Côte de Beaune 2018

From vines planted in 1952 and as far back as 1896. One of the bargains of our range, with grippy tannins, loads of minerality, and a finish that last minutes. This is way more complex than the price suggests.

Made in honour Nico’s mother, this is a blend of grapes from premier crus across the Beaune vignoble. Savoury on the palate, with mineral tannins and iron oxide, the fruit is dark and impressive. This will age spectacularly.

This vineyard lies up the hill in Vosne. Spicy and lifted, it’s intense and powerful but retaining focus and delicacy. There’s a pretty wild flower note on the finish.

Comes from vines planted in the 1930s. Savigny is a huge success in 2018. Salty tannins and pure berry fruit, with plenty of spice and a long and focussed finish. Beautiful.

Nicolas sees his (increasing) holdings in the Côte de Nuits-Villages as the future of his domaine, where prices aren’t as high, yet the quality of terroir can be outstanding. This is lifted; a great example in 2018 and one to stock up on.

Richebourg is always Richebourg. Power yet delicacy, with a complex finish that lasts for minutes. Always a privilege to taste this great vineyard.

Powerful and brooding today, Nico’s source for his Chambertin is always peerless. This is spectacular and unfurling. But needs a long time.

Opulence on the nose, with notes of pot pourri and indian spices. There’s plush dark berries, and lovely texture, too.

Malconsorts is the star among Vosne’s premier cru vineyards, and this is a great example of why. Spicy and powerful, it’s so intense today. This needs time: with it, it will be great.

Spicy and floral, with notes of violets and cumin. The palate has delicacy, but it grows on the finish. A lesson in understated power, the finish goes on and on.

Very focussed and floral, delicate and nice purity. From Puligny vineyards, there are crunchy apples, texture and just a hint of clove on the finish.

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.

Easternmost part of the Corton Charlemagne vineyard. No afternoon sun allows freshness to be maintained.There’s real intensity here, with notes of fresh hazelnuts, silky fruit, and minerality that grows in the palate. This is a really thrilling wine.

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.

Le Cailleret abuts Montrachet on the Puligny side. From 70 year old and 65 year old vines. Intense and smoky reduction, plenty of small fruit, and outstanding energy. There’s a sense of focus here, with silky acidity, fine delicacy, and a finish that lasts for ages. Outstanding.

From Narvaux, Casse Têtes, and Petits Charrons, three of Meursault’s best village sites. There’s a nice creaminess here, but with stony focus, and a really mineral, iodine-driven finish. A lovely balance of Meursault fat and focus.

A négociant bottling from a purchase of grapes, this is a brilliant wine from the Côte Chalonnaise. It’s got a lovely creamy, fresh, lifted palate, and loads of vibrancy too. Just a joy to taste - not to be overlooked

Really mineral and focussed on the nose. Cool and citrus, with plenty of fine energy, there’s finesse here, with salty tang and plenty of definition.

Really mineral and focussed on the nose. Cool and citrus, with plenty of fine energy, there’s finesse here, with salty tang and plenty of definition.

Really mineral and focussed on the nose. Cool and citrus, with plenty of fine energy, there’s finesse here, with salty tang and plenty of definition.

Easternmost part of the Corton Charlemagne vineyard. No afternoon sun allows freshness to be maintained.There’s real intensity here, with notes of fresh hazelnuts, silky fruit, and minerality that grows in the palate. This is a really thrilling wine.

Easternmost part of the Corton Charlemagne vineyard. No afternoon sun allows freshness to be maintained.There’s real intensity here, with notes of fresh hazelnuts, silky fruit, and minerality that grows in the palate. This is a really thrilling wine.

This premier cru is high up on the hill in Beaune, where the poor soils give the wine life. Beautiful delicate small fruit, grapefruit and fresh apples. Salty and fresh, with a hint of ginger, and a really long finish. A very pretty premier cru.

Very focussed and floral, delicate and nice purity. From Puligny vineyards, there are crunchy apples, texture and just a hint of clove on the finish.

Poruzots is a premier cru in the heart of the Meursault hillside. Quite ripe on the nose, plenty of peaches and pink grapefruit, orange blossom, with excellent definition of fruit. Really delicious and long, but needs time to come fully together.

Le Cailleret abuts Montrachet on the Puligny side. From 70 year old and 65 year old vines. Intense and smoky reduction, plenty of small fruit, and outstanding energy. There’s a sense of focus here, with silky acidity, fine delicacy, and a finish that lasts for ages. Outstanding.

Le Cailleret abuts Montrachet on the Puligny side. From 70 year old and 65 year old vines. Intense and smoky reduction, plenty of small fruit, and outstanding energy. There’s a sense of focus here, with silky acidity, fine delicacy, and a finish that lasts for ages. Outstanding.

At the bottom of the Rugiens vineyard, this is our baby Rugiens. Juicy and pure, with iron oxide and nervy acidity. Plenty of blood orange, and a juicy and savoury finish. Complex and impressive.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Oldest vines here are about 40 years old. Beautiful nose, delicate berries and a touch of floral character, with plenty of salinity here. This is fine and long: it punches so far above its weight.

Oldest vines here are about 40 years old. Beautiful nose, delicate berries and a touch of floral character, with plenty of salinity here. This is fine and long: it punches so far above its weight.

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.

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.

Still includes the parcel that Hubert had in Volnay, as well as a couple of newer ones opposite Château de Puligny, Etienne’s home. Delicious, fragrant, and very pure, this is a simply brilliant and crunchy Bourgogne Rouge.

Still includes the parcel that Hubert had in Volnay, as well as a couple of newer ones opposite Château de Puligny, Etienne’s home. Delicious, fragrant, and very pure, this is a simply brilliant and crunchy Bourgogne Rouge.

Les Rugiens-Bas has long been a candidate for elevation to Grand Cru status, and was Hubert’s favourite wine. Very pure, and lovely nervous energy, amazing texture, serious earthy notes, dark berry fruit, and such a sense of nobility and focus. Iron oxide and great energy – outstanding.

Les Rugiens-Bas has long been a candidate for elevation to Grand Cru status, and was Hubert’s favourite wine. Very pure, and lovely nervous energy, amazing texture, serious earthy notes, dark berry fruit, and such a sense of nobility and focus. Iron oxide and great energy – outstanding.

Les Rugiens-Bas has long been a candidate for elevation to Grand Cru status, and was Hubert’s favourite wine. Very pure, and lovely nervous energy, amazing texture, serious earthy notes, dark berry fruit, and such a sense of nobility and focus. Iron oxide and great energy – outstanding.Les Rugiens-Bas has long been a candidate for elevation to Grand Cru status, and was Hubert’s favourite wine. Very pure, and lovely nervous energy, amazing texture, serious earthy notes, dark berry fruit, and such a sense of nobility and focus. Iron oxide and great energy – outstanding.

Pézerolles is the perfect introduction to Pommard, from a limestone vineyard really near the border with Beaune. Nice wild dark fruit, mulberries, and plenty of silky cherries. And excellent length, that’s very saline and very pure. Nice herbal, spearmint character.

Pézerolles is the perfect introduction to Pommard, from a limestone vineyard really near the border with Beaune. Nice wild dark fruit, mulberries, and plenty of silky cherries. And excellent length, that’s very saline and very pure. Nice herbal, spearmint character.

Pézerolles is the perfect introduction to Pommard, from a limestone vineyard really near the border with Beaune. Nice wild dark fruit, mulberries, and plenty of silky cherries. And excellent length, that’s very saline and very pure. Nice herbal, spearmint character.

Arguably the vineyard for which the De Montille family are best known, made from sixty year old vines. Beautiful nose, very nervy, silky and fine. Salty and pure, and focussed on the finish. Beautiful tannins, supple and then plenty of density.

Arguably the vineyard for which the De Montille family are best known, made from sixty year old vines. Beautiful nose, very nervy, silky and fine. Salty and pure, and focussed on the finish. Beautiful tannins, supple and then plenty of density.

Arguably the vineyard for which the De Montille family are best known, made from sixty year old vines. Beautiful nose, very nervy, silky and fine. Salty and pure, and focussed on the finish. Beautiful tannins, supple and then plenty of density.

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.

Perhaps best known in the hands of Drouhin, Chanson also make a standout Clos des Mouches. Notes of lemon oil and quince, with a real brightness to the fruit. Nervy and long.

So fine and lemon oil, delicate and floral with so much purity. Very saline and driven, with plenty of energy and nice concentration of citrus. Very well put together: again an absolute belter, and awesome value for money.

Nice lemon oil, floral nose. Plenty of elegance here: it’s crunchy apples and pears, with lovely energy and finesse. So delicious and floral, but saline too. Beautiful energy, and excellent length. Once again, it’s brilliant.

Very floral on the nose. Quite delicate and fine, with plenty of balance, and great length. Very mineral, saline and tangy on the finish. Very Puligny, with excellent balance.

Very floral and pure on the nose, sea spray and wild flowers. There’s very fine acidity with conference pears and lovely purity. Really nice integration, beautiful balance and lovely length and elegance. Very Chassagne, it’s focussed and driven with elegance.

They only made two barrels in 2018. Intense, soaring aromatics and amazing purity here; so much lemon oil, grapefruit, oyster shell and weight on the palate. This is spectacular: flavours unfurl, great intensity and balance, and so much purity. Very finely judged, and very long.

Just three barrels made. Very good energy, mineral and lifted, plenty of depth of flavour. I like the purity here, it’s very fine and saline, and there’s tons of definition. So long and silky, and so precise. Brilliant.

This Puligny-based producer makes a superb Meursault from this steep site, tucked up in the cooler part of the village. The chalky soils make for a racy wine, typical of the Olivier Leflaive style, but with the breadth and savoury weight of classic Meursault.

Quite reticent on the nose, though the potential is obvious. Really nice texture, with loads of salinity, orange blossom and length. It’s a bit of a baby, but is clearly Premier Cru quality. Nicely focussed, but also with concentration.

From Sous le Château and Poullange. Floral and crunchy on the nose, with lovely acacia blossom and fresh pears. Nice mealy character, and plenty of citrus on the palate, with sea spray and oyster shell. Textured and lively.

Quite closed on the nose. But on the palate you feel that rippling energy, with plenty of citrus fruit, saline minerality, and tons of depth, too. This is brilliant, with such good definition.

80% of the wine comes from Bonneveaux, one of the best sites in Montagny, with the rest from Coeres, and a touch of Perrieres. Nice texture and finesse, pretty pure and juicy with lovely energy, too. Very saline and silky, and excellent juicy finish. Not overripe, just lovely balance.

80% of the wine comes from Bonneveaux, one of the best sites in Montagny, with the rest from Coeres, and a touch of Perrieres. Nice texture and finesse, pretty pure and juicy with lovely energy, too. Very saline and silky, and excellent juicy finish. Not overripe, just lovely balance.

Nice lemon oil, floral nose. Plenty of elegance here: it’s crunchy apples and pears, with lovely energy and finesse. So delicious and floral, but saline too. Beautiful energy, and excellent length. Once again, it’s brilliant.

A blend of Les Casses Têtes with Les Murgers de Monthélie, bottled that way since 1996. Floral and fruit, with precision but also richness. Very linear on the long, mouthwatering finish.

From vineyards in the communes of Meursault and Puligny, this remains one of the benchmarks for Bourgogne. Very driven and phenolic, there’s orange blossom and lemon oil, and lovely length, too.

This cuvée is predominantly taken from the hillside vineyard Les Clous, with a touch of Les Crotots from the bottom of the hill for intensity, as such since 2004. Delicate on the nose, and plenty of purity. There’s rich fruit, with greengage and seville oranges, but also focus and texture.

From a south-facing site called Les Pougets, in the commune of Aloxe-Corton, they’ve just 0.17 hectare here. This unfurls on the palate with notes of citrus and crème patissière. Very long, savoury, and impressive.

From a vineyard high up the slope, with very little soil. This has notes of sea spray and grapefruit, and plenty of stony minerality on the finish. Very driven.