Chandon de Briailles 2018 Corton Clos du Roi

From .38 hectares of biodynamically farmed vines averaging over 40 years old, high on the hillside of Corton. Traditionally the most powerful and long-lasting of the stable of red Corton lieux-dits at Chandon de Briailles and always found on any Burgundy lover's shortlist of truly great and classic Cortons. 

Chandon de Briailles 2018 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Ile de Vergelesses

Chandon de Briailles' bottling of Ile de Vergelesses comes in both red and white and each one is a benchmark expression of the appellation. Pernand is lodged in a combe (a valley) between the hills of Corton and Savigny and stays a couple degrees cooler thanks to a wind that comes down from the north through the gap. The wines are as a result always fresh feeling even in warmer vintages and this 2018 is no exception. The pretty red and black fruit is a touch reticent at first but emerges with air, along with beautiful spice and dried floral aromatics from the stems. There is great acidity and an overall feeling of energy, which belies the sturdy tannins. This is young today and will benefit from decanting if drinking tonight but the potential here is considerable and this will be excellent in 3-5 years and beyond. Sam Ehrlich

Chandon de Briailles 2018 Savigny-les-Beaune Aux Fournaux

Chandon de Briailles is one of the truly grand domaines of Burgundy, dating back to 1834. Their holdings include vines in most of the best sites in Savigny and Pernand, as well as considerable parcels of Corton Grand Cru and Charlemagne and there seems to be near-consensus that the wines that the estate has produced over the last ten years are the most consistently brilliant that the de Nicolay family has produced. "Aux Fournaux" is named for the 1er Cru that makes up the lion's share of this bottling. This may be labeled villages-level wine but what's inside is considerably more elevated. 

Domaine des Croix 2018 Beaune

Was $62.99    

Sourced from several parcels spread across the village's diverse soils and climates, this is a serious village wine. It's marked by raspberry and darker berries like black cherry as well as baking spices and a touch of hoisin in the mid-palate. There is good weight here and enough acidity to suggest that this will age well for at least five to eight years. Another very good value. 

Domaine des Croix 2018 Beaune 1er Cru Les Tuvilains

Was $104.99

Tuvilains is a recent addition to the lineup at the estate. It sits much further south and just below Pertuisots on the slope. The dense clay in the soil is rich in iron oxide and makes sturdy structured wines. This is the yardstick for extraction levels these days at the domaine. The 2018 is certainly squared-shouldered in its mouthfeel but once again it shows plenty of pure and bright red fruit and the finish shows a lovely mineral coolness. This may take a couple of years to really come together but will be delicious with a little time in a decanter and should age very well. Sam Ehrlich

Domaine des Croix 2018 Corton Grand Cru Greves

Was $214.99

This parcel on the Grand Cru hill of Corton was acquired in 2009 as part of a multi-domaine sale (the Chambertin went to Rousseau). Greves sits just over halfway up the east face of Corton, adjacent to Louis Latour's Chateau Grancey  and just below the legendary Clos du Roi. This is real Corton, always with terrific power and mineral intensity.

Germain, Henri 2018 Beaune 1er cru Bressandes

Was $94.99

Lamy, Hubert 2016 Santenay Clos des Hates

Lequin-Colin 2018 Bourgogne Rouge

Honest Burgundy at this price is an increasingly rare bird these days. From two vineyards in Santenay with EcoCert certification, the 2018 is full and round upon opening, with juicy raspberry and black cherry fruit, baking spices and a touch of cola. But with air, it gains tension and elegance and the Burgundy minerality becomes more apparent. This is very satisfying and will likely improve, but why wait? Bottled under screwcap. Sam Ehrlich

Ludovic Bonnardot 2018 Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge

Ludovic Bonnardot runs his family domaine a few miles east of Beaune. His mother worked with natural wine forefather Jules Chauvet in Beaujolais. Today he farms his family vineyards organically (with certification) and makes wine with very little to no sulfur. The results are generally excellent. This '18 Hautes Cotes is a case in point. Fermented with 50% whole clusters and no apparent oak influence, this is marked by lovely red cherry and strawberry fruit, clove and star anise. The texture is pretty and quite delicate, with a coolness to the finish that belies the warm vintage. Recommended. Sam Ehrlich

Morey-Blanc 2017 Aloxe Corton 1er Cru Clos du Chapitre

Was $114.99

Anne Morey is best known for her brilliant and piercing white wines but her reds are no less lovely. "Clos du Chapitre" is from a parcel on the southeast edge of the village of Aloxe, separated from the first of the Corton Grand Crus by a distance  roughly the same as a city block.

Mugneret, Gerard 2014 Bourgogne Rouge

Rougeot, Pierre Henri 2018 Bourgogne Côte D’Or "Les Vaux"

Chevillon, Robert 2017 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Pruliers

Was $179.99    

Esmonin, Sylvie 2017 Bourgogne Cuvée Sylvie

Fourrier 2013 Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru

Was $699.99

La Combe Grisard (Dujac & Presq-ile) 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Champ Franc

Pataille, Sylvain 2014 Marsannay Longeroies

Sylvain Pataille is doubtless the best known producer in Marsannay these days, and with good reason. A consulting oenologist before he started making his own wines, he has a reputation as a brilliant taster and analyst of wines and is equally deft when it comes to vineyard innovation. His success is all the more remarkable considering that he owns no vines of his own but rather leases all his land. "Longeroies" is considered one of the finest sites in the village, frequently cited as a candidate for elevation to Premier Cru status in a reclassification that may never happen. It's a treat to be able to offer this with some age and from a classic vintage such as 2014. This needs a minute to stretch its legs but blossoms with air, with baked red cherries and rhubarb, a touch of sweet soy and clove. The tannins are very fine and nearly resolved but the acidity and mineral spine lend plenty of structure. This still has years ahead of it but what a treat.   Sam Ehrlich

Rougeot, Pierre Henri 2017 Gevrey Chambertin En Renard

Van Canneyt 2013 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru

Was $199.99

Vincent Ledy 2018 Hautes Côtes de Nuits Rouge La Vacherotte

Champs de l'Abbaye 2019 Cote Chalonnaise Gardes Remi

The 2019 "Les Gardes Rémi" is a new wine for Les Champs de l'Abbaye, coming from a parcel of 75 year-old vines in the Côte Chalonnaise, harvested late at optimum ripeness. (Not yet certified organic) This is "for lovers of mature, opulent Pinot Noir" says winemaker Alain Hasard.  The wine was aged in a percentage of new oak to frame the lush fruit.

Champs de l'Abbaye 2019 Cote Chalonnaise Les Claveaux

The 2019 Côtes Chalonnaise "les Claveaux" is a lovely new cuvée from Alain and Isabelle Hasard at Les Champs de l'Abbaye. Made from young vines of Pinot Fin, from three diffeent massale selections, with 10% Chardonnay. The wine is delicate and delicious and should be served a bit cool. The aromas are vivid and very pretty - tart black cherry, black raspberry, citrus, coffee and violet. The palate is light and refreshing, but quite ripe, velvety and sapid in 2019, with cherry and berry fruits and hints of citrus, spice and earth. Serve with chicken and white meats and save some for grilled foods next summer. Just delicious and only 5 cs for the US...  David Lillie

Domaine d'Edouard 2018 Côtes d'Auxerre Pinot Noir

Guillot, Julien (Vignes du Maynes) 2017 Mâcon Rouge Selection Massale

Julien Guillot at the Clos des Vignes du Maynes makes this Mâcon Rouge from 20 different old Gamays, including Gamay "teinturiers" with thick skins and dark juice, with no added SO2. The 2017 shows a deep red color with aromas of blackberry, tart cherry, srawberry, black pepper, roast meat, fennel, citrus peel, violet... The palate is lean and elegant with citrusy black fruits, earth and mineral flavors, chalky and long. "This wine is indestructible" says Julien, and it's obviously built to last. Serve with a farm chicken in sauce, and decant or open in advance, but best to cellar for five or ten years.  David Lillie

Jacqueson, Paul et Marie 2019 Mercurey 1er cru Les Champs Martin

Paul and Marie Jacqueson are third generation winemakers in the Côtes Chalonnaise carrying on their grandfather's tradition of crafting high-quality wines from Rully and Mercurey. Today the domaine consists of 13 hectares farmed using organic treatments, all hand-harvested. All of their reds are 100% destemmed and aged in 25% new oak for one year. 

Tripoz 2018 Bourgogne Rouge Chant de la Tour

The 2018 "Chant de la Tour" comes from a single parcel  that has never been treated with chemicals of any kind, which comes as little surprise based on what's in the bottle. This is my platonic ideal of Bourgogne Rouge. The pure red cherry and strawberry fruit is vivid and lush without being cloying. The expression of limestone is clear and speaks beautifully of the region, with a dustiness in the finish that reminds me of clapping blackboard erasers. Completely delicious.