Côte de Beaune 2021: New Releases

The fruit for this blend in 2021 comes from 75% Puligny and 25% Meursault. In spite of their Bourgogne classification, these sites are high quality, knocking on the door of village level, with shallow topsoil and lots of small stones, aiding drainage. It is a Bourgogne full of lemony freshness, delicious energy and enough salinity and grippiness in the finish that makes you want to continue drinking it! It remains a benchmark of the style.

Vignes Franches lies right in the middle of the Beaune Premiers Crus, bordering Clos des Mouches among several others. The third vintage for this cuvée, it has attractive cherry fruit aromas with an interesting herbal note. There is an elegance and depth to the crunchy, cherry fruit on the palate and a very fine and long saline finish.

The origin of the word "Cras" comes from "rocky hillsides", a term often used to describe a vineyard whose soil is made of rubble and pebbly stones. This parcel's soil is gravelly with a high quality red clay that is very typical of Pommard. Pretty cherry and wild raspberry fruit combine with rose petal on the nose. The fruit continues to sing on the palate and is juicy, sappy and generous with a long, mineral finish. This is lovely.

This is one of Meursault’s finest vineyards, shared amongst some of its greatest growers. Jean-Baptiste owns a 1.5 hectare parcel. Reaching this wine in the tasting marked a gear change - this has so much elegance, texture, precision and length. Outstanding.

This is one of the gems on our list: it may be village on paper, but this exceptionally well-placed parcel - an east-facing limestone vineyard that extends just beyond the band of premiers crus - delivers well beyond its status in the glass. In 2021, it has both spicy and floral notes on the nose, a thrilling peachy definition and that great Meursault structure - plenty of ripeness combined with great energy and salinity on the finish.

You can really feel the character of the poor stony soil found in Puligny here with its floral delicacy and racy edge. It has a piercing intensity accompanied by a tenderness of fruit on the finish, so enticing, with a lacy structure and wonderful definition.