Beaufort (Amaury) 2015 Bourgogne Tonnerre Vaumorillon

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.

Champs de l'Abbaye 2016 Rully Les Cailloux

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 sows 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

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 Moor (Vendangeur Masqué) 2016 Vin de France Bourboulenc de Marie & Eric

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

Domaine d'Edouard 2015 Côtes d'Auxerre Chardonnay

Duplessis, Gérard 2013 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 1.5L

Duplessis, Gérard 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre

Located on the right bank of the Serein, Montée de Tonnerre is one of the more structured premier crus, distinctly mineral and long-lived. The 2015 Duplessis Montée de Tonnerre is a classic expression from the site. Crushed herbs, lime zest, flint, and sea spray on the effusive nose. The palate shows incisive minerality with pungently saline character offset by cool-toned apple and citus notes. this is deeply stony with driving energy on an impressively long and palate-staining finish. Excellent now with a quick decant, better still in 3-5 years. John McIlwain

Duplessis, Gérard 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume

Duplessis, Gérard 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu

Duplessis, Gérard 2015 Chablis Vaugiraut

Located on the left bank of the Serein, the name Vaugiraut derives from “Vaul Girault,” which means Girault's valley, likely the name of a local owner. Aged entirely in cuve (stainless steel tank), Duplessis' 2015 Vaugiraut offers pretty aromas of white flowers, honeysuckle, white peach, and crushed herbs. The palate displays flavors of white peach, citrus, and salt with hints of green tea and quinine on the stony, precise finish. John McIlwain

Ente, Benoit 2016 Puligny-Montrachet Nexe Flore

A blend of 57% Puligny villages with 43% Puligny 1er Truffière. Nexe Flore is a play on words, per Allen Meadows, of next floor, implying a step up from the Puligny villages tout court. John McIlwain

Fichet 2016 Meursault

Bright, cool-toned, and floral, with a faint hint of reduction. The nose offers pretty aromas of white flowers (lemon blossom, honeysuckle), Meyer lemon peel, and rainwater. Frankly mineral on the palate, with a sense of pungent stoniness, giving way to ripe stone fruit flavors and a firm core of soil notes. This is ripe and pure with great precision on a vibrant, succulent, lingering finish. Great complexity throughout and a gorgeous village level Meursault! John McIlwain

Fichet 2016 Meursault Les Chevalières

Shallow limestone clay soils with limestone substrate. The 2016 Chevalières is positively incandescent. Lemon blossom, Meyer lemon peel, orange oil, sea spray on the nose. Great driving surf saline minerality and impeccable ripeness offering an array of citrus and stone fruit flavors on the palate. Pungently earthy and surgically precise. Incisively stony on the attack, with mouthwatering acidity and minerality, evolving into an expansive and galloping finish. Clearly young, and a bit coltish, but this has the nascent sophistication, complexity and pent-up energy to age for years. Absolutely delicious and a stellar Chevalières! Bravo, Jean-Philippe Fichet! John McIlwain

Fichet 2016 Meursault Gruyaches

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.

Lignier, Hubert 2015 St. Romain Blanc

Moreau-Naudet 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains

Moreau-Naudet 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

While the 2014 vintage resulted in a number of stellar white Burgundies graced with energy and complexity, some of the most striking have come from Chablis. Moreau-Naudet was especially successful and the wines show class from the basic villages thru the premier and grand crus. The 2014 Vaillons is a radiant example of the terroir, with airy aromas of stone fruit, citrus peel, honeysuckle, and wet stone. The palate is vibrant with minerality and punchy acidity, with smoky flint vying with cool-toned citrus, and spice flavors on a concentrated, tactile finish, which is just a shade broader than that of the Forêts. Lovely now, but there's plenty of dimension which bodes well for aging (if you can resist drinking your bottles in the near term). John McIlwain

Moreau-Naudet 2016 Chablis

Moreau-Naudet 2016 Chablis 375ml

Moreau-Naudet 2016 Petit Chablis

From 2.5 hectares of younger vines, farmed organically and fermented with native yeasts in steel tank. The 2016 Moreau-Naudet Petit Chablis is bright and floral, with aromas of jonquil, honeysuckle, apple blossom, Meyer lemon, rainwater. White orchard fruits, lemon oil, Golden Delicious apple, and salt on the palate. Ripe, but racy. Long, succulent, and snappy on an incisively mineral finish. Lovely! Always an over-performer of a Petit Chablis. Moreau-Naudet is a wonderful domaine whose great farming results in terrific wines. A splendidly fresh aperitif and just fabulous with a salad of white beans, red onions, spring lettuces, and Spanish tuna packed in oil. John McIlwain

Pernot 2016 Bourgogne Aligoté

Pernot 2016 Bourgogne Chardonnay

The wines from the Pernot family in Puligny-Montrachet are well-known throughout the world for classic Puligny and Bâtard style. They have rich concentration and fruit, but more importantly, good acidity that allow them to age gracefully and harmoniously. The Bourgogne Chardonnay is from vines in the village of Puligny and is an outstanding value in white Burgundy. The color is very pale steely gold, the wine shows lovely aromas of almond, pear, green apple, citrus skin and stone with a bit of lime-flower. The palate is dense but lean with elegant flavors of stone, almond and citrus with a bit of herbal honeysuckle in the end. The finish is very firm with bright mineral acids. This is a lovely junior Puligny that will accompany sole almondine, other fish in sauce, even oysters, and mild goat cheeses.

Pernot 2016 Puligny-Montrachet

Pernot 2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Garenne

Pernot 2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles

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 flavors in the refreshing finish. Serve with fish in sauce, scallop crudo, Asian foods and mild cheeses.

Rateau 2017 Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc

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

Rollin 2015 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

Rollin 2015 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 1.5L

Rollin 2015 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Sous Frétille

Domaine Rollin's Pernand-Vergelesses Sous-Frétille 1er cru is a perennial favorite, especially in warm vintages, where the morning shadow of the hill of Corton is mitigated by heat later in the day. The 2015 offers aromas of white flowers, ripe stone fruit (nectarine, white peach), golden apple, and Meyer lemon peel. The mid-weight, verging on rich, palate displays ripe orchard fruit flavors overlaying a deep-seated minerality, with a tactile stoniness lending drive, energy and mid-palate depth on a pungent, concentrated, nearly muscular finish. Sous Frétille always has a degree of gravitas that reminds me of Corton-Charlemagne, especially in solar vintages, where the ripeness aligns with the mineral concentration. This is a fabulous example and should be singing in 5-8 years and beyond. Gorgeous baby Corton! Fabulous with schnitzel and would be glorious with pan-roasted cod or grilled sole. Lovely Burgundy that is still accessibly priced (relatively speaking). John McIlwain

Tripoz NV Crémant de Bourgogne Nature

Vignes du Maynes 2015 Mâcon-Cruzille Les Chassagnes 1.5L

This is a superb, subtle and very mineral Chardonnay from a replanted parcel at the very top of the Clos, abandoned since 1896, with thin clay soils rich in iron over limestone. A great terroir, never chemically treated and worked in biodynamic farming by Alain and Julien Guillot.  The 2015 "les Chassagnes" is a beautiful wine, a bit fuller than the 2014 but still quite racy and stony with hints of white fruits, spice and honey. The palate is silky and crystalline - all minerals with subtle citrus and white fruits, very long and elegant. Highly recommended! David Lillie

Vignes du Maynes 2016 Macon-Cruzille Aragonite

From 40 to 80 year-old massale-selection Chardonnay vines high on the slope in Cruzille on limestone with a great deal of calcium carbonate crystal (aragonite) with thin topsoils of clay and silica, never treated with chemicals, certified biodynamic. Fermentation is in 600 liter barrels with wild yeasts, aged 10 months sur-lie without racking, no SO2 until a small dosage (10 - 20 mg/l) before bottling. The 2016 "Aragonite" is a superb, well structured white Burgundy that will age beautifully. The wine shows elegant aromas of pear, lemon confit, lime-flower, toasted almond and stone, really lovely. The palate is intensely mineral and framed in firm acidity, with white fruits, citrus, spice and stone flavors. The living soils of the Clos give this wine an extra dimension of acidity and saline minerals that will contribute to a long life for this lovely wine, perhaps best 2025-2035, but it's delicious as a young wine as well. Highly recommended.  David Lillie

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

Champy 2001 Pernand Vergelesses Blanc

Chandon de Briailles 2014 Corton Clos du Roi

From .38 HA biodynamically farmed vines averaging over 40 years old, high on the hillside of Corton. Traditionally the most powerful and stern of the stable of red Corton lieu-dits at Chandon de Briailles. 80% whole cluster fermentation. There’s a fair bit of reduction to this initially, but with a long decant this recedes to reveal aromas plummy black fruit, animale funk, black tea, and fresh-turned earth. In the mouth ripe red/black fruit flavors mingle with pungent minerality on the vibrant mid-weight palate. There is good sap and firm, but ripe tannins supporting the fruit on the long, substantial finish. This has real class and should be sensational after 10-15 years in the cellar. John McIlwain

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

Gaunoux, Michel 2013 Pommard 1e cru Grands Epenots

Gaunoux, Michel 2013 Pommard 1e cru Rugiens-Bas

Jadot 1990 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Ursules

Lafarge 2013 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes

Lignier, Hubert 2015 Pommard En Brescul

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

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, whic is exactly what 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 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 2016 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

Rollin 2015 Pernand-Vergelesses Rouge

Rossignol, Nicholas 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots

From vines planted in Santenots du Bas dating from as far back as the 1920s. The 2015 Nicolas Rossignol Volnay Santenots makes a convincing case for the virtues of this sunny vintage. The wine has a dark ruby robe and a nose redolent of black cherry, red cherry, lavender, exotic spices, and violets. The medium weight palate shows good sap and ripe tannins with concentrated cherry and raspberry flavors overlying a dense core of minerality. There's terrific density and persistence on a long, detailed, layered finish without any sense of excessive weight, which marks some of the wines of the vintage. Great Santenots! John McIlwain

Rossignol, Nicholas 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds

Voillot, Joseph 2014 Volnay 1er Cru Les Champans

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 Bourgogne Rouge Roncevie

Arlaud 2016 Morey St Denis 1er Cru Aux Cheseaux

40+ year-old vines. Adjacent to Mazoyères on the Gevrey side of the the village. One of the cooler locations with a long ripening period. 15% new oak in 2016. This is a step up in class from the village level wines with a similar intensity, if different character than Les Millandes premier cru. Effusively perfumed with aromas of violets, hedge fruits, cassis, black tea and baking spices, mustard seed, and turned earth on the nose. The mid-weight palate is a bit cooler-toned than Millandes, with mouthwatering pure berry fruits and tangy minerality. Great persistence and sap on a finely-detailed, succulent, classy finish. This verges on cerebral, were it not for the equipoise between earthy and fruit notes. Doesn't shout, but speaks eloquently in paragraphs. A great Cheseaux that should age effortlessly! John McIlwain

Arlaud 2016 Morey St Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes

45+year-old vines in clay limestone soils. 15% new oak. The 2016 Arlaud is a sensational expression of Les Millandes. On the nose it offers pure-fruited, pretty aromatics with ultra-ripe (not over ripe) pure cherry and violet aromas. Coltish and nervous on the palate, this shows great energy, ripe fruit flavors, with a tactile mineral spine, ripe tannins, generous fruit, with a long, driving mineral finish. This is excellent. Beautiful after-aromas and a good amount of the 'peacock's tail.' Lovely now, but this has the elements to age for 10-15 years and beyond. John McIlwain

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

Bart 2017 Marsannay Rosé

Domaine Bart in Marsannay made no rosé in 2016 due to the very low yields, so we're very glad to have this lovely Pinot Noir available again from the 2017 vintage. The wine shows a bright pink color and pretty aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, rose and citrus. The palate shows ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit with earth and mineral notes, as befits the limestone terroir of Marsannay. The finish is long and refreshing. This is light enough to serve with fish dishes and salads but has the depth and complexity to accompany grilled foods this summer.

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

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

Clavelier, Bruno 2014 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts VV

Coudray-Bizot 1999 Vosne Romanée 1er Cru La Croix Rameau 1.5L

Drouhin 2001 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru

Esmonin, Sylvie 2015 Côtes-de-Nuits Villages

Esmonin, Sylvie 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques

Esmonin, Sylvie 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Faiveley 2012 Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru

Fourrier 2016 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes

Giboulot, Emmanuel 2015 Hautes Côtes de Nuits Rouge Sous Le Mont

Grivot, Jean 2015 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

Grivot, Jean 2015 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots

Gros, Jean 1977 Richebourg Grand Cru - levels 3.5cm

Gros, Michel 2015 Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Clos des Reas 1.5L

Jane et Sylvain 2014 Côte de Nuits Villages Queue de Hareng

We are happy to have just received (July 2018) a few more cases of the 2014 CDN Villages, as this wine really benefits from some time in the bottle and decanting. Always an earthy and mineral-infused wine, the 2014 is a bit more fruit-forward but is still primarily a Burgundy of terroir. There is reduction when first opened so please decant or open in advance. With aeration the wine shows subtle aromas of red currant, strawberry and tart cherry with violet, brown spice and earth - really quite complex and pretty. The palate is well-structured with chalky mineral flavors underlying the earthy  raspberry and strawberry fruit. The finish is long with firm acidity and mineral notes. This is a lovely and beautifully balanced Burgundy for those who enjoy minerals as much as fruit! Note: The wine improves dramatically  over 3 to 4 days, re-corked in the fridge, for those with enough patience - or cellar for five to fifteen years. (Note from Sept 2016)

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 extraodiarily long and pure. Decant 4 to 6 hours in advance if drinking now or cellar for 3 to five 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

Jane et Sylvain 2016 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain

Jane et Sylvain 2016 Bourgogne Rouge

Jane et Sylvain: A refreshingly unpretentious name for a small organic estate in Gevrey-Chambertin. Their Bourgogne Rouge is from a parcel that has never been chemically treated and always tended organically. Yields were very low in 2016 in most of Burgundy - Jane and Sylvain lost most of their Bourgogne Rouge to mildew and hail, but the small quantity produced is outstanding, showing a deep red/black color and lovely aromas of ripe black cherry and blackberry with violet, earth, citrus and spice. The palate is sappy and dense, but balanced with firm acidity, at 13% alcohol, showing chalky black fruits, earth and mineral flavors that continue in the long finish. Decant or open in advance if drinking now, best to cellar three to five years. This is a serious Bourgogne Rouge at a great price!

Lamarche 1993 La Grande Rue Grand Cru

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

Liger-Belair 2001 Vosne Romanée 1er cru Colombière

Liger-Belair 2001 Vosne Romanee Clos du Chateau

Liger-Belair 2003 Vosne Romanee Clos du Chateau

Liger-Belair 2006 Vosne Romanee

Lignier, Hubert 2015 Nuits St Georges Les Poisets

Lignier-Michelot 2015 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. More floral and denser on the palate than Les Chenevery, with a good deal of the class of the grand crus. The 2015 is effusively perfumed with heady aromas of black and red hedge fruits, wild cherry, and spice. The palate is distinctly mineral, framing lush flavors of sweetly ripe cherry and blackberry, with notes of game and mustard seed on a tense, vibrant finish. As with others of Lignier-Michelot's 2015s, the effusive ripeness in underlain by good structure and bodes well for long-term cellaring. John McIlwain

Lignier-Michelot 2015 Morey Saint Denis 1er Cru Les Faconnières 1.5L

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. More floral and denser on the palate than Les Chenevery, with a good deal of the class of the grand crus. The 2015 is effusively perfumed with heady aromas of black and red hedge fruits, wild cherry, and spice. The palate is distinctly mineral, framing lush flavors of sweetly ripe cherry and blackberry, with notes of game and mustard seed on a tense, vibrant finish. As with others of Lignier-Michelot's 2015s, the effusive ripeness is underlain by good structure and bodes well for long-term cellaring. John McIlwain

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

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 Pur Pinot Noir

The 2016 "Pur Pinot Noir" is the first Bourgogne Rouge produced by the talented Stephane Magnien at his superb estate in Morey-Saint-Denis (using the new "Coteaux Bourguignons" appellation and formerly blended with Gamay into two cuvees of Passetoutgrain). The Pur Pinot Noir is from a mix of young and old vines in the lieu-dit "Gué," below the village of Morey-Saint-Denis -  it's a lovely wine, vinified with minimal extraction, showing a bright red/black color with pretty aromas of black cherry and black raspberry, floral and deep with hints of earth and meat. The palate shows ripe, sappy berry fruits with firm tangy tannins that lift the fruit, really quite lovely. The finish is long with a nice mix of minerals, red fruits and bright acidity.  This shows the ripeness and structure of the low-yielding 2016 vintage in a complex and delicious red Burgundy that will drink well with just about anything over the next five to eight years. Highly recommended and a great value!  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 Faconnières

From a parcel of old vines grown in Les Faconnières, one of the best situated climats in Morey-Saint-Denis, located beneath Clos de la Roche and between the Millandes and Charrières premier crus. The 2016 has a deeply-pitched, perfumed nose,  redolent of dark fruits, wild rose petals, and violets with  aromas of black cherry and mustard seed, with cool notes of crushed herbs. The midweight and energetic palate offers punchy ripe black and red fruit flavors over a distinctly earthy and savory structure. The finish is expansive, mouthwatering, gamy, mineral, and long, with fine persistence. Plenty of charm, but the inherent structure and poise cry out for some time in the cellar. This is a fabulous Faconnières and a worthy candidate for long term aging. Just beautiful! John McIlwain

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

Michelot, Alain 1990 Nuits St. Georges Aux Champs Perdrix

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

Rion 1990 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Hauts Pruliers

Rion 1990 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Chaumes

Serveau 1990 Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Chabiots

Tardy, Jean 1993 Clos de Vougeot

Trapet 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin

Trapet 2015 Gevrey-Chambertin Ostrea

Trapet 2016 Bourgogne Passetoutgrains A Minima

50% Pinot Noir, %50 Gamy from the biodynamically farmed Grands Champs parcel in Gevrey. Trapet 2016 Passetoutgrains A Minima. Wild cherry, strawberry, beetroot, and blood orange peel on the bones. Fresh blast of red fruits, followed by ferrous soil notes, and tangy red currant/pomegranate flavors. Mouthwatering and bottled without SO2. Serve with a chill, this is perfect burger or barbecue wine. John McIlwain

Trapet 2016 Marsannay Rouge

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 Monthelie "Les Sous Roches" from Alain and Isabelle Hasard showing the classic structure and density of this excellent vintage. The wine shows vibrant aromas of fraise 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 balck 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, Cotes Chalonnaise, certified organic since 1999. This is a lovely Pinot Noir, a bit rounder and riper that 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

Champs de l'Abbaye 2017 Cote Chalonnaise Clos des Roches

Organic since 1997, Alain and Isabelle Hasard produce, pure, vibrant Burgundies at their small estate near Mercurey. The 2017 Clos des Roches is a true Clos of about one-half hectare, known for hundreds of years for the quality of its limestone terroir, facing due south. This is a beautiful Pinot Noir, showing very ripe black cherry aromas with hints of citrus peel and violets with earth and mineral notes. The palate shows lush black cherry and blackberry fruit, quite earthy and dark balanced by bright acidity and with very pronounced saline minerals. This is a unique and delicious Burgundy, perfect with pork and chicken dishes, charcuterie and full-flavored cow cheeses. Only five cases for the US.  David Lillie

Champs de l'Abbaye 2017 Cote Chalonnaise Les Claveaux

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

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

Jacqueson, Paul et Marie 2016 Rully 1er Cru Preaux

Tripoz 2016 Bourgogne Rouge Chant de la Tour

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

Vignes du Maynes 2016 Bourgogne Cuvée Auguste

The Vignes du Maynes "Cuvée Auguste" is a superb Burgundy made from massale selection Pinot Fin planted in 1964. The parcel, high on the slope in Cruzille, is on Bathonian limestone with a great deal of calcium carbonate crystal (aragonite) with thin topsoils of clay and silica. Yields of 20 hl/ha, semi-carbonic  and normal alcoholic fermentations, with zero additives, bottled under nitrogen. Yields were quite low in 2016, but as with much of Burgundy, the 2016 Cuvee Auguste is a classic, well structured wine that should age beautifully. The wine shows beautiful aromas of tart cherry, rose, earth, orange peel and spice. The palate is dense and earthy with a core of deep berry fruit, silky and elegant with notes of citrus, licorice and roast meat. The finish is long and sapid with chalky minerals, citrus, spice and berry fruits. This is a gorgeous living wine - decant a few hours if drinking now or cellar five to ten years or more.  A very small quantity is available of this rare and beautiful wine.   David Lillie

Vignes du Maynes 2016 Bourgogne Cuvée Auguste 1.5 L

Villaine 2016 Bourgogne La Fortune

Pomegranate, cranberry, cassis, and violets on the nose. Punchy and fresh on the mid-weight, pungently earthy palate. Great tension between tart fruit, sapid herbal notes, and salty (iodine?) stoniness at core. Ripe tannins and a densely earthy core are finely knit. Decant now, or cellar for another couple of years to allow structural elements to further integrate. I hate to say this is a “serious Bourgogne,” but looks like I just did. John McIlwain

Villaine 2016 Mercurey Les Montots