicy red fruits earth tones, and a fine spine of chalky minerality. Vibrant and lifted with a captivating interplay between the salty stoniness and perfumed, succulent berry fruit. Long on the finish and precise. Charming now, but with the balance to age effortlessly. This is a beautiful release of "Les Petites Noix!" John McIlwain

Magnien, Stephane 2015 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Cuvée "Aux Petites Noix"

From two premier crus, Les Gruenchers and Clos Baulet, mid slope in Morey Saint-Denis, giving a slightly fuller wine than Faconnieres. As with all of Stephane's parcels, there is a high percentage of old vines of "pinot tordu." The wine is more structured due to the deeper clay soils and gets less pigeage. The 2015, tasted in January 2017, was less aromatic than the Faconnières with very deep ripe red and black fruits, showing more weight and a bit more fruit-forward  than the more "classic" 2016s, with herbal and mineral flavors and terrific length. This will need time in the cellar but is an excellent example of the more heavily fruited 2015s, and it should be a superb mature wine. David Lillie

Magnien, Stephane 2016 Coteaux Bourguignons Tradition (Passetoutgrain)

From 35-55 year-old vines below the village in deep clay soils, 50% Pinot Noir/50% Gamay (with the new AOC Coteaux Bourguignons replacing Borgogne Passetoutgrain and Bourgogne Rouge). Hand harvested, fermented with wild yeasts and aged 16 months in tonneaux and stainless steel vats, bottled unfined and unfiltered, about 150 cases made.   Bright red color, high-toned aromas of cassis, red currant, tart cherry.  The palate shows vibrant cherry and red currant fruit, quite refreshing with a nice finish of juicy red fruits with firm acidity. Drink this lively Pinot/Gamay blend over the next five years. Great value! DL

Magnien, Stephane 2016 Morey-Saint-Denis "Grains Fins"

The Morey-Saint-Denis "Grains Fins" is another new cuvée from Stephane Magnien, and it's an absolutely delicious wine! It's made from young vines of Pinot Fin, in the vineyards of "Bas-Chenevery" and "Crais-Gillon" on gravelly soils. There is a 12-month elevage in mostly old barrels, followed by 4 months in cuve inox - only 200 cases were made. The wine shows beautiful aromas of ripe black raspberry, red currant, cherry and blood orange with hints of violets, earth and cocoa. There is lovely ripeness on the palate, which is light and balanced, with deep, dense cherry and raspberry fruit. The finish is very long and balanced with lingering red fruits and minerally acids. This is simply delicious now, but please decant or open in advance, probably best 2020 - 2028. Beautiful wine!  David Lillie

Magnien, Stephane 2016 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Monts Luisants

(Situated to the west of Grand Cru "Clos de la Roche," this steep and stony parcel has very thin topsoil over the limestone, with vines from 15 to 75 years-old.)  Smoldering and smoky—Lauren Bacall in Key Largo? Violets, plum skin, freshly-turned soil lends plenty of gravitas on the nose. Perfumed; beyond floral—a hothouse full of orchids. Earthy and ripe and perfectly fruited. Loamy soil notes and perfect pitch. Motown and Farmer’s Almanac—a wine so pretty it begs for sentiment, yet so frankly earthy, it has you consult a geology textbook. This is beautiful Monts-Luisants and will make some old bones and offer charm and character for years. Lovely. John McIlwain

Magnien, Stephane 2016 Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes

2016 is a superb vintage for Stéphane Magnien and in particular for this  first vintage of his new Morey-Saint-Denis "Vieilles Vignes," from  45 to 65 year-old vines in "Clos Slon" and "Cognes" on clay/limestone soils.  The wine shows deep, elegant blackberry and black cherry aromas, quite floral with mineral and meaty notes. The palate is ripe and dense with blackberry/cherry fruit with hints of earth, citrus and spice, pure, long and well-structured with firm tannins and chalky acidity. Excellent length of black fruits with stone and mineral flavors.  Decant to drink now with a nice steak, best to hold three to five years, drink till 2030+ as this will be a superb mature Burgundy.  David Lillie

Meo-Camuzet 2016 Vosne Romanée 1er cru Chaumes

Mortet, Denis 2016 Bourgogne Rouge Cuvée de Noble Souche

Mortet, Denis 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru

Mortet, Denis 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Mes Cinq Terroirs

Rateau 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin

From two small parcels in "Aux Eletois" (below Grand Cru Griottes)  and "les Epointures" (below 1er Cru Clos Prieur) on the more fine and aromatic side of Gevrey. The midweight palate is lithe, racy, and offers up vibrant flavors of dark fruits, crushed herbs, game, and salty soil notes. Great lifted acidity and core of minerality overlain by an assortment of wild berry fruits. This is another great example of the combination of perfume, pure fruit, and detailed earthiness that is a hallmark of the 2016 vintage. Great tension and verve and a bargain at the price. Wonderful with veau aux champignons. John McIlwain

Rousseau 2013 Clos de la Roche Grand cru

Tardy, Jean 2016 Nuits St Georges Au Bas du Combe Vieilles Vigne

Tardy, Jean et Fils 2016 Echezeaux Grand Cru Les Treux Vieilles Vignes

Tardy, Jean et Fils 2016 Fixin La Place

Tardy, Jean et Fils 2016 Vosne Romanée Vigneaux

Trapet 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Ostrea

Trapet 2016 Chambertin Grand Cru

Trapet 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin

Trapet 2016 Marsannay Rouge

Tight upon opening. Black tea, vine smoke, dark berry fruit, and wet iron aromas  on the nose. With air, earthy notes, cherry pit and Italian plum skin aromas appear. The palate is similarly circumspect out of the gate, but with time in the decanter offers a melange of flavors of black fruit, Earl Grey tea, mustard seed, cherry pit and a pungent, ferrous, mineral core, with hints of anise. There’s a lot coiled within, with the balance currently veering toward earthy rather than fruiy, but this has nice tension and over the course of the evening gains in weight and overt fruit. Trapet makes beautiful, age-worthy Burgundies and the 2016 shows best with a long decant now, and will shine brightly with 3-5 years in the cellar and beyond. A fine pairing with roasted sausages with grapes and better still with cheeses afterward. John McIlwain

Bart 2016 Bourgogne Pinot Noir

Champs de l'Abbaye 2016 Mercurey Les Marcoeurs

Certified organic, from a limestone terroir rich in seashells, with iron-rich soil, just below the 1er Cru Clos des Miglands. Very low yields, 80% de-stemmed, wild-yeast fermentation, one-year aging in 40% new fine-grained barrels, bottled by gravity, no fining or filtration. The 2016 Marcoeurs shows subtle aromas of black cherry with plum skin, earth, graphite and hints of violet and citrus. The palate is very mineral and saline with flavors of earth and tart black cherry that are intense and long, finishing with firm acidity. This shows the intensity of the 2016 Burgundies and is delicious now with a long decant, or cellar for five years and enjoy until 2030.  David Lillie

Champs de l'Abbaye 2016 Monthélie Les Sous Roches

From the biodynamically farmed high altitude Les Sous Roches lieu-dit on the northwest slope in Monthélie composed of thin stony clay soils over limestone. 2016 is a great vintage for the Monthélie "Les Sous Roches" from Alain and Isabelle Hasard showing the classic structure and density of this excellent vintage. The wine shows vibrant aromas of fraises des bois and cherry liqueur with earth, mint and citrus. The palate is dense and sapid with bright blackberry and black cherry fruit, spice, earth and firm acidity. Impressive length with sappy black fruits, mineral flavors and refreshing acidity. Delicious now if a bit intense?perhaps open the night before and re-cork?best to cellar 5 years and drink until 2030+. Serve with mushroom pappardelle, roast veal, grilled meats.  David Lillie

Champs de l'Abbaye 2017 Bourgogne Pinot Noir

From 10 to 50 year-old vines grown on limestone soils (Middle Jurassic!) in the commune of Aluze, Côtes Chalonnaise, certified organic since 1999. This is a lovely Pinot Noir, a bit rounder and riper than previous vintages - the 2017 shows aromas of ripe black cherry, earth, roast meat and violets. The palate is bright but lush with ripe raspberry and cherry fruit, earth and mineral flavors with ripe, sappy fruit in the finish. It's a great value in Red Burgundy - serve cool with chicken and pork dishes, mild cow cheeses. Decant if possible or hold two to five years. David Lillie

Chateau de Beru 2015 Irancy Cherelle Athénaïs

Dangin, Bruno NV Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs

de Villaine, A et P 2016 Bourgogne La Digoine

From south-facing slopes in Bouzeron, a village more famous for its excellent Aligoté. The 2016 is luminously fruited with an array for red berry and hedge fruit aromas with notes of cool herbs and chalk following. The palate is similarly pure and fresh and lifted, with succulent, ripe red fruit flavors with a fine core of chalky minerality. This has plenty of energy and expressiveness to the finish. And while delicious now, this should evolve beautifully. John McIlwain

de Villaine, A et P 2016 Bourgogne Rouge Les Clous

Domaine d'Edouard 2016 Côtes d'Auxerre Pinot Noir

Domaine Parent 2016 Pommard 1er cru Les Epenots

40% whole cluster, from parcels in Grands and Petits Epenots. The 2016 Les Epenots from organic Domaine Parent has a dark ruby robe. The nose is a touch reticent on opening; with air, lovely black fruit and soil aromas emerge with plum, iron, and crushed herbs giving way to game notes. The palate is densely concentrated with flavors of black cherry, plum skin, black tea, and spice over a vibrant and deeply-pitched mineral core, framed by ripe tannins and leading to an admirably long, detailed finish. This has great purity and energy and should age effortlessly. A beautiful Epenots! John McIlwain

Guillot Broux 2017 Bourgogne Marisa

Marie and Isabel are two young aspiring winemakers from France and the US respectively. They've been working together at Domaine Guillot Broux and this year had the opportunity to make their own special cuvee! 85% Gamay and 15% Pinot Noir, with nice pleasing acidity and fine ripe berry fruit. No oak, just pure varietal and terroir expression! Eben Lillie

Guillot, Julien (Vignes du Maynes) 2016 Mâcon Rouge

Julien Guillot of the Clos des Vignes du Maynes has made a superb Macon Rouge in 2016, from organic grapes, and vinified without SO2. The wine shows a quite dense black/red color with aromas of ripe blackberry, candied cherry, violet, citrus and white pepper. The palate is dense but balanced and sapid with blackberry and cherry fruit lifted by firm acidity. The finish is very long with saline minerals and berry fruits and refreshing acidity. This is a somewhat intense but beautiful and complex Gamay that will be superb with grilled foods this summer and should develop nicely over the next few years.  David Lillie

Jacqueson, Paul et Marie 2016 Mercurey 1er cru Les Champs Martin

Another brilliant 2016, where florality, energy, and mineral detail dominate. The nose offers an array of pretty wildflower, red fruit, and spice aromas. The racy mid-weight palate displays the purity and lift of the vintage with a melange of ripe strawberry and sour cherry flavors giving way to chalky minerality and just a hint of sauvage on an articulate stony, mouthwatering finish. This is a firecracker of a Mercurey and a joy to drink. John McIlwain

Jacqueson, Paul et Marie 2016 Rully 1er Cru Preaux

Another vibrant 2016 from Jacqueson. Plummy and black cherry fruit on the nose giving way to aromas of violets and black tea with just a kiss of sandalwood. The palate offers sweet flavors of black cherry, strawberry and a fine nose of spice wrapped around a salty mineral core. Not quite as high-toned as the Mercurey, but with frank, appealing  mineral character. Lovely now, but should gain complexity with 3-5 years in the cellar. John McIlwain

Tripoz 2016 Bourgogne Rouge Chant de la Tour 1.5L

Vignes du Maynes (Julien Guillot) 2016 Mâcon-Cruzille Rouge Cuvée 910 1.5 L

Vignes du Maynes 2015 Mâcon-Cruzille Manganite 1.5 L

Have a sensational "natural" Thanksgiving with this gorgeous zero-sulfur Gamay from the Clos des Vignes du Maynes!  Made from Gamay Petit Grains planted in 1953, grown on a limestone parcel high in magnesium, in the Clos des Vignes du Maynes in Cruzille, organic since 900 AD, now certified biodynamic. The energetic Julien Guillot vinifies his reds without sulfur or additives of any kind, producing complex, mineral, elegant wines that transcend their appellation.  The 2015s here are extraordinary, showing the elegance, purity and balance typical of the estate with the wonderful ripeness of the vintage. The wine shows gorgeous red and black fruit aromas with cranberry, earth, stone and musk and hints of mint, chocolate and spice. The palate is bright and intense with balckberry, citrus, stone and earthy flavors, that continue on the very long mineral finish. Always one of the greatest Gamays produced anywhere, the 2015 Manganite is a young wine that will benefit from decanting or five to fifteen years in the cellar. Highly recommended! DL

Vignes du Maynes 2016 Bourgogne Cuvée Auguste 1.5 L