2019 Vintage Burgundies of Domaine Chanson

It is recognised that, were the vineyards to be reclassified, Clos des Fèves would become a Grand Cru. Total class. The magic of Burgundy lies in its fascinating vineyards. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are planted to express the site, not the varietal; nowhere else can this complexity of terroir be found. The 2019 vintage expresses it to perfection. – Steven Spurrier, April, 2021

Click here or on the image above to see the complete offering.

2019 Vintage Burgundies of Louis Jadot

'For the reds, ripeness levels were ideal, and yields were a little bit higher than they were in whites. There is no lack of concentration in the whites, and the balance between sugar levels and acidity are very good thanks to exemplary pH levels. The management of the malolactic fermentation has been key to maintaining the balance in these wines, due largely to the high levels of malic acid present in the musts.'

'The lack of water made us concerned that the skins of the red grapes would not ripen thoroughly and that we would see a harshness in the tannins towards the end of the maceration period. To the contrary, what we've seen is an astonishing level of finesse in the wines which are already showing extremely well. The colours are rich and the fruit is reassuringly fresh, given the hot nature of this vintage.'

« Ripeness and freshness ». - Frédéric Barnier, Technical Director (Chef de Cave), Maison Louis Jadot

Click here or on the image above to see the complete offering.

Click here or on the image just above to see the complete offering.

2019 Vintage Burgundies of Maison/Domaine Joseph Drouhin

The 2019 vintage is in line with the vintages ending in 9; a very nice vintage, which should appeal to amateurs with the fullness and aromatic expression that the wines are offering in their youth, but also with the ageing potential especially for great red wines. - Frédéric Drouhin, https://m.drouhin.com/en/

2019 & 2018 Vintage Burgundies of Domaine Albert Morot

Le Domaine Albert Morot traces its commercial history back to 1820 and was once a thriving négociant business based in Beaune. More recently, when Madame Françoise Choppin took over in the mid 1980s, she ceased all négociant operations in order to concentrate on wines of their own production from their own vineyards in Beaune and in nearbt Savigny-lès-Beaune. Just a few years later, our wine buyer was introduced to the wines of Domaine Albert Morot by the late great John Rector of Sigel's in Dallas who also introduced us at about the same time to a Mr. Bobby Kacher, their then agent/importer. Now, we bring the wines through Madame Jeanne Marie de Champs, une extraordinaire exportatrice de vins de Bourgogne. Now under the direction of the great-nephew of Madame Choppin, M. Geoffroy Choppin de Janvry, the quality of the wines may have reached even higher. And the value in the wines remains apparent.

Pre-Arrival Offering of 2020 Vintage Skurnik Wines' German Riesling

In order to establish a thread of continuity here, it bears mentioning that this portfolio is that which was Terry Theise Estate Selections. It continues now as the German wines portfolio of Skurnik Wines. You will recognize the various producers for their impeccable quality. And 2020 is yet another in a string of recent vintages into which lovers of fine German Riesling will want to delve deeply. The wines are scheduled to arrive in the fall of this year.

It was persisting down with rain when I arrived at Domaine Michel Bouzereau for my annual tasting. Arriving half an hour early gave me a few minutes to dry out as Jean-Baptiste Bouzereau prepared the samples. Opening his handwritten book detailing the minutiae of the growing season, he told me:

"On the 5 April there was some frost, but only in the Bourgogne Blanc in Puligny. Flowering was around 5-6 June and it was quite warm. This caused some coulure and millerandage, even though the final yields were around the same as in 2018. There were two spells of heat: temperatures reached 38°C between 22 and 26 July and then the heat returned just before harvest. Thankfully there were occasional showers during July. I started the harvest on 6 September in Puligny Caillerets and the full team started three days later, finishing on 16 September. The Chardonnay reached between 13.8° and 14.3° of alcohol, but with good acidity and normal pH, around 3.1 to 3.2. There was less juice than in 2018 so there was a lot of concentration; a profile that I think makes them vin de garde - quite serious. The pressing was fine because the condition of bunches was healthy, and the stems helped eke out any juice. The 2018 is flattering and sensual, and 2019 is maybe more serious, classic in style, and might drink earlier."

I have been a big fan of this domaine for many years and in my opinion Bouzereau deserves more kudos. These are beautifully crafted, flavoursome wines that express their terroirs succinctly, maybe a touch weightier than other growers but always with sufficient tension. This is one address where the Meursault Genevrières was not going to allow Les Perrières to win all the honours and they are neck-and-neck in terms of quality, and only slight ahead of his splendid Les Tessons – Premier Cru in all but name.

- from La Lumière Noire: 2019 Burgundy - Côte de Beaune (December, 2020) by Neal Martin, vinous.com