Bize, Simon 2018 Bourgogne Blanc Les Champlains

We are huge fans of the Bize wines and what we have seen of the 2018s so far has us jazzed. The whites are of particular note, considering the warmth of the vintage. They have the poise and freshness that one expects from serious white Burgundy, while still showing the fruit and richness that characterizes the vintage. "Champlains" is a Bourgogne that performs at a high level, from a parcel that Patrick Bize planted himself. It includes about five percent of Pinot Beurrot (known as Pinot Blanc elsewhere) and has a beautifully ripe nose full of white peach and lilies. There is good weight on the palate and more of that stone fruit character, wrapped up in a lovely sea shell-like finish. We opened a bottle the day this arrived  at the store and put it away in not more than thirty minutes.   Sam Ehrlich

Bize, Simon 2018 Bourgogne Blanc Les Perrieres

Brocard, Julien 2017 Chablis 1er cru Vaudevey

Julien Brocard farms his 18 hectares biodynamically, using horsepower in the vineyards when possible. Grapes are hand-harvested and he's very hands-off in the cellar: using spontaneous native yeast fermentation, a mix of larger, wooden vats and foudre for aging, and lower levels of sulfur. Vau de Vey is a 1er Cru vineyard in a valley between the Côte de Léchet and the Vau-Ligneau. Slopes here can get very steep (too steep for horses), and there are lots of large chunks of limestone mixed within the soils. Eastern exposure and the location in the valley makes for a cooler site, fantastic for Chardonnay with a mineral finish. CB

Chandon de Briailles 2017 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

Based in the village of Savigny-lès-Beaune with vines in Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses, the estate has roots going back to 1834. Claude de Nicolay, along with her brother François de Nicolay, fashion pure, old-school, age-worthy Burgundy. The vineyard work has been organic since the 1980s and certified biodynamic since 2005 with vines replanted with massale selection. Yields are kept low to express the terroir of each vineyard. 

Chandon de Briailles 2018 Savigny-les-Beaune Les Saucours-Sans Soufre

Chazelles (Domaine des) 2017 Vire-Clesse Vieilles Vignes

Viré Classé is a privileged location in the Macon that enjoys a fantastic exposure to the sun on a slight slope. This yields wines that have an added weight and complexity compared to your run-of-the-mill Macon-Villages. At Domaine des Chazelles, organic vines with over 50 years of age broadcast dense flavors of golden apple and stone fruit with an invigorating touch of acid. This is a great Chardonnay with concentration and freshness that could age beautifully for years. 

Colin-Morey, Pierre-Yves 2018 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes

Colin-Morey, Pierre-Yves 2018 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Ancegnières

Colin-Morey, Pierre-Yves 2018 Meursault

Domaine de Montille 2016 Bourgogne Blanc

The domaine currently known as Domaine de Montille was established in the 1750s, with the de Montille family coming into the picture through marriage in 1863. Now the estate is headed by the current generation, siblings Alix and Étienne de Montille. The Bourgogne Blanc sees up to a year of aging in a mix of used barrel and stainless steel tank. CB

Domane de l'Enclos 2018 Petit Chablis

Duplessis, Gérard 2017 Chablis

With 9 hectares of vines covering 5 various premier and grand cru sites, Lillian Duplessis crafts the most pure and compelling Chablis we have had the pleasure of tasting. All of the vines are planted in Kimmeridgian limestone giving the wines that classic, crunchy minerality for which the region is known.This wine shows baked pear and pineapple with a touch of honeysuckle and lime zest on the nose and is deeply mineral and focused on the palate.

Duplessis, Gérard 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu

Fourrier 2018 Bourgogne Blanc

Goisot, Guihelm & Jean-Hugues 2018 Bourgogne Aligoté

Goisot is perhaps best known for their Sauvignon de St. Bris, considered a benchmark for the appellation, as well as riveting Cote d'Auxerre chardonnays that often outperform wines from neighboring Chablis. The Aligoté often goes overlooked, which is a shame, as it is firmly of a piece with the other wines in the range. The 2018 shows the weight of the vintage without obscuring the distinct character of limestone soils. This gleams white-green in the glass and the nose displays lime zest, under-ripe pear. white lilies and something I can only describe as dust from blackboard eraser. On the palate there is more citrus, white pepper, tarragon and a salty chalky finish. This will make a lovely aperitif and a welcome companion to oysters and clams this summer. Sam Ehrlich

(This is a pre-arrival and will be available for delivery starting Friday).

Goisot, Guilhem & Jean-Hugues 2018 Sauvignon de Saint-Bris Exogyra Virgula

Estates making serious Sauvignon de St. Bris are as rare as hens' teeth and Goisot sits atop this tiny heap. The appellation, (in the near-vicinity of Chablis) is the only one in Burgundy that permits the planting of Sauvignon Blanc and often gets lost in the ocean of Chardonnay. But when handled right, these can be wonderful, refreshing, salty wines. 2018 was a warm vintage across France and this is a richer style than some previous iterations, redolent with lime curd, pineapple and fresh sage. But the limestone core is what gives this wine its soul. The finish is firm and saline, making this more than a match for almost anything you might be having for dinner. Thinking about a bottle of Sancerre for this evening? You'd do well to consider this instead... Sam Ehrlich

Guillemot-Michel 2018 Viré-Clessé Quintaine

We're extremely happy to have the wines of Guillemot-Michel back at Chambers Street! Along with Jean and Gautier Thevenet, and Julien Guillot at Vignes du Maynes, they are making white Burgundies with more depth and minerality than anything comparably priced in the Cote D'Or. The 2018 Quintaine is a gorgeous white Burgundy, showing a brilliant pale gold color and complex aromas of poached pear, almond, candied lemon, kiwi, stone and lime-flower, elegant and quite beautiful. The palate is round and dense, a bit riper than the 2017, with firm acidity, showing cool stone fruits and citrus with caramel, stone and mineral flavors. The finish is long and very mineral, with chalky white fruits lingering on the palate. This is a young wine, give it some time in a carafe if possible. (At a recent tasting, the 1989 and 1990 were showing beautifully, so put a few in the cellar!) Beautiful wine - congratulations to Pierrette, Marc, Sophie and son-in-law Gautier!

Guillemot-Michel 2018 Viré-Clessé Retour a la Terre

Created in 2017, this cuvee is issued from grapes in the "Champ-Rond" vineyard, vinified in amphora of 800 liters. The 65 year-old vines are grafted on "Riparia Gloire de Montpellier" an old root-stock obtained in 1880, giving very low yields with magnificent small grapes, of a deep gold color. The 2018 Retour a la Terre presents the exotic notes typical of the domaine with an extra dimension of expression due to the respiration of the amphora. The small grapes of "Champ-Rond" ripen beautifully without a high degree of alcohol -  they are picked on the last day of the harvest, and the elevage in amphora gives the wine a great purity. Tasted at the domaine in January 2020, the wine showed elegant floral, white fruit, apricot, lemon and stone aromas. The palate was round, dense and silky with fabulous length. This is a superb white Burgundy that is delicious now and will cellar beatifully for ten to fifteen years. Highly recommended!  David Lillie

Guillemot-Michel 2018 Viré-Clessé Une Bulle

The Guillemot-Michel "Une Bulle" comes from a tiny parcel of old vines on limestone with red clay, high in iron. The wine is a Pet-Nat (Methode Ancestrale) that is bottled after a short period of fermentation, leaving enough sugar in the wine for the fermentation to continue and create the desired bubbles. The wine is aged in bottle on the lees for around 18 months, then riddled and disgorged and re-bottled with a bit more "Une Bulle."  The result is a very delicious aged Pet-Nat showing honeyed aromas of pear and white peach with hints of almond, marzipan and brioche. On the palate the mousse is soft and creamy with flavors of peach and quince  with lime-flower and minerals and a long finish of white fruits, citrus peel and firm acidity. This is a delightful wine to sip by itself or pair with mild cheeses, patés and terrines, fruit desserts..  David Lillie

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

Leflaive 2017 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru

Lequin-Colin 2014 Santenay Les Hates

White Santenay is always a rare bird and to find one with bottle age at a good price feels a bit like Christmas. The Lequin-Colin wines we have tried have been generally excellent. The farming is first class and the wines feel uniformly restrained and elegant. "Les Hates" sits at the center of the appellation and sandwiched between several excellent 1er Cru sites. This is a nice bottle that shows a touch of reduction when the cork is pulled and then broadens as it opens up, with notes of preserved lemon, sesame and cured ham. 2014 was a truly great vintage for white and red Burgundy alike, notable for a wonderful sense of balance and focus. This won't last, so grab one before these are gone.  Sam Ehrlich

Marcel Couturier 2017 Pouilly-Loché Le Bourg

There is a host of terrific growers in Mâcon and Pouilly farming organically these days and Marcel Couturier is one of the best. He is meticulous and hard-working and it is reflected in the wine. "Le Bourg" is a  single parcel of vines that  average seventy years old, planted in quite heavy clay and limestone soils. The wine that it produces is quite classic Pouilly, with rich yellow apple fruit, preserved lemon and baking spice. It is certainly the more baroque side of the appellation but that feeling of richness is ultimately an illusion. Like all good white Burgundy, it is held in check by a core of limestone that lends freshness and structure.   Sam Ehrlich

Merlin, Olivier 2016 Macon - La Roche Vineuse Vieilles Vignes

Moreau, Bernard 2018 Bourgogne Blanc

Moreau-Naudet 2018 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur

"Valmur" is nestled firmly at the center of the Grand Cru hillside and rises all the way to the top, just below the treeline. This parcel produces powerful mineral-driven wines that can age for ten to twenty years at a clip. Compared to a Cote D'Or Grand Cru white, this is a steal!

Morey, Pierre 2018 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru

Morey, Pierre 2018 Bourgogne Blanc

The 2018 Pierre Morey Bourgogne Blanc, sourced from three parcels in Meursault, is a show-stopper of a wine. Upon opening, it shows lemon, a touch of creme brulee crust in the nose and an overall sense of richness that one would expect in a solar vintage such as this one. However, this is all held firmly in check by plenty of acidity and a sense of salty minerality that comes to dominate the wine. It is spilling over with chalk and cool stoniness, adding tension and focus as it sits in the glass. Everything else kind of fades away, leaving only you and the earth. This is magnificent for the level and will satisfy Burgundy cravings tonight or in five years if you are inclined to put a few bottles in the cellar.  Sam Ehrlich

Morey, Pierre 2018 Meursault Tessons

Morey-Blanc 2018 Saint Romain Sous le Chateau

Morey-Coffinet 2011 Chassange-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 1.5L

Naudin, Claire 2016 Vin de France Pinot Blanc "Galanthus Nivalis

Rateau 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Les Coucherias

Beaune 1er Cru "Les Coucherias" is high on the slope on the site of an old quarry and much of the sub-soil is limestone tailings, permitting root penetration and drainage, with a topsoil of mixed clay and limestone "marnes blanches." In biodynamic agriculture since 1979, the vineyard is a south-facing semi-circle—a very warm spot. The 2017 has a pale green gold robe. The nose offers an array of stone fruit and citrus peel aromas with a hint of mineral spice. The mid-weight, punchy palate shows a melange of stone fruit and green apple flavors with a pungent sense of minerality driving the long, concentrated finish. There's plenty going on here with ripe fruit and floral overtones vying with an overt stoniness for attention. Just cracking with a wild mushroom risotto, and a natural match for chicken, roasted cod, or even blanquette de veau. Give a quick decant now or better still in 2-3 years and beyond. John McIlwain

Rateau 2018 Beaune 1er Cru Les Coucherias

Beaune 1er Cru "Les Coucherias" is high on the slope on the site of an old quarry and much of the sub-soil is limestone tailings, permitting root penetration and drainage, with a topsoil of mixed clay and limestone "marnes blanches." In biodynamic agriculture since 1979, the vineyard is a south-facing semi-circle—a very warm spot.The 2018 has a bright bronze/gold color and lovley aromas or ripe white peach and pear with exotic citrus and herbal notes. The ripe, deep palate palate shows stone,  apricot, pear and almond flavors with lovely density and a firm core of minerality that lingers in the very long finish. Delicious now, showing the lush fruit of 2018, it should cellar beautifully as well. David Lillie

Rateau 2018 Cote de Beaune La Grande Chatelaine (arrives 9/8)

About a kilometer or two northwest of the Beaune 1er Crus, La Grande Chatelaine is a cooler site with soils comprised of clay over limestone. Stone fruit and pear skin, white flowers and wet stone on the nose. Bright and fresh aromatically. The mid-weight palate is racy (especially given the vintage) and rainwater fresh with orchard fruit and lemon oil flavors, dancing astride sapid herbal notes with a clinging stoniness on the long, mouthwatering, expansive finish. Delicious with mezze maniche and sautéed fresh white corn, spring onions and grape tomatoes. And I can see this pairing beautifully with grilled sea bass or pan-roasted scallops. This is lovely vibrant Chardonnay with a sense of place and worthy of a look, though I’d drink in the mid-term while the fruit is singing, say until 2025. John McIlwain

Rollin 2017 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 1.5L

 The Rollin family has been making and bottling wines from Pernand and Aloxe since the mid-1950s and today are one of the best addresses in either commune. These are old-school wines made with a minimum of fuss - treating the vines only when absolutely necessary, hand-harvesting, fermenting only with native yeasts and without slavishly relying on new oak for flavor or richness. Their Charlemagne is a true Charlemagne, with vines on both the Aloxe and Pernand sides. This is notable because the two produce wines of such different character, with the south-facing Aloxe parcels contributing richness and the cooler Pernand side adding tension and freshness but each one delivering the intense chalk character  that distinguishes Corton-Charlemagne.

Rontets 2017 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 climate 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." (note from the estate) 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

Sainte Barbe 2017 Viré-Clessé La Perrière

 Jean-Marie Chaland owns two estates in Viré (Macon), Domaine Sainte Barbe and Domaine des Chazelles, both certified organic since 2006. The Sainte Barbe "la Perriere" is made from 35 year-old grapes from a half-hectare parcel near Viré on clay/limestone soils, never treated with herbicides. The grapes are hand-harvested and vinified with wild yeasts, the wine ages for 18 months, half in barrel, have in cuve inox. The 2017 shows pretty aromas of pear, apricot, lime flower and stone. There is nice richness on the palate, which is supple and elegant with chalky white fruits, a bit of nectarine, verbena and a hint of oak, with firm acidity, silky fruit and mineral notes in the long finish. This is a stylish white Burgundy that will accompany  any full-flavored fish dish, chicken in sauce and mild cheeses, and it will age nicely for 5 to 8 years.

Saumaize-Michelin 2017 Pouilly-Fuissé Vers Cras

This excellent Pouilly-Fuissé is a model of restraint. Coming from a parcel of vines averaging 45 years old,  the fruit hre leans tropical but never feels too lush or sticky. There is a touch of oak spice, particularly upon opening, but dissipating with air. There are notes of ruby red grapefruit, pineapple and an earthy quality reminiscent of modeling clay. The acidity is firm  and bracing and the chalky minerality become increasingly prominent the longer the wine is in the glass. It finishes with a pleasanty pith-like bitterness (almost like very dry tonic water) and is very persistent. If your heart is crying out for Chassagne-Montrachet, then you would do well to consider this delicious wine instead.  Sam Ehrlich

Thenard 2007 Montrachet Grand Cru Le Montrachet 1.5 L

Tripoz 2018 Macon Loche Cuvee du Clocher

We tasted a sample of this a few weeks ago and the staff was pretty much flattened by it. The 2018 vintage has been characterized by richness and lush fruit but this seems to defy all expectations. It's brimming with citrus fruit that feel like they were just peeled - tangerine and Meyer Lemon - wrapped around river stones and seasoned with sea salt. The racy texture and acid practically crackle with electricity, almost like great dry Chenin or Riesling. Tremendous.  Sam Ehrlich

Vocoret, Eleni & Edouard 2018 Chablis Bas du Chapelot

Bize 2018 Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Les Talmettes

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

Chandon de Briailles 2018 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Les Vergelesses - Sans Soufre

Chandon de Briailles 2018 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Fournaux

Chantereves 2018 Volnay Les Lurets

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

Des Croix 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Bressandes

Des Croix 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cents Vignes

Germain, Henri 2017 Beaune 1er cru Bressandes

Germain, Henri 2017 Chassagne Montrachet Rouge

Germain, Henri 2017 Meursault Rouge Clos des Mouches Monopole

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

Latour, Louis 2001 Corton Grancey Grand Cru 375ml

Launay-Horiot 2014 Pommard 1er Cru Clos Blanc

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 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots

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

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.

Roche de Bellene 1997 Chambertin Grand Cru

Rossignol 2008 Volnay 1er Cru Les Chevrets

Rossignol, Nicholas 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets

Voillot, Joseph 2018 Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes

Amiot-Servelle 2016 Chambolle-Musigny

Arlaud 2016 Gevrey 1er Cru Aux Combottes

Armand 1976 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux

Arnoux Lachaux 2014 Latricières Chambertin Grand Cru

Bachelet, Denis 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Bachelet, Denis 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

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

Barthod, Ghislaine 2017 Bourgogne Rouge Bons Bâtons

Barthod is in a handful of the truly ace growers of Chambolle-Musigny, making wines of terroir that have the ability to age for many years. Her Bourgogne Rouge "Les Bons Batons" is an outstanding bottle, year after year, and we feel fortunate to have a bit more this year to offer out. It comes from a single parcel just outside the village limits and presents real Chambolle character, full of red cherry fruit, dried roses, baking spice and a cool long finish. This will reward a couple of years in the cellar or give it a gentle decant for tonight!  Sam Ehrlich

Barthod, Ghislaine 2017 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Cras

Barthod, Ghislaine 2017 Chambolle-Musigny

Barthod, Ghislaine 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Beaux Bruns

Barthod, Ghislaine 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Chatelots

Bertagna 2005 Corton Grand Cru Les Grandes Lolieres 3 L

Berthaut-Gerbet 2018 Vosne-Romanée

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

Cruchandeau, Julien 2018 Haute Cote de Nuits La Cabotte

Julien Cruchandeau continues to quietly impress in 2018. This Hautes-Cotes de Nuits comes from two parcels with quite rocky soils  and steep slopes above the village of Nuits St. Georges. 2018 was warm throughout Burgundy and the fruit profile is ripe and a touch darker than in past years, leaning into black cherry and plum skin. Combined with the high percentage of whole bunches during fermentation, which lend spice and structure and the first impression is a formidable wine, perhaps even standoff-ish. However, with a few minutes of air, that brawn starts to recede and the acidity and a salty character come to the fore. The fruit lightens to a more classic red character and gains lift and energy. This is a wine that rewards attention with complexity. Give it a little decant if you drink it tonight or stow a couple away for three to five years.  Sam Ehrlich

Domaine Jean Fournier 2017 Marsannay Cuvee St Urbain Rouge

Marsannay has historically been the loneliest of stepchildren among the villages of Burgundy. There are no classed vineyards and its northerly location made achieving ripeness a challenge in difficult vintages. But the current crop of Burgundy fanatics know that Marsannay is a hotbed of innovation and that the best domaines are as great as any in the region when it comes to producing wines of terroir. Laurent Fournier may not be the household name that his best friend Sylvain Pataille is, but the wines at Fournier are just as distinct and great as those of Pataille. The 2017 Cuvee Saint Urbain comes from vines planted largely in 1975, vinified with about 25% whole clusters and aged in wood (15% new) and concrete. It's a clear perfect snapshot of Marsannay, full of juicy red and blue fruit, a touch of baking spice, hoisin and a cool mineral spine. But then there is the lift and buoyancy of the lovely '17 vintage - the wine is full of energy, even weightless, making not only satisfying but fun to drink. I dare you not to finish the bottle in one sitting.   Sam Ehrlich

Drouhin-Laroze 2015 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur

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 2018 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Grivot 2017 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

Grivot 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er cru Les Beaux Monts

Lamarche 2008 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

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 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Bussières

'Les Bussières' sits on the border of Morey-St-Denis, just below the Premier cru 'Les Sentiers'. The vines were planted between 1948 and 1988. Coming from the border between Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-St- Denis lends this bottle a sense of both, the elegance of Chambolle and the savory structure of Morey-St-Denis.

Lignier, Hubert 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrees

From 50-80 year old vines from the 'Les Seuvrees' parcel located right below the Grand Cru Mazoyeres Chambertin.

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

Magnien, Stephane 2018 Coteaux Bourguignons Tradition (Passetoutgrain)

From 35-55 year-old vines below the village of Morey-Saint-Denis 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.This is a lovely and affordable Burgundy that shows a dark red/black color and deep aromas of cherry and black raspberry with earth and citrus notes. The palate shows a potpourri of berry fruits with herbal flavors and impressive length, finishing with juicy acidity. Drinking beautifully now, and over the next few years - buy a case and make this your "everyday" Burgundy. (The 2015, a similarly lovely wine, was featured in the NY Times "20 Under $20" of 9/21/17)  David Lillie

Magnien, Stephane 2018 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 2018 "Grains Fins" is a terrific wine, surprisingly structured, mineral and dense from these young vines - perhaps the smaller grapes of Pinot Fin brought a bit more grip to this generous vintage. The wine shows a bright deep red/black color, with vibrant aromas of blackberry, earth and ripe morello cherry, very floral, with hints of darker fruit and stone with a fabulous backbone of chalky minerals. The palate has nice grip and density with sappy red and black fruits, with a chalky texture, leading to a firm and very long, lush and mineral finish with hints of licorice and cherry pit. Enjoy this delicious wine in its vibrant youth, or wait a few years then drink until 2030-2035  David Lillie

Magnien, Stephane 2018 Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes

Millot, Jean-Marc 2008 Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru

Mugneret-Gibourg 1998 Echezeaux Grand Cru

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

Mugnier, Jacques-Frédéric 2009 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

Mugnier, Jacques-Frédéric 2011 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses

Potel 2005 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Malconsorts

Rateau 2017 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. Ruby robe. The nose offers an intriguing contrast between floral aromas and gamy, sauvage notes. For every rose petal, there’s a contrasting earth tone. The tension is compelling. On the palate ripe cherry and raspberry flavors are underlain by a pungent stoniness on a mid-weight, faintly tannic, but fresh, finish. This is delicious, if brambly, now but should gain in suavity with time in the bottle. I’d choose to pair this with something autumnal and savory. Pigéon? Pintade? Daube? John McIlwain

Rousseau 2016 Gevrey Chambertin Clos du Chateau

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

Trapet 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Alea

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

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 

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.