Côte de Beaune 2018

Very floral on the nose, with wild violets and also strawberries and raspberries. This shows the warmth of the vintage, but with real charm. If Savigny can sometimes be austere and rustic, this is the antidote.

Always one of our favourite wines here, the Bressandes is a masterpiece in 2018. Incredibly dark with cherries and flowers, and a mineral tang here. This is so complex and pure.

Incredibly charming in 2018, this has juicy fruits, with cherries and also a hint of wild herbs. Very finely balanced, with a juiciness, and a very long finish.

From a blend of two parcels in the centre of the appellation, Les Grands Champs and Les Famines. This is bright and juicy, with crushed raspberries on the nose and the village’s supple elegance on the palate. It has smooth, silky tannins and a long, pure finish. Always one of the most charming wines in the Comte Armand cellar, the 2018 has all elements in perfect balance.

This comes from a blend of two vineyards in Auxey: Les Bréterins and Bas des Duresses. One is clay-based and the other chalky. Silky and fine, with salinity and very pure fruit, this remains one of the best value wines we know.

This comes from a blend of two vineyards in Auxey: Les Bréterins and Bas des Duresses. One is clay-based and the other chalky. Silky and fine, with salinity and very pure fruit, this remains one of the best value wines we know.

The very oldest vines in Le Clos were planted in 1919, and the vines considered young are over 35 years old. This is an astonishing Clos. Paul has maintained freshness and purity, with amazing depth and intensity. This remains one of Burgundy’s greatest wines (and its greatest buys).

The very oldest vines in Le Clos were planted in 1919, and the vines considered young are over 35 years old. This is an astonishing Clos. Paul has maintained freshness and purity, with amazing depth and intensity. This remains one of Burgundy’s greatest wines (and its greatest buys).

In the very heart of the village of Santenay, surrounded by premiers crus, a 19th century owner of this vineyard, M. Duvault-Blochet, also owned Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. With 50% whole bunch, this is crunchy and very saline, with a beautifully creamy finish. There’s lovely fruit here. A red not to be missed.

Historically known as a village for reds, Chassagne can still be home to some of the Côte de Beaune’s Pinot Noir gems. Here the vines are 100+ years old, Dark fruit and lavender on the nose, it’s very expressive. Really cool fruit, and smoky and earthy, this is one you simply have to try.

A monopole of the Lafarge family - the 0.57 hectares are entirely under their ownership, produced as an individual wine since 1985. It’s hand destemmed, taking 35 hours for just 3000 bottles. This is Grand Cru in all but name. Noble, fresh, long, voluminous, complex, stunning. There’s not much more to say.

Made from a selection at the time of harvest, this treads the line between village and premier cru. It comes from four different terroirs at the heart of the village, with more deeper, darker fruit than the normal Volnay. The plethora of limestone in this part of the village gives incredible purity and energy. One for the ages.

A celebrated premier cru up the slope in Nuits. This is elegant and lifted, with Nuits minerality and plenty of crunchy dark fruit. Long and savoury: Nuits intensity with Vosne elegance.

Les Suchots is one of Vosne’s greatest vineyards, situated on the line of Grands Crus. Vines planted in 1937. Power and volume here, but not lacking focus on the palate. It’s a brilliant example of a brilliant vineyard.

From vines planted in 1927, between Echézeaux and Clos de Vougeot, this might be the best placed village vineyard on the Côte de Nuits. And this shows in the quality here. Intense and structured, with beautiful energy: outstanding.

Lifted and fragrant, with perfumed fruit and tons of energy. There’s a density here, with plenty of crunchy berries and a long finish. The benchmark for everyday drinking.

When he purchased his Malconsorts parcel in 2005, Etienne separated the section of the vineyard that forms a small enclave within the grand cru La Tâche, and decided to bottle it separately, naming it after his mother. Inky and voluminous, this is remarkable. A lesson in balance of power, concentration, and finesse. It lasts an age.

In 2005 Etienne managed to buy 1.37 hectares of the prized Les Malconsorts vineyard in Vosne. Spice and mineral, there’s vibrancy and intense yet surprisingly cool fruit here. Delicate and incredibly well balanced, one of the best Malconsorts you’ll find.

In 2005 Etienne managed to buy 1.37 hectares of the prized Les Malconsorts vineyard in Vosne. Spice and mineral, there’s vibrancy and intense yet surprisingly cool fruit here. Delicate and incredibly well balanced, one of the best Malconsorts you’ll find.

Probably the finest Beaune vineyard, in the 19th century it was seen as a Tête de Cuvée, the top level of the côte’s wines. Two thirds of the vines here are over 55-60 years old. Saline and impressively deep and textured fruit, this is always one of our favourite wines here. Overlooked at your peril.

From 50 year old vines. Lovely herbal character, and those grippy tannins. Excellent length and finesse, good juice and dark fruit alongside red berries. Corton is a huge success in 2018.

De Montille hold just 0.29 hectares of this sprawling grand cru. Spicy and opulent, such energy and wonderful depth and darkness of fruit. Nice bitterness here, plenty of lively fruit, with finesse and texture.

From the middle of the slope, from vines 45 years old which Brian says act like they’re 75 years old, given how little fruit they yield. This is a wonderfully fragrant, energetic Volnay, that shows the best of this stunning village.

The feather in the cap, the monopole of the estate. Unfurling and layered, notes of chalk and wild flowers, and blood orange. Raspberry essence swirls with perfectly balanced tannins. Bravo.

The baby Fèves, this remains one of Burgundy’s best buys - particularly in a vintage like 2018. Finesse and structure, and really feel the limestone. Nervy and long, and surprisingly expressive. Brilliant for the price.