By country :: France :: Burgundy
As a child, my parents drank Bordeaux wines, so it wasn’t until my later life that I discovered the true wonders of Burgundy. Now however, like many wine fanatics, I believe Burgundy to be the true epitome of quality winemaking, as it revolves around the terroir and the craftsmanship of the winemakers themselves.
One of the most notable differences regarding the region compared to other well-known wine-making areas is that, when dealing with Burgundy producers, you contact the producer directly. In the case of other regions, including Bordeaux, your requests are more commonly forwarded to a sales manager or other representative.
In my opinion, that typifies just how personal the Burgundy wine-making process is, despite global commercial success, vineyards are still run and owned by passionate local farmers rather than large co-operatives.
The obvious problem with Burgundy wines is that, as a result of major worldwide demand brought about by their often unparalleled quality, it is very hard to secure good allocations from top producers. To underline the demand, despite the global recession, this year, exports from Burgundy have risen by 13%! It is my view
however, that although they are often inaccessible and relatively expensive, Burgundy wines deliver excellent quality as well as great value for money.
Burgundy is home to numerous young, quality minded producers who, in an effort to raise the quality bar in the region, are pushing for higher restrictions and higher quality requirements to qualify for the Appellation. This will undoubtedly lead to wines becoming more expensive, but importantly it will protect the true essence of
Burgundy wines that has ensured their position at the forefront of global wine production for over a century.
Richard
Found 38 products.
Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Jean-Marc Pillot, 2010Our price: £16.00Jean-Marc Pillot is a young and talented winemaker who is responsible for running the Domaine started by his great grandfather, Jean-Baptiste Pillot in 1910. He took over from his father Jean in 1991, having spent valuable years at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, where he trained as an oenologist. The ten hectares of vineyards are divided equally between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is hard to over-emphasise just how much Jean-Marc Pillot’s wines are improving with each vintage.
Bourgogne-Aligote Dme du Corps de Garde, Goisot, 2010Our price: £14.50The Goisots are perfectionists and this shows in their wine-making. They believe in the primacy of terroir and harvest as late as possible to maximise the potential of the grapes. The domaine has existed since the 15th century. The Goisot family believe that great wine begins in the vineyard and have worked in organic viticulture since 1993 to protect the soil and nourish the vines. No fertilizers, insecticides or weedkillers are used; wild or natural yeasts are encouraged.
Chablis 1er Cru 'Les Fourneaux' Domaine de la Meulière 2010Our price: £19.65An example of a family who have been independent wine growers for generations, the Laroche family have been producing fantastic Chablis from Domaine Meulière since the late 19th century. In recent years, the youngest generation of workers, Nicolas and Vincent, have integrated a number of new, modern winemaking methods, still the overall process still more or less mirrors that that was practised by their great grandfather when the Domaine produced its first harvest. They are one of the very last producers in Chablis to harvest by hand. Nowadays, around 180,000 bottles a year are produced by the family, with the vineyards covering almost 24 hectares of land. Domaine Meulière also boasts rather spectacular wine cellar, which dates back to the 18th century, which is definitely worth a visit if you are in the region.
Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume Domaine Fèvre 2011Our price: £19.95Run by husband and wife duo Gilles and Nathalie, Domaine Fèvre is composed of 42 hectares of vineyard, including large swathes of 1ers and Grand Crus. The couple met while both studying oenology at university, forming a potent combination that has produced wines that are acknowledged by many respected voices to be among the best in the region. Both obviously bring separate expertise and experience to the table, yet importantly, they share the common thinking that there must be as little intervention as possible during the grape growing process in order to allow their wines to encapsulate their natural terroirs in as honest a light as possible.
Chablis 1er Cru Monts de Milieu Domaine de la Meulière 2008Our price: £21.25An example of a family who have been independent wine growers for generations, the Laroche family have been producing fantastic Chablis from Domaine Meulière since the late 19th century. In recent years, the youngest generation of workers, Nicolas and Vincent, have integrated a number of new, modern winemaking methods, still the overall process still more or less mirrors that that was practised by their great grandfather when the Domaine produced its first harvest. They are one of the very last producers in Chablis to harvest by hand. Nowadays, around 180,000 bottles a year are produced by the family, with the vineyards covering almost 24 hectares of land. Domaine Meulière also boasts rather spectacular wine cellar, which dates back to the 18th century, which is definitely worth a visit if you are in the region.
Chablis Domaine de la Meulière 2011Our price: £14.00An example of a family who have been independent wine growers for generations, the Laroche family have been producing fantastic Chablis from Domaine Meulière since the late 19th century. In recent years, the youngest generation of workers, Nicolas and Vincent, have integrated a number of new, modern winemaking methods, still the overall process still more or less mirrors that that was practised by their great grandfather when the Domaine produced its first harvest. They are one of the very last producers in Chablis to harvest by hand. Nowadays, around 180,000 bottles a year are produced by the family, with the vineyards covering almost 24 hectares of land. Domaine Meulière also boasts rather spectacular wine cellar, which dates back to the 18th century, which is definitely worth a visit if you are in the region.
Chablis Domaine Fèvre 2010 (Half) 37.5clOur price: £8.50Run by husband and wife duo Gilles and Nathalie, Domaine Fèvre is composed of 42 hectares of vineyard, including large swathes of 1ers and Grand Crus. The couple met while both studying oenology at university, forming a potent combination that has produced wines that are acknowledged by many respected voices to be among the best in the region. Both obviously bring separate expertise and experience to the table, yet importantly, they share the common thinking that there must be as little intervention as possible during the grape growing process in order to allow their wines to encapsulate their natural terroirs in as honest a light as possible.
Chablis Domaine Fèvre 2011Our price: £14.80Run by husband and wife duo Gilles and Nathalie, Domaine Fèvre is composed of 42 hectares of vineyard, including large swathes of 1ers and Grand Crus. The couple met while both studying oenology at university, forming a potent combination that has produced wines that are acknowledged by many respected voices to be among the best in the region. Both obviously bring separate expertise and experience to the table, yet importantly, they share the common thinking that there must be as little intervention as possible during the grape growing process in order to allow their wines to encapsulate their natural terroirs in as honest a light as possible.
Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses Domaine Fèvre 2008Our price: £39.60Run by husband and wife duo Gilles and Nathalie, Domaine Fèvre is composed of 42 hectares of vineyard, including large swathes of 1ers and Grand Crus. The couple met while both studying oenology at university, forming a potent combination that has produced wines that are acknowledged by many respected voices to be among the best in the region. Both obviously bring separate expertise and experience to the table, yet importantly, they share the common thinking that there must be as little intervention as possible during the grape growing process in order to allow their wines to encapsulate their natural terroirs in as honest a light as possible.
Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru Domaine Trapet 2000Our price: £102.55This is one of two estates owned by the Trapet family, the other is located in Alsace. Run by Jean-Louis Trapet, a radical winemaker who has made a lot of alterations to the production process put in place by his predecessor, the estate is now entirely Biodynamic, with restricted yields in place in order to protect the vines and soil for future generations. His wines are now amongst the most sought after in the Côtes de Nuits following the huge amount of praise he has received on the international wine scene.
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Champgains' Domaine Pillot 2008Our price: £37.95The Pillot Domaine has been in existence since the 19th century and, like any other quality-minded Burgundy producer, the vines express their terrroir and the wines are made using modern techniques in a state-of-the-art winery.
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Embrazees", 2007Our price: £51.15Domaine Vincent et Sophie Morey
Chassagne-Montrachet VV Jean-Marc Pillot 2008Our price: £29.30Jean-Marc Pillot is a young and talented winemaker who is responsible for running the Domaine started by his great grandfather, Jean-Baptiste Pillot in 1910. He took over from his father Jean in 1991, having spent valuable years at the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, where he trained as an oenologist. The ten hectares of vineyards are divided equally between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is hard to over-emphasise just how much Jean-Marc Pillot’s wines are improving with each vintage.
Chorey Les Beaune 'Les Beaumonts' 2009 Pascal ArnouxOur price: £19.60Pascal has only recently taken over the family estate but has already made his mark with the 2008 vintage. As well as adopting a "lutte raisonnee" approach in his vineyards, Pascal is a non-interventionist in the cellar, though he does put a lot of thought into the oak selection process. He also knows a thing or two about barrels, as his father was a cooper. Arnoux's Chorey Les Beaune is a textbook Chorey with a lot of vibrancy and expression but also with the trademark elegance of Cote de Beaune Pinot.
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos des Prieurs Domaine Trapet 1998Our price: £73.25This is one of two estates owned by the Trapet family, the other is located in Alsace. Run by Jean-Louis Trapet, a radical winemaker who has made a lot of alterations to the production process put in place by his predecessor, the estate is now entirely Biodynamic, with restricted yields in place in order to protect the vines and soil for future generations. His wines are now amongst the most sought after in the Côtes de Nuits following the huge amount of praise he has received on the international wine scene.
Mâcon Davayé, Domaine de la Croix Senaillet, 2010Our price: £12.20Located in Davayé, in the south of the region, Domaine de la Croix Senaillet is quite literally surrounded by history, tucked away at the foot of the famed rock formations of Solutré. The estate, unlike its prehistoric backdrop, has undergone a sea of changes in recent years, namely since brothers Richard and Stephane Martin took over the running of the Domaine in 1992, and has recently been proclaimed fully organic. Previously, their father Maurice had controlled proceedings, but after his retirement, the new co-owners implemented a series of changes that saw Domaine de la Croix Senaillet rise steadily among the ranks of quality Burgundy producers. The key alteration was the decision to expand; in the last 20 years Richard and Stephane have grown the vineyard from 6.5 hectares to 25! A more recent series of changes has rendered the estate fully organic, as every aspect of the production process was scrutinised from vine to bottle in an effort to improve the quality of their wines – a campaign which has undoubtedly proved most successful.
Marsannay Domaine Trapet 2009Our price: £22.65This is one of two estates owned by the Trapet family, the other is located in Alsace. Run by Jean-Louis Trapet, a radical winemaker who has made a lot of alterations to the production process put in place by his predecessor, the estate is now entirely Biodynamic, with restricted yields in place in order to protect the vines and soil for future generations. His wines are now amongst the most sought after in the Côtes de Nuits following the huge amount of praise he has received on the international wine scene.
Meursault 1er Cru Charmes Domaine Michelot 2004Our price: £52.30One of the most respected producers in Meursault, Domaine Michelot has built its reputation upon the consistent quality of its wines. The reputation comes from the ability of Domaine Michelot to deliver an opulent and rich style of Meursault, very traditional and very much what people expect from this terroir. Obviously the key to this success lies in the vineyard but extended lees contact and regular batonnage during vinification make the wines fleshy and approachable relatively early.
Meursault Domaine Henri Delagrange 2010Our price: £28.10Domaine Henri Delagrange family estate, headed at present by Didier Delagrange, is located in the Volnay area of Côte de Beaune. The 14.5 hectare site has seen wine production at the hands of the Delagrange family for more than 6 generations, and over the years the Domaine has successfully preserved many of the traditional methods which have given the estate its name as one of the best producers of high quality Burgundy wines. Despite now having integrated a number of more modern wine-making methods, Delagrange maintain their mission statement to produce traditional wines that are “fleshy, round, rich in fruit and bursting with finesse and elegance.” His Hautes Côtes de Beaune is a straightforward expression of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His flagship wine is undeniably his Volnay Vieilles Vignes: very smooth and velvety with really ripe morello cherry characters, very slightly dusty tannins and a long complex finish.
Meursault Domaine Michelot 2009Our price: £32.60One of the most respected producers in Meursault, Domaine Michelot has built its reputation upon the consistent quality of its wines. The reputation comes from the ability of Domaine Michelot to deliver an opulent and rich style of Meursault, very traditional and very much what people expect from this terroir. Obviously the key to this success lies in the vineyard but extended lees contact and regular batonnage during vinification make the wines fleshy and approachable relatively early.
Montagny 1er Cru 'Les Coëres' Domaine Feuillat-Juillot 2010Our price: £17.00According to its marketing campaign, Domaine Feuillat-Juillot produces “feminine wine”, thus, unsurprisingly, operations are controlled by a female, Francoise Feuillat-Juillot, a graduate of oenology at Dijon University. Originally, the estate was run in partnership with her father, Maurice Betrand, but after his death, she assumed control of all proceedings. Since then, production has gone from strength to strength, owing a lot to Francoise’s attention to detail and self-proclaimed “feminine sense”.
Nuits St. Georges Vieilles Vignes Domaine Daniel Rion 2008Our price: £39.30Domaine Rion is definitely one of Nuits St. Georges’ key producers. Founded by their father Daniel, the Domaine is now run by Olivier and Christophe and consists of 18 hectares. They both believe in minimal intervention in the winery, using a combination of modern techniques and traditional practices learned from their father. Nuits St. Georges is a typical village of the Cote de Nuits appellation and this wine shows power, strength and great masculine characters.
Petit Chablis Domaine de la Meulière 2011Our price: £12.20An example of a family who have been independent wine growers for generations, the Laroche family have been producing fantastic Chablis from Domaine Meulière since the late 19th century. In recent years, the youngest generation of workers, Nicolas and Vincent, have integrated a number of new, modern winemaking methods, still the overall process still more or less mirrors that that was practised by their great grandfather when the Domaine produced its first harvest. They are one of the very last producers in Chablis to harvest by hand. Nowadays, around 180,000 bottles a year are produced by the family, with the vineyards covering almost 24 hectares of land. Domaine Meulière also boasts rather spectacular wine cellar, which dates back to the 18th century, which is definitely worth a visit if you are in the region.
Pinot Noir Hautes Côtes de Beaune Domaine Henri Delagrange 2011Our price: £14.60Domaine Henri Delagrange family estate, headed at present by Didier Delagrange, is located in the Volnay area of Côte de Beaune. The 14.5 hectare site has seen wine production at the hands of the Delagrange family for more than 6 generations, and over the years the Domaine has successfully preserved many of the traditional methods which have given the estate its name as one of the best producers of high quality Burgundy wines. Despite now having integrated a number of more modern wine-making methods, Delagrange maintain their mission statement to produce traditional wines that are “fleshy, round, rich in fruit and bursting with finesse and elegance.” His Hautes Côtes de Beaune is a straightforward expression of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His flagship wine is undeniably his Volnay Vieilles Vignes: very smooth and velvety with really ripe morello cherry characters, very slightly dusty tannins and a long complex finish.
Pommard 'Les Vaumuriens Hauts' Domaine Henri Delagrange 2009Our price: £27.85Domaine Henri Delagrange family estate, headed at present by Didier Delagrange, is located in the Volnay area of Côte de Beaune. The 14.5 hectare site has seen wine production at the hands of the Delagrange family for more than 6 generations, and over the years the Domaine has successfully preserved many of the traditional methods which have given the estate its name as one of the best producers of high quality Burgundy wines. Despite now having integrated a number of more modern wine-making methods, Delagrange maintain their mission statement to produce traditional wines that are “fleshy, round, rich in fruit and bursting with finesse and elegance.” His Hautes Côtes de Beaune is a straightforward expression of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His flagship wine is undeniably his Volnay Vieilles Vignes: very smooth and velvety with really ripe morello cherry characters, very slightly dusty tannins and a long complex finish.
Pouilly Fuissé Domaine Cornin 2011Our price: £18.60Situated in the very south of the region, Domaine Cornin is a 10 hectare, family run estate centred in the village of Chaintre. The entire Domaine is farmed following Biodynamic principles, with the Cornin family, notably head winemaker Yannick, making very conscious attempts throughout their production process to leave as small as carbon footprint as possible. For more than a decade now, their land has also been cultivated without the use of chemical herbicides, in an attempt to produce healthy, and importantly, natural grapes, which in turn produce stunning wines.
Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Clos de la Pucelle' Monopole Domaine Jean Chartron 2008Our price: £69.90It was Jean- Edouard Dupard who, in his role as mayor of Puligny in 1873, sought the necessary right to add the suffix ‘Montrachet’ to the town’s name in homage to the regions famed local produce. It was also Dupard who founded Domaine Chartron, and thus this particular producer has a history that is closely linked with the rest of the Burgundy region. Nowadays, Jean-Michel Chartron is the incumbent of the Domaine, cultivating vineyards that offer a limited number of vine varieties. Working with mainly Pinot noir and Chardonnay, Jean-Michel admits that the subtle diversities in the soil must be acknowledged in order to produce the excellent Burgundy wines that are to be expected from a Domaine with such an illustrious history
Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Vieilles Vignes' Domaine Jean Chartron 2007Our price: £54.60It was Jean- Edouard Dupard who, in his role as mayor of Puligny in 1873, sought the necessary right to add the suffix ‘Montrachet’ to the town’s name in homage to the regions famed local produce. It was also Dupard who founded Domaine Chartron, and thus this particular producer has a history that is closely linked with the rest of the Burgundy region. Nowadays, Jean-Michel Chartron is the incumbent of the Domaine, cultivating vineyards that offer a limited number of vine varieties. Working with mainly Pinot noir and Chardonnay, Jean-Michel admits that the subtle diversities in the soil must be acknowledged in order to produce the excellent Burgundy wines that are to be expected from a Domaine with such an illustrious history
Puligny-Montrachet Villages Domaine Jean Chartron 2010Our price: £41.25It was Jean- Edouard Dupard who, in his role as mayor of Puligny in 1873, sought the necessary right to add the suffix ‘Montrachet’ to the town’s name in homage to the regions famed local produce. It was also Dupard who founded Domaine Chartron, and thus this particular producer has a history that is closely linked with the rest of the Burgundy region. Nowadays, Jean-Michel Chartron is the incumbent of the Domaine, cultivating vineyards that offer a limited number of vine varieties. Working with mainly Pinot noir and Chardonnay, Jean-Michel admits that the subtle diversities in the soil must be acknowledged in order to produce the excellent Burgundy wines that are to be expected from a Domaine with such an illustrious history
Rully 'Montmorin' Domaine Jean Chartron 2010Our price: £20.45It was Jean- Edouard Dupard who, in his role as mayor of Puligny in 1873, sought the necessary right to add the suffix ‘Montrachet’ to the town’s name in homage to the regions famed local produce. It was also Dupard who founded Domaine Chartron, and thus this particular producer has a history that is closely linked with the rest of the Burgundy region. Nowadays, Jean-Michel Chartron is the incumbent of the Domaine, cultivating vineyards that offer a limited number of vine varieties. Working with mainly Pinot noir and Chardonnay, Jean-Michel admits that the subtle diversities in the soil must be acknowledged in order to produce the excellent Burgundy wines that are to be expected from a Domaine with such an illustrious history
Saint Veran "Les Mandeliers" Domaine Arnaud Combier 2011, OrganicOur price: £16.30 A very pure style of unoaked Chardonnay with a delicate nose of yellow apples releasing into a beautifully crisp palate with notes of almond-butter and citrus. The butter-cream notes of the malo which are more evident when the wine is initially opened become integrated into lovely lemon curd flavours after time.
Saint Veran, Domaine de la Croix Senaillet, 2010Our price: £13.85Located in Davayé, in the south of the region, Domaine de la Croix Senaillet is quite literally surrounded by history, tucked away at the foot of the famed rock formations of Solutré. The estate, unlike its prehistoric backdrop, has undergone a sea of changes in recent years, namely since brothers Richard and Stephane Martin took over the running of the Domaine in 1992, and has recently been proclaimed fully organic. Previously, their father Maurice had controlled proceedings, but after his retirement, the new co-owners implemented a series of changes that saw Domaine de la Croix Senaillet rise steadily among the ranks of quality Burgundy producers. The key alteration was the decision to expand; in the last 20 years Richard and Stephane have grown the vineyard from 6.5 hectares to 25! A more recent series of changes has rendered the estate fully organic, as every aspect of the production process was scrutinised from vine to bottle in an effort to improve the quality of their wines – a campaign which has undoubtedly proved most successful.
St Aubin 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes Domaine Larue 2010Our price: £26.90Located in the well-known Côte des Blancs district, Domaine Larue spans 15 hectares from the family home in Saint-Aubin to Puligny Montrachet. Brothers Denis and Didier, along with Denis’ son Bruno are responsible for working the land, each having their own specific responsibilities in the wine-making process, while Didier also shoulders the additional burden of the commercialisation of their products. Similarly to many Domaine’s in Burgundy, the Larue mantra centres on respect for the terroirs and the age-old practises that have always been present in the traditional wine-making processes of the region.
St Véran “Les Mandeliers” Domaine Arnaud Combier, 2011Our price: £16.30The winery is situated in the village of Pierreclos whilst the vines for the Saint Véran are planted in the commune of Prissé. Arnaud Combier studied viticulture and winemaking for four years at Beaune, then worked in different vineyards, such as Domaine Valette at Chaintré, and Domaine Colbois at Chablis, before taking over the vines from his grandparents in 1999, at which point the vineyard was associated to the cooperative. Arnaud withdrew from the cooperative in 2003, so that he could produce his wines under his own name. The estate is in its 2nd year of conversion to organic farming (Ecocert label). Everything is done by hand and no chemicals are used in the vineyard. Vinification is with wild yeasts and there is a natural malolactic in tank. With just a light filtration, no fining and a very small sulphur addition this is naked, terroir-driven Chardonnay.
Volnay 1er Cru 'Clos des Chênes' Domaine Henri Delagrange 2009Our price: £41.75Domaine Henri Delagrange family estate, headed at present by Didier Delagrange, is located in the Volnay area of Côte de Beaune. The 14.5 hectare site has seen wine production at the hands of the Delagrange family for more than 6 generations, and over the years the Domaine has successfully preserved many of the traditional methods which have given the estate its name as one of the best producers of high quality Burgundy wines. Despite now having integrated a number of more modern wine-making methods, Delagrange maintain their mission statement to produce traditional wines that are “fleshy, round, rich in fruit and bursting with finesse and elegance.” His Hautes Côtes de Beaune is a straightforward expression of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His flagship wine is undeniably his Volnay Vieilles Vignes: very smooth and velvety with really ripe morello cherry characters, very slightly dusty tannins and a long complex finish.
Volnay Vieilles Vignes Domaine Henri Delagrange 2010Our price: £25.95Domaine Henri Delagrange family estate, headed at present by Didier Delagrange, is located in the Volnay area of Côte de Beaune. The 14.5 hectare site has seen wine production at the hands of the Delagrange family for more than 6 generations, and over the years the Domaine has successfully preserved many of the traditional methods which have given the estate its name as one of the best producers of high quality Burgundy wines. Despite now having integrated a number of more modern wine-making methods, Delagrange maintain their mission statement to produce traditional wines that are “fleshy, round, rich in fruit and bursting with finesse and elegance.” His Hautes Côtes de Beaune is a straightforward expression of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His flagship wine is undeniably his Volnay Vieilles Vignes: very smooth and velvety with really ripe morello cherry characters, very slightly dusty tannins and a long complex finish.
Vosne Romanée 1er Cru 'En Orveaux' Domaine Guyon 2006Our price: £75.85Brothers Jean Pierre and Michel Guyon own eight hectares of vineyard and make their wine in a state-of-the-art Chai under their house.
Vosne Romanée Domaine Daniel Rion 2008Our price: £39.30Domaine Rion is definitely one of Nuits St. Georges’ key producers. Founded by their father Daniel, the Domaine is now run by Olivier and Christophe and consists of 18 hectares. They both believe in minimal intervention in the winery, using a combination of modern techniques and traditional practices learned from their father. Nuits St. Georges is a typical village of the Cote de Nuits appellation and this wine shows power, strength and great masculine characters.
