Côte de Nuits 2021: New Releases

This is undoubtedly one of the greatest premier cru sites in the Côte de Nuits. Clos Frantin are the proud owners of 1.75 hectares.

A village Vosne from one of the commune's historic names, who benefit from brilliantly placed vines. They have vines in Les Damaudes and Maizières, at either side of the village, bringing very different characters to the wines.

A wine we've backed for years now, from a single vineyard in the Hautes Cotes. This shows good ripeness but yet still excellent intensity of fruit. There's a nice lift on the finish: a brilliant example from the Hautes-Cotes.

Lots of mineral depth here, and there's also plenty of energy on the palate. There's a lovely density here - with notes of wild flowers and also darker frtui.

The 2021 Monts Luisants, from one of Morey's most celebrated vineyards, is lovely in 2021. Lots of whole bunch spice, and there's a fragrance and purity here, too. Very nicely balanced.

Frankly, this is utterly gorgeous, a wine of such charm and weight, a nice little touch of acidity. This has major staying power, what’s not to like! Wonderful length and class here.

This is made from 40 year old vines from Morey, Chambolle and Vougeot. OKA is the name of one of the Arlaud draught horses. This cuvée is matured for 18 months with only 25% new oak. Intense notes of red fruits, raspberries. Delicate and silky on the palate, with a long, fine finish.

In Aux Allots we find the domaine’s oldest vines, though how old precisely is unknown. The family bought the vineyard which sits on the Vosne-Romaéee side of the village in 1969. It had been planted long before then, although the exact date has been lost to history. This wine has an enthralling depth of berry fruit, with a minty lift on the nose, and just a hint of licorice adding a further dimension. Textural and complex, this is an outstanding Nuits-St-Georges.

This is a flagship wine of the domaine, and at two hectares represents around a third of production. It’s an incredibly steep site just above Les Vaucrains which had been abandoned since the phylloxera crisis until Bertrand terraced and planted it in 2001. There is slightly darker, fuller fruit than that found in the 2019, but with the brightness of acidity it feels balanced and very complete, unforced and charming.

Bruno Clair has an impressive 10 hectares in his home village of Marsannay. He bottles five separate cuvées, including this wonderful iteration from a single parcel at the southern end of the commune, on the slope that rises up behind the village. Its name (meaning “fat heads”) refers not to anybody involved in its cultivation, but rather the large rocks that show through the surface of the clay soil. It is typically the most structured and powerful of the Clair Marsannays, and in 2021 it is muscular and tightly coiled, reminiscent of Gevrey-Chambertin. It has fantastic fruit concentration, and with the structure and freshness to age wonderfully. This is quintessential Marsannay, and quintessential Clair.

This remarkable village lieu-dit sits directly above Bonnes Mares, Clos de Tart, and Clos des Lambrays. The Clair parcel is situated just above their Bonnes Mares parcel. It’s hard to believe this isn’t a premier cru. Up here there is virtually no top soil at all, and the vines plunge straight into the limestone bedrock. Arthur uses up to 30% whole bunch on the young vine parcel, which he vinifies separately from the older vines, blending later to build layers of complexity. It has a fresh red fruit aroma - cherries and wild strawberries - with tightly-coiled tannins giving the palate a nervous yet bright energy. Superb.

This clos is a monopole of the domaine found right at the centre point of Gevrey, between the grand cru slope and the Combe de Lavaux. The wine has an incredible concentration expressed with exquisite finesse. This is absolutely delicious, with red-fruit power, fine tannins and mineral length. Clos du Fonteny is always one of Bruno’s personal favourites.

A true Morey grower, it's no surprise that the example here is a real benchmark.

Pierre has just 0.4 hectares in Charmes-Chambertin, which is divided into five separate parcels, two of which are on the border with Griotte-Chambertin, on more stony soils.

The fresh, vibrant palate is vivid and tensile, offering slightly chalky tannin and crunchy red fruit. This has a beautiful, elegant structure and wonderful density and saline drive on the finish. Excellent.

This comes from 65 year old vines, which makes for a wine of spicy, seductive, dark-fruited purity. Archetypal Chambolle-Musigny.

Les Fuées enjoys a wonderful position: just alongside Bonnes Mares, and as a result is one of the most sought-out crus in the village. Pretty and layered.

This monopole grand cru in the heart of Vosne-Romanée between two Domaine de la Romanée-Conti monopoles - La Tâche and La Romanée-Conti - is the flagship wine of the estate. It is like a basket full of freshly picked strawberries and raspberries. The palate, although it displays this gorgeous summer fruit element, is almost so much more complex than that, with silky, refined tannins, subtle smoky notes and savoury acidity. Extraordinary length, extraordinary wine.

This might just be the best village Vosne out there. It comes from four parcels which host a variety of vine ages. The relatively high proportion of younger vines gives this cuvée an vibrant, juicy structure. It is refined, mineral and beautiful with supple, fine tannins, and fresh high-acid fruit.

Mugneret-Gibourg has just one parcel within this sizable grand cru, planted in 1954, just next to the château. It is one of the finest examples of the vineyard, with depth, elegance, structure, and complexity, dark cherry fruit and a full-bodied, mineral length. Effortlessly superb.

This well-positioned vineyard on the Vosne side of the appellation sits on the slope, enjoying plenty of sunshine and the cooling ventilation of a constant breeze, keeping the fruit in excellent health during the growing season. Impressive fruit on show, brimming with fresh plum and damson, the tannins are fine-grained, mineral and chalky. Lots of elegant depth here and a wonderfully long finish.

This wonderful parcel sits just beneath the cluster of houses in the village centre. It makes such a floral, elegant and long wine in 2021, with a brilliantly deep fruit core. Perfumed and spiced, with great mineral tension.

A negociant wine, this has a lovely tannic structure, alongside the generosity of the vintage.

So much more complex, long, and silky than a normal village wine, this shows Maxime's mastery of Pinot Noir, and his home village.

This comes from an astonishing 18 different parcels, many in the vineyards facing Chambolle-Musigny.

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 single vineyard Côtes de Nuits-Village wine is a firm Lay & Wheeler favourite. In 2021 it has an elegant frame, built around aromatic, ripe red cherry fruit. The palate has a straight and incisive mineral line, giving it wonderful freshness. This outplays many wines from grander communes every year, and 2021 is no exception.

Alix’s Echézeaux is a blend of three plots across the grand cru. It shows an incredible level of concentration, elegance and finesse in 2021, with kirsch, rose petal, spice, and black tea all vying for attention. The supple, fine-grained tannins give it magnificent structure.

This large seven hectare vineyard in the hills above Nuits-St-Georges has wonderful limestone soils, quite similar to those found on the hill of Corton, though with a much fresher climate, thanks to its elevation. The vines were planted in the 1970s and 1980s, and at full maturity are producing great concentration, and some interesting and complex layers in the wine. It is expressively concentrated, with linear acidity and some power behind the tannin to sustain a long, mineral finish.

This vineyard is a monopole of the estate which has been in the hands of the family since 1860. Where the Brûlées is firm and structured, Clos de Réas is more lithe, mineral and supple, with a sophisticated flavour palette of blood oranges, crushed raspberries, ripe damson and fresh rosemary. It is both luxurious and refined.

This premier cru neighbours Richebourg, and has a lot of limestone on the soil. This gives the wine pretty red fruit definition and drive on the palate. As ever, it is quite structured wine, with good stature promising ageing potential. But there is also Vosne’s classic velvet, silky power in the fruit, matched with some toasty oak.

The Nuits Vieilles Vignes has temporarily lost its Aux Barrières component, replaced this year by the very well-situated Les Longecourts, which is just below Les St-Georges. A heady nose of griotte cherry, with excellent concentration and a deft balance.The wine feels so beautifully smooth, with a lovely deep core of sweet fruit. Classic Burgundy through and through.

This vineyard between Chambolle Musigny and Gilly-lès-Citeaux is one of the best parcels of Bourgogne in the Côte de Nuits. Neighbour Ghislaine Barthod’s Bourgogne Rouge is another exceptional example of this vineyard. Attractive red plum and cherry notes delight on the nose, along with a slightly reductive hint. The palate is fresh with a lovely mineral note and packed full of classic, refined red fruit and a long, fine finish. This wine’s purity and elegance is so attractive. Incredible value if you can get some.

This small monopole vineyard sits opposite the cellar, and it’s where the heart of the domaine lies. It’s amazing, but undeniable, that in a line up that contains some of Chambolle and Vosne’s finest sites, this was the highlight of the cellar. It is so complete and composed, with a sensationally long finish. Don’t miss this.

This is the pinnacle of the Ponsot cellar: their most famous and emblematic cuvée, and the one most demanding of time in the cellar. It comes from two parcels: the first is from the Monts Luisants part of the vineyard, which is home to both the oldest (some are over 80 years old) and youngest vines in the blend. The tannins of Monts Luisants are structural and firm, and will gain in tenderness with age. The rest comes from the original Clos de la Roche parcel in the heart of the hillside, which adds expressive fruit to the blend. Less dense on the palate, but with a lithe and silky fruit core, it brings a perfect balance to the finished wine. In all, the cuvée draws from 3.4 hectares, and is vinified in 5 separate tanks. They continue through their élévage as distinct parts, only blended towards the end before bottling.

This comes from the premier cru part of the Monts Luisants parcel. The domaine chooses not to use that name on the label to avoid confusion with their unusual and lauded Aligoté from there. The vines sit just above Clos de la Roche.

Not far from Petite Chapelle, this comes from an almost half a hectare parcel in the Les Epoitures lieu-dit. It was replanted in 2014, so this is the first vintage. Bright yet elegant, red cherry fruit and very fine lacy tannins.

This is a bright and lively, salty and fruity white from the cool, chalky-soiled village of Saint-Romain.

This is the only parcel the domaine bottles separately from the other Gevrey village parcels. That is thanks to its quite incredible situation, and the consistency of quality it delivers every year. It is sandwiched just between grands crus Charmes-Chambertin and Griotte-Chambertin. It’s almost unbelievable it’s only a village lieu-dit. The Rossignol-Trapet vines lie right alongside the Joseph Roty Charmes Vieilles Vignes parcel, but the soil is more like Griotte-Chambertin just to the north. There is just a hint of black fruit depth combined with the red fruit freshness, something reminiscent of cassis and cherries. The tannins are well-formed, offering structure and frame with a slight broodiness, but not imposing too heavily on the fruit. Very fine.

This is one of the most complete Gevrey village wines you will find: multiple parcels scattered around the village which are vinified in three parts. One part comes from the light stony soil at the bottom of the valley, giving a cool elegance; the second is a cluster of parcels in the middle of the village on clay soil, giving body and structure; the third is a group of parcels below the grands crus, giving a complexity and finesse. The vines are all aged between 45 and 85 years, and the concentration and complexity this wine delivers for the price is hard to beat. It is a joyful wine in 2021, with great fresh, wild berry energy and a long dry, mineral finish.

This is one of the best terroirs among Morey’s premiers crus, just below Clos de la Roche. Slightly smoky, with Morey wildness, this is once again one of the most impressive premiers crus we have.

Stéphane’s parcel of 65-year-old vines lie right in the heart of the old Clos, the original part of the appellation. It's everything great red Burgundy should be: understated, complex, and utterly beguiling.

This is the third vintage of this wine in 2021. The vineyards Sébastien took on are now farmed along organic lines. This is a blend of several parcels with vines aged between 10 and 70 years. It is floral, plummy, bright, mineral and charming.

This is the third vintage of this wine in 2021. The 2021 feels fresher and crunchier than the Chaumes with a zingy line of acidity running through the palate, finessed, precise red berry fruit and a long mineral finish.

A fresh, bright, and textured Aligoté from the Hautes-Côtes with a salty bite to the finish. Waxy lemon and pear aromas on the nose. This is the only white in the Cathiard range, and recent purchases mean it will grow in volume in the future.

A new addition to the Cathiard cellar in 2021. This comes from 3 different parcels. It has plenty of rich fruit concentration laced with smoky, toasty notes.

Delicate red fruit on the nose, elegant, fine-boned tanninas and some toasty warmth from a little new oak.

This is the flagship wine of the estate, the one on which its considerable reputation has been built. Rich, ripe and spicy on the nose this has the depth, density and structure to evolve magnificently with time. Phenomenally complex, finessed and compelling.

Most of the fruit comes from the Côte de Nuits, with the majority from around Nuits itself, with the balance from the Côte de Beaune. The fruit is the star of the show here - strawberries, raspberries, red plum. It is a fresh and crunchy style of bourgogne, with enough bite to give it a vibrant length. It should drink well from a young age. And it’s an absolute bargain.

This is a balanced and refined Savigny, with a long, plummy, spicy finish. It has 20% whole bunch, helping draw out the tannins in a more gentle expression, which works well here. Perfumed with plum, red cherry and rose petal, with a delicious freshness. Fantastic.

Tuvilains is a lovely vineyard on the Pommard side of the town. Scented with rhubarb and raspberries, with a lot of structure on the palate. There is 20% whole bunch here, and some support from new oak. In 2021, it is spicy, red fruited and light bodied, with a refreshing crunchiness to the tannins.

This parcel actually used to be classified as a village parcel, and winemaker Mark seems particularly fond of it. It is really elegant and refined in 2021, with a hint of Gevrey’s density and spice. There’s a delicious hint of blood orange on the palate giving this a lift, there’s fine grained tannins and a long and pure, fruity finish. It’s one of the best Bourgogne Rouges you’ll find.

This Mazis is sumptuously perfumed with exotic red and black fruit. The palate is effortlessly refined, and has class and finesse in spades. Superbly structured with so much depth and complexity. It is drawn from three parcels, one of which is over 75 years old. The fruit from these very old vines goes in as whole bunch (accounting for around 10%), whilst the rest is destemmed. It is again the high point of the Tawse cellar in 2021, and may well be amongst the wines of the vintage.

This is a very special village lieu-dit. It is sandwiched between two grands crus: Charmes-Chambertin and Griotte-Chambertin. Most people who own vines here bottle it separately, as its character is of such high quality, it approaches premier cru complexity. This has Gevrey’s classical sour cherry density, and a sweet hint of dark cherry fruit on the palate. The fruit was entirely destemmed for this cuvée, and the body of the wine is juicy and fresh. Excellent.

This comes from seven parcels around the village, including La Justice, Forneaux, and Clos Prieur Bas. It is so precise and lengthy, with a lively, spicy, cherry red fruit that seems to go far beyond what a village usually delivers. It’s one of Mark’s favourites in the cellar, and we can see why. A small (25%), well-judged amount of whole bunch adds just a hint of lift. This is fantastic in 2021.

With only 2 barrels made in 2021, this is a floral, more opulent expression of Frémiets. It’s quite a warm site, and needs to be picked early to capture freshness, which fortunately, they have, and its excellent acidity serves it well, meaning this should have a long drinking window.

Packed full of red fruit character, with structured tannins that are typical of Gevrey. Herbal, savoury notes run through on the palate with a long, saline finish. Quite Nebbiolo in character and quite delicious.

These vines were planted in 1927, and lie just under Echézeaux and next to Clos de Vougeot and a stone’s throw from Suchots, which all in all is pretty unbelievable positioning for a village parcel. In 2021, 100% whole bunch was used, giving a delicious lift to the fruit. There is great depth and layering to the smoky, plum and damson fruit, topped off with a wonderful blackcurrant drive. The tannins are present but not astringent, giving it a muscular dimension. Very well made indeed.

Floral with a great energy on the nose. The energy follows through to the palate, with a lively core of acidity running through this wine. There is great depth to the fruit and a crunchy grip to the tannins which should see this wine age with grace.

Serious and brooding. Lovely density, and nice mineral texture. Has those grippy Clos tannins, but they’re refined and well rendered. This is elegant and finessed, but doesn’t lose its Clos Vougeot Character. Very long and fine.

Lovely nose of fragrant wild red fruit and rose petal, then velvety and rich with cherry, plum and wild berry fruit flavours. Fresh and complex with lots of depth. Great energy and concentration in the finish.

This was a high point to finish on with Nicolas. It was elegant, smoky, savoury, and spicy with such intense density, power and concentration in the fruit. It is full-bodied with a great acidity and voluminous tannins. A cut-above.

Clos de l'Arlot is the historic flagship monopole vineyard of the domaine, and Lay & Wheeler is delighted to have an allocation for the first time in 2021. It is efined and delicate, with classic and pure Pinot red fruit, supple tannins, and a long elegant finish.

The domaine purchased this plot of Vosne premier cru in the 1990s, and since then has been making this superb cuvée. An elegant bouquet of ripe wild strawberry and plum notes announce this Suchots arrival. The palate is agile and fresh, with silky, supple tannins. It has a long, fine mineral finish. Impressive.

This monopole vineyard spans over seven hectares of limestone hillside, accounting for almost half the domaine’s production. It has elegant and enticing red fruit on the nose, ripe though not rich. The tannins in this wine are supple and soft. This has astonishing depth, alongside haunting purity on the palate, a melange of wild strawberries, cherries, red plum with a finish that goes on forever. Such perfect balance in this fine, fine wine.

A gorgeous garnet colour. Delicate aromas of soft summer fruit, strawberry, cherry and a subtle floral note combine. The palate is full of finesse and balance with fine-grained tannins leading to a long, persistent finish.

This comes from 0.7 hectares of premiers crus across the village: La Riotte, Les Sorbès, and Le Village. The new style of vinification has drawn out the finest qualities of the fruit here: tight red berries, but with a fine silky texture to the tannins, and an elegant thread of acidity.