Côte de Nuits 2021: New Releases

Clos de Vougeot might be a grand cru, but in the wrong hands it can be ungainly and heavy. In the hands of the Grivots, however, it is a finely woven, detailed and poised wine with beautiful power and length. Rose petal and violets perfume the nose, with a little tobacco spice and pepper on the palate spicing up the ripe red berry fruit. Sweetly tender, but also so powerful, with nicely detailed tannins. This has fantastic ageing potential.

Aux Lavières is tucked just beneath 1er Cru Aux Murgers, on the Vosne side of the appellation, and it’s quite a step up on your regular village cuvée. This 2021 shows elegance, energy and density. Excellent grip and saline length. This is delicious now, yet is sure to age wonderfully.

This is a brilliant 2021: pure, concentrated, and energetic. It has a beautiful nose of fresh rose petal, cherry and plum combining. An ample body, and smooth, supple tannins with just a little grip at the back. The depth of fruit and length of finish are equally impressive. Bravo.

This wine has earned a strong following for its superb quality, and will no doubt sell out quickly on release. It is a cuvee that Etienne is particularly proud of in 2021. It is sophisticated yet broody, with a lavish and sumptuous freshness, and a complex profile of rose petal, dried herbs, dark berries and smoke. The tannins are so silky and seductive. It finishes with a gorgeous length, lingering with aromatic beauty long after you have sipped it.

Unlike some Côteaux Bourguignons which are a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir, this is 100% Gamay, from a parcel of very old vines (60-70 years old) the Grivots inherited via the Jayers, one of whom was married to Etienne’s father. Wild red cherry with a slight gamey note on the nose. The palate is nicely balanced and focussed with lively acidity and plenty of juicy red berry fruit.

This is a blend of twelve different parcels across the village, resulting in a wonderfully complete and complex village wine. It has all the requisite fruit and attractive pinot aromas in place for a good Vosne, and such silky tannins, marking it out as one of the best this year.

This is perennially one of the most in-demand wines in Burgundy. It is truly grand cru in stature in 2021. Profound, so complex, with supreme and elegant length. Breathtaking.

This is always one of the prettiest in the Grivot cellar, and in 2021, a great year for Chambolle, it has the structure and concentration to age gracefully. There is a sweet balance between the tannins and fruit, with fresh acidity, great concentration and elegant body. Attractive and enticing.

Beaux Monts is always one of the most impressive wines from this cellar. It is a beautiful vineyard in Vosne, and one of Etienne’s personal favourites. Just five barrels were made of Beaux Monts, as opposed to 16 in 2022. It is vibrant and attractive, with beautifully constructed tannins. The length of the saline finish is impressive. It is a wine of tremendous finesse already, but also one that promises much more in the years to come.