New Burgundy Releases from Direct-Import Standouts

Today's Burgundy Newsletter shines a spotlight on several direct-import favorites and their recent releases that have just arrived in stock. The Chardonnays of 2022 are the focus with Sylvain Langoureau's superb St-Aubins, Paul Pernot's ultra-classic Puligny-Montrachets, Mâconnaise value stunners from Château Vitallis, and Chablis QPR performers from Seguinot-Bordet. The old-school 2021 red Burgundy vintage is highlighted by a quintet of astounding 1er Beaune offerings from Albert Morot for simply unbelievable pricing.

White Burgundy for Every Day of the Week by Château Vitallis

Château Vitallis is in the town of Solutré surrounded by Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards in southern Burgundy’s Mâcon region. They can trace their origins back to 1835 when the Dutron family took over the domaine. The same family is still at the helm, with Denis Dutron in the driver’s seat and his son Maxime managing the winemaking responsibilities. They have an envious selection of vineyard holdings scattered across appellations focusing mainly on Pouilly-Fuissé.

The Burgundy Wine Values Hiding in Plain Sight

Many of the lesser-known appellations in Burgundy have been making huge improvements in quality over the last 10+ years, and I’ve been travelling to these regions each year to find the hidden gems. Let’s take a deeper look at the Mâcon, Beaujolais, and the Côte Chalonnaise. These are all regions that are absolutely bursting with amazing values.

Domaine Renaud: Setting the Bar High in the Mâcon

The Mâcon is just a quick 90-minute drive south from the town of Beaune, which essentially functions as the mid-point of Burgundy and divides the Côte de Nuits (north) from the Côte de Beaune (south). Once you arrive in the Mâcon you are greeted with rolling hillsides, quaint small villages, and a farmer-driven culture of winemaking. The Mâcon is home to approachable, ready-to-drink, and affordable wine values, which makes it incredibly important—and rare—in the Burgundian ecosystem. Domaine Renaud has been fashioning some of the best values to be found in Mâcon from an array of vineyards scattered throughout the many appellations located within the Mâconnais.

Château Vitallis: The Future Looks Bright in Pouilly-Fuissé

It’s an exciting era in Pouilly-Fuissé, as the region finally gets awarded premier cru status for some of its best vineyards. Historic families with excellent holdings like Denis and Maxime Dutron of Château Vitallis are exemplars of the quality coming out of the region.

Burgundy 2017s Are Out, and the News Is Good

For Burgundy lovers, there’s a lot to be happy about with the 2017 vintage, especially for fans of whites. After frost damage and small yields in 2016, crops were back to normal in 2017, and quality was pretty consistently strong—meaning there’s some great wine out there and more of it. Neal Martin says of the vintage: “Some quite brilliant whites that, many growers are beginning to opine, equal or even surpass the haloed 2014s”—a lofty pronouncement, but the only way to find out is to drink!

burgundyKate SotoJanuary 28, 2019burgundy, burgundy 2017, burgundy whites, chardonnay, pouilly fuisse, macon

Burgundy 2016: From Bargains to Ballers

Our very last tasting of the year is coming up this Saturday and it’s a doozy: all Burgundy, all grand, all 2016 vintage. This was a tricky vintage that was high in quality but low in quantity. A mild winter had people initially optimistic, especially after the gangbusters 2015, but frost and mildew came in hard and heavy. The good news is that the smaller crop was one of excellent fruit, and the wines all show super singing acidity.

burgundyKate SotoNovember 9, 2018macon, burgundy, 2016 vintage burgundy, burgundy 2016

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