Bize, Simon 2016 Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Marconnets

Bize, Simon 2017 Savigny les Beaunes Aux Fourneaux 1er Cru

Buisson, Henri & Gilles 2016 St. Romain Rouge Sous la Roche

Chandon de Briailles 2017 Corton Grand Cru Les Bressandes

From 1.12 hectares spread across four parcels situated mid-slope above Les Maréchaudes with vines averaging 35 years. Deep limestone clay soils give classic Corton density and structure to the wines from the climat. The 2017 has a dark ruby robe and fine aromas of violets, wild strawberry, and raspberry with bosky notes of underbrush and freshly-turned earth and a bit of the classic Corton spice. The dense but expressive palate offers a mélange of ripe forest fruits, sour cherry, wild blackberry, blood orange peel, mustard seed and forest floor on a deeply mineral and coiled mid-palate with pungent soil notes driving a long, tangy, vibrant finish with a bit of the peacock's tail. Though young, this is displaying nascent complexity and bodes well for long aging.  When the elements knit, this should be sensational and drink beautifully for the better part of two decades. John McIlwain *Pre-arrival, wine arrives 5/28*

Chandon de Briailles 2017 Corton Grand Cru Les Maréchaudes

From a .4 hectare plot, located beneath Corton Bressandes. Ferruginous clay over limestone. Les Maréchaudes was planted between 1974 and 1979 and plowed by horse. Typically the most precocious of the red Corton grand crus at Chandon de Brialles, Les Maréchaudes can be enjoyed after just a few years in bottle, though it will improve over 12-15 years and beyond. The 2017 has a lovely nose offering aromas of crushed strawberry, red plum, black currant, and game. The palate shows a sweet ripeness and expressiveness with pretty flavors of stone fruit, wild raspberry, mustard seed, underlain with a tactile sense of earthiness and Corton spice. The supple fine-grained tannins lend a sense of gravitas and well-integrated acidity offers lift and brightness to the long, lingering finish. A buoyant and vibrant Maréchaudes! John McIlwain *Pre-arrival, wines arrive 5/28*

Chantal Lescure 2006 Pommard 1er Cru Vaumauriens

Chantal Lescure 2017 Pommard 1er Cru Les Bertins

From organically farmed vines in Les Bertins in the southern part of Pommard, close to Volnay. Les Bertins has a greater amount of limestone than other Pommard premier crus, and the wines are sometimes a bit lighter and more "Volnay-like" in character. This shows the classic boldness of Pommard and the balanced ripeness of the 2017 vintage with aromas of wild rose, forest air, cherry liqueur and spice. The medium weight palate is dense with cooling minerality and mouth coating, silky tannins framed with sour red cherry and macerated raspberry, finishing with long, delicate notes of spice, rose hips, and black tea leaf. After about two hours open the nose has developed quite a bit: the fruit is lifted and elegant, but complemented by a savory, almost meaty, earthiness and delicate notes of spice. I think that this is a pleasure to drink now and to observe its evolution over a long evening, but it should truly shine in 7 years or more.  Ben Fletcher

Chantal Lescure 2017 Pommard Les Vignots

From south-facing vines situated on the right hill of Pommard, on the Beaune side, in a terroir of clay-marl. These 35 year-old vines grow in high elevation, about 330 meters above sea-level. The grapes are hand harvested and undergo a long fermentation in stainless steel tanks, punched-down and vatted for 18-25 days. The wine ages in a cold cellar on lees in barrels, 30% of which are new. The 2017 shows a deep red/garnet color and complex aromas of ripe strawberry, and black raspberry with earth and spice notes. The palate is round, earthy and nicely textured with deep black raspberry, plum and black cherry liqueur, ripe and round and balanced with earthy minerality. The finish is long and sappy, with firm acidity. This is soft enough to drink well young but will come together nicely with a few years in the cellar. Lovely wine!  David Lillie

Chantal Lescure 2017 Volnay (March 2nd)

The Chantal Lescure Volnay is from 50+ year-old vines on sandy clay soils over limestone. Fermentation is with wild yeasts in cuve inox followed by 18 months in barrel, approximately 30% new, bottled without fining or filtration.The wine shows a deep red/garnet color with black cherry, blackberry and red currant aromas, quite floral and elegant with complex hints of earth,  brown spice and tea. With aeration, the palate shows a velvety, chalky texture backed by firm acidity with complex black fruits, mint, bitter chocolate and earth that continue in the long, sappy finish. This is a lovely "village" Volnay that is delicious, if a bit intense in its youth - decant if drinking now, this will really sing in three to five years and until 2030+. David Lillie

Chantereves 2018 Volnay Les Lurets

Chevrot 2017 Bourgogne Rouge

Based in the village of Maranges with vineyards running along the Saône River, Domaine Chevrot has stood the test of time for nearly 100 years. Certified Organic farming with some biodynamic practices, and they have recently converted to literal horse-power for 5ha of vineyard, allowing their beautiful Clydesdale to help with plowing without compacting the soil as much as a tractor. This entry-level bottling is a perfect representation of the savory, earthy qualities you get from the Maranges terroir. The aromas are rustic, in a humble, comforting way. Upon opening the wine brings notes of freshly turned soil and charcuterie, followed by juicy pomegranate and black cherry mingled with moss and savory herbs. I absolutely love and encourage the suggestion from the Domaine to enjoy this wine with "rillettes, a blueberry tarte, a picnic basket, and a wide-brimmed hat." Michelle DeWyngaert

Chevrot 2017 Maranges 1er Cru Le Croix Moines Rouge

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

D'Angerville 2017 Volnay 1er Cru Fremiets

d'Angerville 1993 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs

d'Angerville 1996 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs

De Montille 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Pèzerolles 1.5L

From 1.35 hectares of organically-farmed vines. The 2015 vintage is 50% whole cluster fermentation aged in 30% new barrels. Pèzerolles is always one of the silkier and suppler expressions of Pommard, with a fine core of stoniness within. In 2015 De Montille has released a beautiful example. The nose is exuberantly perfumed with intriguing aromas of violets, tea roses, and crunchy red berry fruit. The palate is bright and suffused with ripe red and black fruit flavors, notes of black tea, and spices with a discreet framing of some new oak. The vibrant fruit seems to dance over a deeply mineral core that integrates with time in the glass and culminates in a long, succulent, fresh finish. There's none of the roasted character of some of the 2015s, and this is deeply satisfying in its poise, energy, and balance. Bravo! John McIlwain

De Montille 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens-Bas 1.5L

If ever there was an argument for the elevation of Pommard 1er cru Rugiens to grand cru status, de Montille's Rugiens-Bas certainly makes a convincing case. The 2016 is 40% whole cluster with aging in 1/3 new oak. The robe is a dark ruby, nearing purple. Aromatically, this offers a kaleidoscopic array of dark flowers, black fruits, and deeply earthy scents with more seemingly in reserve. The palate is intensely flavored with plummy fruit, good mid-palate density, firm tannins and a firm core on ferrous minerality on a concentrated, long finish. This is offering good nascent complexity, though the impression is of a Rugiens that is coiled and will need time to reveal its potential. Given the better part of a decade in the cellar, this should be sensational as the magnificent fruit integrates with the significant structure and drink beautifully for another 10-15 years and beyond. John McIlwain

De Montille 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds

From a 1.51 ha parcel in the rocky soils of Taillepieds. Biodynamically farmed 100% whole cluster. Aged in 30% new oak barrels. The de Montille 2016 Volnay Taillepieds is one of the highlights in a vintage full of effusively floral and vibrantly precise Burgundies. The wine has a pale ruby robe. The nose is exuberantly scented with sweet aromas of wild roses, cherry blossom, and perfectly ripe wild cherry. The palate is incisively stony with the breathtakingly pure red fruits framed with mouthwatering acidity and a sapid mineral core. The rising finish is impressively persistent and offers that classic peacock's tail of after-aromas and flavors. The impression is one of energy and lift rather than density or mass, though this has the balance to age effortlessly. An exceptional Taillepieds and a perfect expression of the virtues of the excellent, if difficult vintage! Bravo to Etienne de Montille! John McIlwain

Des Croix 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes

Des Croix 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cents Vignes

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

Germain, Henri 2017 Beaune 1er cru Bressandes

Germain, Henri 2017 Chassagne Montrachet Rouge

Germain, Henri 2017 Meursault Rouge Clos des Mouches Monopole

Lafarge 1997 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes

Lafarge 1998 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes

Lafarge 1998 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs

Lamy, Hubert 2016 St Aubin 1er Cru Derriere Chez Edouard, Rouge

Lequin-Colin 2017 Bourgogne Rouge

Honest Burgundy at this price is an increasingly rare bird these days.  From two vineyards in Santenay with EcoCert certification, this bottle is all about bright strawberry and raspberry fruit, firm acidity and colored around the edges by a dusty mineral freshness. Also bear in mind, though bottled under screw cap, this is aged in older barrels about ten months. The wine needs a moment to uncoil and will benefit from a splash decant. But once it has had some air watch how quickly it disappears. 

Moreau, Bernard 2017 Chassagne Montrachet Rouge Vieilles Vignes

Morey, Pierre 2017 Monthelie

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

Rateau 2018 Beaune Les Prevoles

Jean-Claude Rateau's domain has been Biodynamic since 1979 and produces lovely light-bodied, old fashioned Burgundies. The 2018 Beaune Les Prévoles (a lieu-dit below 1er Cru Chouacheux and les Tuvilains) was vinified with the stems, bringing just the right structure to this lush and beautiful wine which shows beautiful ripe aromas of cherry and black raspberry with rose, earth, citrus and brown spice.  The palate is chalky and sapid, showing the ripeness of the 2018s, with lush berry fruits enveloping firm acidity and mineral flavors. Really a lovely wine and quite delicous now, full and ripe enough for grilled meats, as well as chicken and pork dishes and cheeses such as morbier, tomme de savoie. This should benefit from a bit of aging but is quite beautiful as a young wine, drink until 2035.  David Lillie

Rateau 2019 Beaune Clos des Mariages

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 brown limestone soils. "This fertile soil gives wines that are open and joyous, with delicate spice notes, giving great pleasure in their youth and capable of long-term aging." (J-C Rateau) Indeed the 2019 Clos des Mariages is a gorgeous wine showing a bright mélange of black cherry, strawberry and raspberry with hints of spice, citrus, licorice and violet. The palate shows dense, chalky fruit, sappy and ripe but retaining a nice lightness of body with firm acidity and mineral flavors that continue in the very long, juicy finish. This is absolutely delicious now and should drink well continuously over the next five to ten years. David Lillie

Rateau 2019 Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune Rouge Arrives 7/8

From a small parcel of 50 year-old vines in AOC Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune, certified Biodynamic, "lyre ouverte" pruning.  The wine shows a bright red/garnet color and very floral aromas of berry fruits - crushed raspberry and strawberry, quite pretty and a bit riper than usual in 2019, with a bit of orange peel and spice. The palate is bright, and light to medium-bodied with sappy tart cherry and strawberry fruit, finishing with good length of juicy acidity and minerals.  The wine is quite elegant and refreshing - it's a perfect Pinot for summer cookouts with family and friends. Enjoy! David Lillie

Rossignol, Nicholas 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets

Rouges-Queues 2017 Santenay

From 3 parcels of old vines in clay and limestone soils of the Les Saunières lieu-dit beneath Clos Rousseau. The 2017 Santenay has a dark ruby robe and is densely aromatic, with scents of violets, black fruits, black tea, and game. The rich palate is deep and layered offering flavors of blackberry, plum, five-spice, with an underlying mineral character featuring notes loamy earth. This is a generous Santenay with ripe pure fruit flavors underlain by sneaky structure.If drinking now decant or hold for 7-10 years. John McIlwain

Voillot, Joseph 2018 Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes

Amiot-Servelle 2016 Chambolle-Musigny

Armand 1976 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux

Arnoux Lachaux 2014 Latricières Chambertin Grand Cru

Arnoux-Lachaux 2017 Nuits St. Georges Les Poisets

From 60-year-old vines located beneath the Les Cailles premier cru. The soils are limestone marls. Fermented 100% whole cluster, 15% new oak. 

Bachelet 2016 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Bachelet, Denis 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

From 60-70-year-old vines spread across multiple lieux-dits. 100% destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, 20% new oak. Perhaps the most elegant and knit of the Gevrey-Villages. This is at least premier cru quality every vintage and ages effortlessly into deeply satisfying wine. Truly benchmark for the village and a smart choice for cellaring every year. John Mcilwain

Barthod, Ghislaine 2016 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Beaux Bruns

Cathiard, Sylvain 2002 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Aux Malconsorts

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

Cathiard, Sylvain 2016 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Aux Thorey

Cathiard, Sylvain 2016 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Murgers

Chantal Lescure 2016 Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots

Nestled in between Richebourg and Romanée-Saint-Vivant and Echezeaux, Les Suchots is a premier cru break in the line of grands cru that runs from La Tache to Mazis-Chambertin, this is likely due to the small dip in the hillside that makes the climat cooler. But what a premier cru! The 2016 from Chantal Lescure is begulingly perfumed with aromas of tea roses, exotic spice, wild cherry, and a cool herbal topnote. The palate is lithe and racy with lovely flavors of red fruits and a game, with more of that Vosne spice and a fine grained structure that balances the lush fruit with bright acidity and framing tannins. This is delicious with a quick decanting, but should really shine with a few years in bottle. Gorgeous Suchots and attractively priced (relative to its neighbors). John McIlwain

Chantal Lescure 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Mombies

The lieu-dit "Les Mombies" is situated downslope by the road with limestone clay soils. The 2017 Les Mombies is aromatically reticent on opening with notes of black tea, hedge fruits, and soil. With air it becomes more expressive with blackberry, Italian plum, and game. The mid-weight palate offers dark fruit flavors and good concentration over a fine mineral core and tannins that are more crushed velvet than silken, and this has fine fresh acidity and nice lift on the finale. There are plenty of layers here even if full expressiveness is implied at this point. This is a lovely Chambolle "villages" and ought to shine with 3-5 years in the cellar and beyond. John McIlwain

Chantal Lescure 2017 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

From 50+ year-old vines in the upper part of the Clos (Lieu-dit "Montiotes"). Terroir pebbly clay/limestone. 12 btls available.

Chantal Lescure 2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Vallerots

A new 1er for me. Apparently Les Vallerots is a near monopoly of Chantal Lescure per Jasper Morris. Dark ruby robe. The nose is a bit inscrutable on opening; with air, notes of black raspberry, plum, cherry pit emerge with a faint whiff on anise. The mid-weight palate is also a bit reserved, though it blossoms to reveal flavors of ripe raspberry, blood orange zest, mustard seed and pomegranate. There’s a fine sense of brisk acidity and stoniness—Les Vallerots is on top of the slope above the center of the village—lending energy to the wine through the mid-palate and on to the finish. There’s great flair here if you allow this to open up. The intersection of fruit and earth is compelling and satisfying; high altitude Nuits-Saint-Georges in character. If drinking now, decant for a few hours or better yet, cellar for 3-5 years. John McIlwain

Chantal Lescure 2017 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes

From the village portion of Les Damodes on the Vosne side of Nuits St. Georges, long-time organic farming, minimal use of SO2. The 2017 "Les Damodes" shows a bright red/black color with very floral aromas of black cherry and strawberry liqueur, with hints of mint, licorice and brown spice. There is deep black cherry, strawberry and red currant fruit on the palate which is chalky, round and ripe and is nicely balanced by bright acidity, a bit of tannin and a hint of oak. This opens up with aeration becoming more complex, with pretty red fruits lingering in the finish. Quite delicious now, this will show best in 5 to 8 years when the tannins and oak have integrated.  David Lillie

Chantal Lescure 2017 Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots

 2017 Les Suchots. A bit backwards on opening, mostly showing forest floor and tart berries. But with air, the nose unfurls to offer effusive aromas of wild raspberry, blackberry liqueur, and crushed rose petals. The palate is generous and coltish with ripe flavors of Bing cherry, turned earth, and exotic spices, with good density and a fine core of minerality. Not quite as nervy as the 2016, but this has fine balance, ripe tannins, and sneaky persistence. Delicious with guinea hen in a red wine sauce with mushrooms over grits. But I can see enjoying this with gamier fare. This shows plush fruit and savory soil notes and should gain in complexity with a few years in the cellar. John McIlwain

Chauvenet 2016 Bourgogne Rouge Noyer du Pendu

Chevillon, Robert 2017 Nuits St Georges Vieilles Vignes

De Montille 2016 Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Malconsorts

From the top of the slope planted in shallow limestone soils. 66% whole cluster. 60% new oak. The 2016 Malconsorts has a deeply-pitched nose with extravagant red and dark berry fruit, spice, game, and sousbois. The tightly coiled palate offers pure wild fruit, sapid earth notes, and layers of spice, black tea, and dense plummy stone fruit flavors overlaying a firm ripe structure, leading to a long explosive finish. This is tightly wound today, but should sing with 10-12 years in the cellar. This is truly impressive and has a long life ahead. John McIlwain

Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1999 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Cuvee Duvault-Blocher

Domaine Jean Fournier 2017 Marsannay Cuvee St Urbain Rouge

Duroché 2017 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru

Duroché 2017 Gervrey Chambertin 1er cru Lavaut St. Jacques

Engel, Rene 1996 Echezeaux 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 Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru

Fourrier 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Fourrier 2016 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Fourrier 2016 Vosnee Romanée Aux Réas Vieille Vigne

Fourrier 2017 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Grivot 2017 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

Grivot 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Les Beaux Monts

Grivot, Jean 2017 Echezeaux Grand Cru

Jane et Sylvain 2016 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. We have 36 btls of Fonteny for the vintage - given the structure of the "regular" Gevrey from Jane et Sylvain, the Fonteny will benefit from ten years in the cellar and should become a profound wine when mature.  In January of 2014, I tasted the 2002 Fonteny in the cellar with Jane and Sylvain.Their eldest son was born in 2002, so they saved a bunch for him, but were generous enough to share one with my father and me. It was transcendental - what I refer to as my "religious experience" with red Burgundy, and possibly one of the most memorable wines I've ever tasted. Flowers, stones, dried fruit, the subtle touch of tannin...truly a blissful experience. Jane says the wine has "la finesse du Ruchottes," referring to the Grand Cru vineyard that is literally feet away from the edge of their vines.  Eben Lillie

Jane et Sylvain 2017 Bourgogne Rouge

Jane et Sylvain: A refreshingly unpretentious name for a small organic estate in Gevrey-Chambertin. Their Bourgogne Rouge is from 20 to 30 year-old vines in a parcel that has never been chemically treated and always tended organically. The 2017 Bourgogne Rouge shows a brilliant red/black color with elegant, floral, tart cherry, raspberry, citrus and violet aromas. The palate shows the ripeness of 2017 with chalky strawberry and cherry fruit, earthy and very long, finishing with refreshing citrus, mineral flavors and red fruits. Serve this lovely Pinot Noir quite cool over the next five years - it's a delicious wine and a great value!

Lienhardt, Antoine 2018 Bourgogne Rouge

An assemblage of fruit from two parcels in the Côte de Nuits-Villages, as well as some purchased fruit from an organic grower in Fixin, this Bourgogne is an indicator of the potential for greatness in Burgundy in 2018. From the moment the cork was pulled, what was striking was the sense that this was a complete wine, without a stitch out of place. The core of  is one of intense dark red fruit that feels quite concentrated but never overwrought, thanks to a semi-carbonic fermentation using 100% whole bunches. The use of the stems lends an extra aromatic dimension of baking spice and fresh fennel and provides an overall feel of freshness and lift. This is excellent Pinot for the price and should satisfy classicists and hedonists alike.  Sam Ehrlich

Lienhardt, Antoine 2018 Côte de Nuits Villages Les Essards

From low-yielding vines located in Comblanchien (probably more famous for its quarries and eponymous limestone than viticulture), planted in the 1960s by Antoine Lienhardt's grandfather. Les Essards is a short distance from another of Antoine's lieux dits, Les Plantes Aux Bois. There is a thin layer of rocky clay topsoil over Comblanchien limestone and the vine rows run from east to west. The nose is floral and expressive with red fruits, wild strawberry, wild roses, hibiscus, blood orange peel, and green tea aromas. The palate is tense and nervy, with tangy red fruit, brambly wild raspberry flavors, and a taut, chalky mineral core. Just this side of tightly wound, this is energetic and displays verticality and brio offering concentration, rather than weight or breadth. I like the brightness here and even in its youth, there’s plenty of nascent complexity, even if it’s implied rather than realized. Give this a quick decant and enjoy with roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or wild mushroom risotto. John McIlwain

Lienhardt, Antoine 2018 Côte de Nuits Villages Les Plantes Aux Bois

A mere 200 meters from Les Essards, Les Plantes Aux Bois has clay top soils overlying the hard limestone mother rock. The nose is ample, perfumed, and dark-fruited with aromas of black currant and plum skin giving way to notes of bosky underbrush and spice. Flavors of blackberry, cassis, and elderberry dominate on the ripe, expansive palate. There is good freshness, with fine acidity providing lift and drive on the broad, long, lingering finish. Lovely with a quick decant, but there's plenty of material to justify mid-term cellaring. Light on its feet with good freshness to wake the palate, but enough minerality to whet the appetite of the discerning Burgundy aficionado.  One really senses the richness from the clay soils from this lieu-dit.  John McIlwain

Lignier, Hubert 2016 Chambolle-Musigny 1er cru Baudes

Lignier, Hubert 2016 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

Lignier, Hubert 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Bussières

Lignier, Hubert 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrees

Lignier, Hubert 2017 Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes

Lignier, Hubert 2017 Morey St. Denis Trilogie

Lignier-Michelot 2016 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

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

Michelot, Alain 2016 Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Cailles

Michelot, Alain 2016 Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Chaignots

Michelot, Alain 2016 Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges

Mugneret-Gibourg 2016 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Vignes Rondes

Potel 2005 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Gaudichots

Potel 2005 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Malconsorts

Rateau 2018 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 2018 shows a bright red/garnet color with high-toned aromas of ripe black cherry, black raspberry and red currant with rose, herbal and citrus notes, quite pretty and not over-ripe. The palate shows terrific density of complex red and black fruits with hints of licorice, sous-bois and minerals while retaining a lovely lightness and freshness, with bright acidity under the long vibrant red fruits and mineral flavors that linger in the finish. Grreat fun to drink now, best to wait 5 to 8 years when it will really sing, then drink until 2035 - 2040. David Lillie

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

Trapet 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Alea

Trapet 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin

Domaine Trapet is deeply committed to organic viticulture and makes some of my favorite expressions of Gevrey-Chambertin—just the right balance of deep earth funk and pure fruit. The 2017 is high-toned and pretty on the nose on opening with raspberry and wild cherry aromas with scents of oolong tea and a bit of game following. The palate is ripe and limber with lovely red and black fruit flavors framed by ripe tannins and savory soil notes. There’s fine balance and though this isn’t quite as reserved as many of the other Gevreys, there’s an honest sapid character beneath all the charm and this should be delicious with a few years in the cellar. 2017 is a vintage where the exuberance of the fruit can run away with things but Trapet has managed to maintain pinpoint poise and balance. Lovely juice. Buy a few; drink now with quail, duck breast, squab, or anything featuring mushrooms or age for a few years and enjoy with a cheese course or a veal chop with cèpes. This is a sensational villages and worth a look. John McIlwain

Trapet 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Ostrea

From four limestone-rich old vine (planted in 1919!) parcels near the border of Brochon. Ostrea is so named due the the proliferation of fossilized oyster shells in the soils. Biodynamically farmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, 30% whole cluster. The 2017 is effusive on the nose with dark cherry, black raspberry, game, and black tea aromas. The mid-weight and sappy palate is endowed with pretty ripe, berry fruit, with an undercurrent of tangy acidity and fine-grained tannins with a persistent and rising finish. This is a joy to drink now, though there is distinct, if subtle, structure that bodes well for midterm cellaring. This is a more exuberant expression of Gevrey, but there's plenty of meat on these bones even if this more svelte than brawny in character. John McIlwain

Trapet 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Ostrea 1.5L

From four limestone-rich old vine (planted in 1919!) parcels near the border of Brochon. Ostrea is so named due the the proliferation of fossilized oyster shells in the soils. Biodynamically farmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, 30% whole cluster. The 2017 is effusive on the nose with dark cherry, black raspberry, game, and black tea aromas. The mid-weight and sappy palate is endowed with pretty ripe, berry fruit, with an undercurrent of tangy acidity and fine-grained tannins with a persistent and rising finish. This is a joy to drink now, though there is distinct, if subtle, structure that bodes well for midterm cellaring. This is a more exuberant expression of Gevrey, but there's plenty of meat on these bones even if this more svelte than brawny in character. John McIlwain

Trapet 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Capita

The 2017 "Capita" 1er cru is a blend of grapes from 4 sites Clos Prieur, Petite Chapelle, En Ergot, and Combottes. 60% whole cluster, 35% new oak. The robe is a dark ruby to the rim. The nose is floral and effusive offering an intriguing mélange of dark fruits, crushed violet, game, and pastille aromas. The palate is deep and savory  and shows a tangy mineral character, with ripe black raspberry fruit, framed by fine-grained, ripe tannins and driving energy on a long, rising. And while this is showing nascent complexity, there's still plenty coiled within. John McIlwain

Trapet 2017 Marsannay Rouge

From the Grasses Têtes and Grand Poirier lieux-dits. 10-20% whole cluster fermentation. The 2017 Marsannay offers aromas of wild strawberry, Morello cherry, black tea, and cool herbs on the nose. The mid-weight palate is a touch brambly, with wild berry and spice notes vying with a distinct earthy character for attention. The finish is persistent and offers a burst of black fruit and an almost minty character at the end. This leans in the direction of freshness, rather than rusticity and should age wonderfully in the mid-term, say 4-6 years.

Vigot, Fabrice 2016 Vosne Romanee Chalandins

Vigot, Fabrice 2016 Vosne Romanee Colombiere

Vigot, Fabrice 2016 Vosne Romanee Damaudes

Vogue 1998 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Amoureuses

Dangin, Bruno NV Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs

What a difference 2 kilometers makes! Bruno Dangin's Crémant de Bourgogne is made from 100% Pinot Noir from organically farmed vines in Molesme, located just beneath the southern border of Champagne's Aube.The limestone rich soils are the same as those of their pricier neighbor to the north.  Boasting a fine bead and soft mousse and aromas of red fruits and autolyse, one would be hard pressed to spot the difference. The palate offers great depth, pure pinot fruit, and a suave, layered, persistent finish. This is a great value in bubbles and will grace the holiday table nicely. John McIlwain

de Villaine, A et P 2018 Bourgogne La Digoine

de Villaine, A et P 2018 Bourgogne La Fortune

While the Côte Chalonnaise has long played second fiddle to the Côte d’Or (and third fiddle one supposes to the Côte des Nuits), there’s happy hunting and relative value for those who look. There’s plenty of terroir (even if from a different geological era ), good farming at a number of domaines, and the classic tension between fruit and soil that Burgundy at its best embodies. And if there’s a cream of the crop of to this Côte—and it being Burgundy, there’s definitely a hierarchy—it’s certainly Domaine de Villaine. Monsieur de Villaine's day job certainly gets the lion’s share of the press, but even in the humble south, there’s praise to be garnered and pretty delicious wine to be drunk. And while the Bouzeron is justly famous among the Burg Nerd set, the reds are nipping at the heels of that Aligoté pony. And the 2018 La Fortune Rouge deservedly rates. The robe is a deep ruby hue. The nose offers aromas of dried roses, violet, crushed strawberry, and just a whisper of sweet anise. The palate, while concentrated and displaying the best of the 2018 ripeness, hews the line between ripe and detailed with red and black fruit flavors vying with sapid notes of black tea, game, and powdery tannins girded by a distinctly mineral core. So while this is certainly delicious there is a whole lot of ‘there’ there. And this is manifest in the punchy, lingering, savory finish. The dry extract, persistence, and pinpoint balance give me the impression that this has excellent potential for cellaring, but I have to admit that opening a bottle now is equally compelling. A heck of a bottle with Rohan Duck breast and Japanese turnips and greens, this has enough gras to accompany pork cutlets with a mint pesto à la Highlands Grill or even a medium rare squab with farro. Lovely juice, indeed. John McIlwain

Jacqueson, Paul et Marie 2018 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. The 'Champs Martin' shows an elegant balance between density of flavor and remaining light on its feet. The nose is a like a walk through a Burgundian forest; complete with tree bark, wild flowers, raspberry brambles and wild cherry, with a dash of fresh cinnamon for good measure. Lush and concentrated on the palate, but not the least bit weighted down.  Michelle DeWyngaert