Chevrot 2017 Bourgogne Aligoté "Tilleuls"

Chevrot 2017 Maranges 1er Cru Le Croix Moines Rouge

Collet, Romain 2015 Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu

Collet, Romain 2017 Chablis Les Pargues

Dangin, Bruno NV Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé Brut

Located a mere 2 kilometers from the Aube, organic vigneron Bruno Dangin is one of our new favorite producers of Cremant de Bourgogne. The rosé is made from 30-year-old pinot noir vines planted in clay-limestone soils from the Upper Jurassic. The robe is a pale salmon color and there is a fine bead and soft mousse. The nose is an intriguing melange of wild strawberries, spices, and sea spray. The palate is salty and red-fruited, with layers of pinot fruit and a briny minerality. John McIlwain

de Villaine, A et P 2017 Bourgogne Blanc Les Clous Aimé

Des Croix 2016 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

Duplessis, Gérard 2014 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains

 The Montmains vineyard lies on the left bank of the Serein River a bit south of Vaillons.  The soils are comprised of clays over limestone.

Duplessis, Gérard 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Montmains

The 2016 Montmains from Duplessis shows great poise and nuance that belies the struggles of the early portion of the vintage, first with calamitous frost and then with two straight months of rain (and attendant disease pressure). Yet what’s in the bottle is generous and vibrant, if not as flamboyant, as Chablis from other growers such as Fevre, Billaud-Simon, or Dauvissat. The robe is a pale greenish yellow to the rim. The nose offers aromas of stone fruit and golden apple, white flowers, and a touch of brine  with some notes of pear skin and mint. The palate is supple on the attack with flavors veering more toward orchard fruits than citrus and a building a sense of minerality on the mid-palate that carries over on the persistent and building finish. This has a rather subtle expression of the left bank of the Serein terroir, that while nuanced becomes more intriguing with each sip. Rather more Chopin than Sousa, but quite agreeable. A fine pairing with pan-roasted scallops, sautéed white corn and braised scallions, and an heirloom tomato salad. Fine texture and breed that would be lovely with crab and pasta or grilled oysters with garlic butter. This should knit beautifully over the next few years in the cellar, but a is sheer joy to drink now. John McIlwain

Duplessis, Gérard 2014 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre 1.5 L

Duplessis, Gérard 2014 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons 1.5 L

Duplessis, Gérard 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

Duplessis, Gérard 2016 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos

Fichet 2016 Meursault Les Tessons

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

Fichet 2017 Auxey-Duresses Blanc

The 2017 Auxey-Duresses Blanc displays a cool-toned nose with aromas of Meyer lemon, white flowers, crushed herbs, and white peach skin. The palate is juicy, supple, and sapid with ripe stone fruit flavors buoyed by a fine bead of chalky minerality on a long, energetic, and detailed finish. Generous, bright, and delicious now, this should really shine with a few years in the cellar. John McIlwain

Fichet 2017 Meursault 375ml

The robe is a pale lemon yellow with glints of green to the rim. A bit of reduction and gun flint on opening. This blows off quickly to reveal inviting floral aromas of apple blossom and honeysuckle, giving way to pretty notes of orchard fruit, Meyer lemon oil, wet stone, and herbs. The palate is supple and generous, with ripe citrus and stone fruit flavors underpinned by a discriminating core of stony flavors with a long, compelling succulent finish with a nice burst of fresh acidity at the end. This is already revealing nascent complexity, though I’m inclined to believe this will knit beautifully and shows a nice upside. I’ll concede to loving Fichet’s wines and consider him to be one of the great, albeit lesser known vignerons in a village seemingly overrun with fantastic growers. This is really satisfying and a truly lovely Meursault villages.   John McIlwain

Fichet 2017 Meursault Gruyaches

From vines dating to 1918 located beneath Meursault Charmes. Always one of Jean-Philippe's most mineral-inflected wines.

Fichet 2017 Rully Blanc

Germain, Henri 2017 Meursault

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.

Lamy, Hubert 2016 Santenay 1er Cru Gravières

Lignier, Hubert 2016 St. Romain Blanc

Maison en Belles Lies 2017 Bourgogne Blanc

Moreau, Bernard 2017 St. Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly

Moreau, Bernard 2017 Bourgogne Blanc

Moreau, Bernard 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet

Moreau-Naudet 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Forêts

Moreau-Naudet 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons

Moreau-Naudet 2017 Chablis Grand Cru Valmur

Rollin 2016 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

Rollin 2016 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 1.5L

Rollin 2016 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Sous Frétille

Rontets 2015 Pouilly-Fuissé Pierrefolle

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

Rontets 2017 Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Varambon

Thenard 2007 Montrachet Grand Cru Le Montrachet 1.5 L

Bize, Simon 2016 Aloxe Corton Le Suchot

Bize, Simon 2016 Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Marconnets

Bize, Simon 2016 Savigny les Beaunes Aux Fourneaux 1er Cru

Bize, Simon 2016 Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Vergelesses

Chandon de Briailles 2017 Corton Clos du Roi

From .38 hectares of biodynamically farmed vines averaging over 40 years old, high on the hillside of Corton. Traditionally the most powerful and long-lasting of the stable of red Corton lieux-dits at Chandon de Briailles. Plummy black fruit, animale funk, wood smoke, 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 racy fruit on the long, substantial finish. This has real class and should be sensational after 10-15 years in the cellar. John McIlwain

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*

Chandon de Briailles 2017 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Île des Vergelesses

3.13 hectares of vines dating from 1938, with an average age of 40 years, in limestone clay soils, well exposed to the east. Île des Vergelesses is considered the finest climat in Pernand-Vergelesses, producing elegant wines that age effortlessly for 20+ years, as a recent tasting of the 1990, 1999, and 2002 vintages showed. The 2017 has a dark ruby robe with an exuberant nose offering bright floral and red and black fruit aromas. The deep-pitched palate offers a fine array of juicy red berry and black cherry flavors with notes of crushed herbs and soil notes framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and brisk acidity, and a bit of the peacock's tail on the vibrant, layered, expansive finish. Decant now or cellar for 7-10 years and beyond to allow the fruit and structural elements to integrate.  John McIlwain

Chandon de Briailles 2017 Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières

From 50-year-old vines located mid-slope. 50% whole cluster. The shallow soils overlay flat limestone rocks, giving way to clay subsoils.  The 2017 has a deep ruby robe. The nose is redolent of violets, hedge fruits and spice. The mid-weight palate shows good ripeness and punch with juicy blackberry and cassis flavors and sauvage notes with a pungently mineral—verging on salty—core, finishing with a burst of spice on the long, detailed, lip-smacking finish. This is earthy, though by no means rustic and shows great flair. There is sneaky structure and while this is delicious now, this will benefit from 5-8 years in the cellar. John McIlwain

Chantal Lescure 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Les Bertins

The Chantal Lescure Pommard 1er Cru "Les Bertins" is from a one hectare parcel of old vines on the Volnay side of Pommard, at the base of the slope in clay over hard  limestone and rocky debris. There is a pre-fermentation maceration followed by a long, slow fermentation with wild yeasts, with aging in 30% new barrels with one soutirage after 18 months. The wine shows a deep red/black color with bright, elegant aromas of blackberry and black cherry, deep and meaty with rose, earth and blood orange. The palate is dense and chalky with round, sappy blackberry and red currant fruit, licorice and minerals, lifted by bright acidity. The finish is long with saline minerals and black fruits lingering on the palate. Decant if drinking now - this very elegant Pommard will benefit from five years of cellaring, then enjoy until 2035. David Lillie

Chantal Lescure 2017 Cote-de-Beaune Clos de Topes Bizot Rouge

From vines planted in 1960,  high on the slope in Beaune just above the 1er Cru L'Ecu, facing east, in a terroir of clay and pebbles over limestone. The grapes from this high elevation vineyard are harvested late and undergo a short pre-fermentation maceration, aging is in two and three year-old barrels. The 2017 shows high-toned aromas of ripe black cherry fruit with rose, black pepper, earth and citrus, quite elegant. The palate is dense and earthy with sappy black cherry - intensely mineral with firm acidity, earth and black fruits that linger in the long finish. This is a quite elegant and "mineral" Burgundy at a very reasonable price, that will benefit from a few hours open or three to five years of cellaring.  David Lillie

Chantal Lescure 2017 Pommard Les Vignots

Chantal Lescure 2017 Volnay

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 it's youth - decant if drinking now, this will really sing in three to five years and until 2030+. David Lillie

Chevrot 2017 Maranges Sur le Chêne Rouge 375ml

Chevrot 2018 Bourgogne Rose 'Sakura'

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

Comte Armand 2016 Pommard 1er Cru Clos des Epeneaux

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

De Montille 2015 Beaune 1er Cru Grèves 1.5L

From a 1.26 ha parcel just south of the famed Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus from Bouchard. 100% whole cluster. While I’ll concede to not being a big believer in the 2015 hype, the De Montille Beaune Grèves certainly piques my interest. Dark berry fruit, brambles, a touch of orange oil, and stone on the nose, some sous-bois and a bit of oak. The palate is a mélange of hedge fruits, black cherry, black tea, and notes of blood orange, wrapped around a vibrant cherry pit and a salty mineral core. This has subtle tannins and poised ripeness (nothing overripe, or stewed here, thank you very much!) and delightful freshness given the vintage; all propelling a bright, succulent finish. And if I’m typically no fan of overtly stemmy Burgundy, this makes a compelling argument for the suaveness that can be accomplished by stem inclusion in a solar vintage. This is a lovely Beaune Grèves and a truly enjoyable and expressive wine from the vintage. This should gain in focus and complexity in the mid-term and is a sensational expression of the terroir. Kudos to Etienne De Montille! John McIlwain

De Montille 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Pèzerolles

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 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 Pèzerolles

From 1.35 hectares of organically-farmed vines. The 2016 vintage is 33% whole cluster fermentation aged in 30% new barrels. Pèzerolles is always one of the silkier and suppler expressions of Pommard (due to the limestone soils) with a fine core of stoniness within. In 2016 de Montille has released a beautiful example with a bright, high-toned nose with pretty aromas of wild strawberries, cherry, wet stone, and brown spice. The palate is lithe, racy, and mineral with pure red fruit and stone fruit flavors underlain by a savory, stony core and zesty acidity on a long, expressive, mouthwatering finish. This will benefit from a few years in the cellar and drink beautifully for a decade beyond. 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

Domaine Chantal Lescure 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Les Chouacheux

From a 1.5 hectare parcel of 50+ year-old massale selection vines on clay/limestone soils rich in iron, in this excellent 1er cru vineyard at the foot of the slope in Beaune. The 2017 Chouacheux shows very floral aromas of ripe black cherry and plum, with hints of brown spice, citrus zest and earth. There is nicely sappy, chalky fruit on the palate - black cherry, plum, red currant - backed by firm acidity and the ever-present core of minerality found in the Chantal Lescure wines. Decant or open well in advance if drinking now, this beautiful Chouacheux should be best 2024 - 2034.  David Lillie

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

Fery, Jean 2017 Savigny-les-Beaunes Ez Connardises Vieilles Vignes

Germain, Henri 2017 Bourgogne Rouge

Lafon 2017 Monthélie 1er Cru Rouge Les Duresses

Lignier, Hubert 2016 Pommard En Brescul

Monthelie-Douhairet 2016 Volnay 1er Cru En Champans

Moreau, Bernard 2017 Chassagne Montrachet Rouge Vieilles Vignes

Morey, Pierre 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots

From 48-year-old biodynamically-farmed vines from the lieu-dit Les Pétures. The grapes are destemmed and fermented with native yeasts. The 2016 has a dark ruby robe. A mélange of red and black fruits, sous-bois, and freshly-turned earth on the nose with a faint hint of spice. The mid-weight and supple palate offers sour cherry, pomegranate, and game flavors, underlain with a deeply mineral core and a long mouthwatering, moderately tannic, expansive finish.  This is beautiful Santenots and should age effortlessly as the elements integrate. Every year this is one of my favorite Santenots and a sure bet for cellaring. John McIlwain

Rateau 2016 Beaune 1er Cru Les Bressandes

Dark forest and hedge fruits on nose, earthy and brooding with game aromas. Taut and mineral, with a core of pungent soil notes of black tea, cherry pit, spice and stone on a dense mid-weight palate. Tightly wound, energetic, on the attack; savory and dark-fruited on the finish. This is a bit reserved at the  moment and benefits from a substantial decant or 5-10 years in the cellar. John McIlwain (June 4, 2019) - What a difference a few months make. This Bressandes has uncoiled to reveal pure wild raspberry and red currant flavors, the nose has become more expressive, exhibiting more floral plum and spice notes. There's a quite a bit more charm here while the underlying balance remains impeccable. Tasted recently alongside another dozen Beaune 1ers, this showed exceptionally well. John McIlwain

Rateau 2018 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).  The 2018 has a dark ruby, verging on purple robe. The ripe, lush nose offers plummy dark fruit aromas with notes of violet, cassis, and spice box. The palate also tends towards black fruits (there's that black cherry!), savory herbal notes, and a brooding earthiness beneath the ripe, exuberant fruit. There’s a lot to sort out here, but this has nice flair and concentration, if not delicacy. Give this a bit of time to knit and this should be a satisfying bottle with coq au vin or perhaps braised duck legs. John McIlwain

Rollin 2016 Pernand-Vergelesses Rouge

Rossignol, Nicholas 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds

Rossignol, Nicholas 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets

Voillot, Joseph 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets

Voillot, Joseph 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Les Champans

Dark ruby robe. A mélange of red and black fruit, forest floor and freshly turned earth on the nose with a faint whiff of anise and mustard seed. The midweight and concentrated palate offers sour cherry, pomegranate, and animale flavors, underlain with a deeply mineral core and a long mouthwatering, moderately tannic, expansive finish. This is fabulous Champans and what it may lack in overt polish, it makes up in mineral frankness and lift. This should age effortlessly and is cracking traditional Burgundy! Voillot’s 2016s are not to be missed! John McIlwain

Voillot, Joseph 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets

From .61 hectares of vines planted in 1932, 1950, and 1978. The vines are toward the top of the parcel in thin limestone soils. The 2016 Fremiets from Joseph Voillot has a bright ruby robe. The nose is delicate and floral with aromas of red fruits (wild strawberry, red currant, morello cherry), wild roses, rose hips, and exotic spices. The palate is silken, and supple, with red hedge fruit and wild strawberry flavors, and a fine stoniness beneath the dry extract. There’s a fine bright energy here, with a discreet structure framing the charming, succulent fruit. The finish has sneaky length and  articulate mineral detail. This is a Fremiets of finesse rather than power, but compelling nonetheless. Delicious now, though perhaps better in 5-8 years and beyond. John McIlwain

Voillot, Joseph 2017 Bourgogne Rouge Vieilles Vignes

Arlaud 2016 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru

50+ year-old vines from the top of the Mazoyères section of Charmes-Chambertin, beneath Latricières, adjacent to Domaine Leroy's vines. 20% new oak. This is also a step-up from the already excellent 1ers. Effusively aromatic, with scents of perfectly ripe orchard fruit. Pure cherry, red and black plums, spice box, and game notes. The nose is kaleidoscopic, layered, and dazzling for Charmes. The palate is equally impressive, with layer after layer of perfectly ripe Pinot fruit, vying with a profound stoniness for attention. This has a deeply mineral core and has the lift to carry all the stoniness. Finely-grained tannins and succulent acidity run through the finish. This is great Charmes! Needs 10-15+ years, but just electric. Wow! John McIlwain

Arnoux Lachaux 2016 Vosne-Romanée

Arnoux-Lachaux 2016 Bourgogne Pinot Fin

Tasted on a raw rainy night, perhaps better suited to Barolo or St. Joseph, but curiosity get the best of me. The nose is initially reticent (dampened?), but given a hour open begins to reveal a small forest’s worth of wild berries and hedge fruit—fraises de bois, red currant, wild raspberry and the like with a floral component to boot. Very pretty, the mid-weight, lithe palate is replete with pure crunchy red fruit flavors, sousbois, and pretty spice character underlain with chalky minerality and mouthwatering acidity. There are ripe, but sneaky tannins within lending a bit of earnestness, lest you think this nothing but bright fruit and flowers. This is a lovely Bourgogne Rouge and is a good indication of the change of style at Chez Arnoux-Lachaux, emphasizing purity and energy, rather than extraction and emphasis. Cracking with a pan-roasted veal chop and morels, better still with the cheese course on this sodden spring night. Charles Lachaux is a young grower to watch with well-situated old vines, diligent farming and a deft hand in the cellar! John McIlwain

Audoin, Charles 2018 Marsannay Rosé

Bachelet, Denis 2016 Bourgogne Rouge

From two plots planted in 1977 and 1986 in limestone clay soils.  100% destemmed and aged in used barrels. Domaine Bachelet is one of the greatest growers in Burgundy and this Bourgogne  shows all the breed and class of a Gevrey villages. Highly recommended.

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

Bouchard 1996 La Romanee Grand Cru

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

From 32-year-old vines on shallow stony soils. Champeaux is one of the brightest and most vibrant of the Gervrey 1ers. Burguet's is easily one of my favorites. Bright red fruits and violets dominate the nose, the palate is cool, refined, and has great concentration, exhibiting a finely mineral finish. (Verging on cerebral were it not for the prettiness of the fruit.) John McIlwain

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 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

From 50+ year0old vines in the upper part of the Clos (Lieu-dit "Montiotes.") Terroir pebbly clay/limestone. The 2016 Clos Vougeot has a vividly deep ruby robe. The nose is circumspect via reduction and youth. With air aromas of  blackberry, black currant, and violets emerge. The palate is tightly wound with notes of espresso, mustard seed, cherry stone, Earl Grey, and ripe black fruit.The finish is long expansive and supple with mouthwatering acidity and a savory mineral character. This has structure to resolve, but the ripe intense fruit to knit with time in the cellar. Grand Cru class and a compelling Clos Vougeot for the patient. John McIlwain

Chantal Lescure 2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes

From the village portion of Les Damodes on the Vosne side of Nuits St. Georges. Dark ruby verging on purple robe. The nose offers aromas of plum, blue fruits, blood orange rind, a touch of iron, with a bit of oak. The mid-weight palate has bright acidity, flavors of black currant, plum skin, cherry stone, and a pungent earthiness on a long, faintly grippy finish. This has good density and punch on the mid-palate with a fine core of soil notes. This is clearly young, but balances mouthwatering acidity, Nuits St. Georges tannins, and beguiling dark, ripe forest fruits. Decant now or allow the elements to knit. This has a lot of flair and should make for a classic expression of Damodes with 5-7 years in the cellar.

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 Beaux-Monts and attractively priced (relative to its neighbors). 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

De Montille 2016 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

From a .29 hectare plot in the upper third of the Clos. One third whole cluster.

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

Duroché 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin

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

Fery, Jean 2017 Cotes de Nuits-Villages Clos de Magny

Fourrier 2015 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Goulots

From vines planted in 1966 by Champeaux and Combe Aux Moines. Fourrier made some truly beautiful wines in 2015 handling the ripeness and power deftly. This should age effortlessly.

Grivot, Jean 2016 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

50+-year-old vines. Grivot's Clos Vougeot is backwards at this time, but has the fruit and the structure to make for old bones. Great energy is implied within structural elements, give it 7-10 years and drink for another 15.John McIlwain

Gros, Anne 2002 Chambolle-Musigny La Combe D'Orveau

Gros, Michel 2002 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Grand Maupertuis

Jane et Sylvain 2016 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 2016 Jane et Sylvain Côte de Nuits-Villages is a bit denser than the previous vintages from this site -  it's 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 scents 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 firm tannins. Decant 4 to 6 hours in advance if drinking now, or cellar for 3 to 5 years and drink till 2030. Highly recommended for those who enjoy some minerals in their Burgundy!

Jane et Sylvain 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin

From 45 to 60 year-old vines, certified organic, mostly in En Pallud (below 1er Cru les Corbeaux). The low yields and small berries of 2016 really show in this dense and well-structured Gevrey. The aromas are elegant and deep with chalky black raspberry and black cherry, the palate is dense and concentatrated with fabulous length of black fruits and minerals, Carafe many hours in advance if drinking now, best to cellar five years and drink until 2035+. This will be a superb mature Gevrey and is highly recommended.

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

Leroy 1999 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Beaux Monts

Lienhardt, Antoine 2017 Côte de Nuits Villages Les Essards

Lienhardt, Antoine 2017 Côte de Nuits Villages Les Plantes Aux Bois

Lignier, Hubert 2016 Chambolle-Musigny Les Bussières

Lignier, Hubert 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin

From vines in the Epointures and Reniard lieux-dits. Classically Gevrey--gamy, earthy, with black fruits and a firm mineral core.

Lignier, Hubert 2016 Morey St. Denis 1er Cru La Riotte

Lignier, Hubert 2016 Morey St. Denis Trilogie

Lignier, Hubert 2016 Nuits St Georges Les Poisets

62-year-old vines located beneath 1er cru les Cailles. Dark-fruited, mineral, with a sappy core of plum black fruits and a hint of iron.

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

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

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

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

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

Taupenot-Merme 2014 Chambolle-Musigny

Trapet 2016 Chambertin Grand Cru

Trapet 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Alea

Trapet 2017 Bourgogne Passetoutgrains A Minima

Trapet 2017 Bourgogne Rouge

Vogue 1988 Musigny Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes

Vogue 1991 Musigny Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes

Vogue 1996 Musigny Grand Cru Vieilles Vignes

Champs de l'Abbaye 2017 Monthélie Les Sous Roches

Dangin, Bruno NV Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs

Domaine d'Edouard 2017 Côtes d'Auxerre Pinot Noir

Domaine Parent 2016 Pommard 1er cru Les Epenots

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

Guillot Broux 2017 Bourgogne Marisa

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

Jacqueson, Paul et Marie 2017 Mercurey 1er cru Les Champs Martin

Vignes du Maynes 2017 Mâcon-Cruzille Manganite

Made from massale-selection Gamay Petit Grains planted in 1953, grown on a limestone/clay parcel high in magnesium, in the Clos des Vignes du Maynes in Cruzille, organic since 900 AD, now certified Biodynamic. The energetic Julien Guillot vinifies his reds without sulfur or additives of any kind, producing complex, mineral, elegant wines that transcend their appellation.  The 2017s here are lovely, showing the elegance, purity and balance typical of the estate with the wonderful ripeness of the vintage. The wine shows gorgeous red and black fruit aromas with cranberry, raspberry, earth, stone and musk with hints of mint and spice. The palate is bright and sappy,  beautifully balanced with black raspberry, tart strawberry, citrus, stone and earthy flavors, that continue on the very long finish with chalky red fruits and refreshing acidity. Always one of the greatest Gamays produced anywhere, the 2017 Manganite is a young wine that will benefit from decanting or five to fifteen years in the cellar. Highly recommended! DL

Villaine 2017 Bourgogne La Fortune