Burgundy Wines
The Burgundy wine region is a fifth the size of Bordeaux, and produces correspondingly more expensive wines, with fewer bargains and more disappointments. The best way to buy Burgundy is to follow the best producers and depend on our Burgundy wine reviews. Our Burgundy wine guide contains hundreds of Burgundy wine ratings. If you take our advice, the most seductive wines (red from Pinot Noir, white from Chardonnay, always 100%) will be in your glass. It’s not just chance that the Burgundy bottle has rounded sides, the Bordeaux bottle has straight: Burgundy appeals to the senses, Bordeaux to the intellect.
The main appellation of the region is plain and simple: red and white, Bourgogne Rouge or Bourgogne Blanc. Climbing up the hierarchy are district appellations such as Chablis, for white wines, Mâcon for white and red wines, Côte de Beaune for reds, and so on.
Rising again in quality while the area of the appellation gets smaller are village appellations, including Vougeot, Auxey-Duresses, Pommard and Nuits-St-Georges, among others. In these villages, certain superior vineyards are designated premier cru — and you will find the name of the vineyard on the label. At the top of the quality heap are the single-vineyard appellations, the grand crus. Corton, Chambertin and Bonnes Mares are all examples, with Clos de Vougeot being perhaps the most famous.
Louis Jadot 2006 Chardonnay (Montrachet)
From the grandest of Burgundy’s white vineyards, this Le Montrachet sums up the 2006 white vintage. Its structure, freshness and richness rolls the wine around the mouth, offering citrus, bitter orange and yellow fruit flavors. Toast flavors round the wine, leaving a hugely satisfying aftertaste.
— R.V.
(10/1/2008)
Louis Latour 2006 Chardonnay (Chevalier-Montrachet)
- Cellar Selection
Rich and mineral at the same time, this deliciously powerful wine is open and generous. The structure is equally impressive, a steely core of minerality and tense stone fruits. The wood shows through with spice, but remains discreet. Age for many years.
— R.V.
(10/1/2008)
Bouchard Pere & Fils 2006 Chardonnay (Corton-Charlemagne)
Like so many producers and négociants, Bouchard Père has a slice of the action in this famed Grand Cru. Its interpretation is generous, going for the inherent richness from the terroir. This is a magnificently ripe wine, definitely opulent, with the generous wood enhancing the very ripe fruit. In all this splendor, it is good to find a delicious edge of acidity.
— R.V.
(10/1/2008)
Joseph Drouhin 2006 Marquis de Laguiche Premier Cru Chardonnay (Chassagne-Montrachet)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $114
Drouhin has the exclusivity on the Marquis de Laguiche domaine, which is producing great white wine. Here, minerality and citrus acidity are layered over beautifully judged wood. The wine is rich but crisp, white berries mingling with pears and a delicious finishing spice. Age for 5–6 years. Imported by Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.
— R.V.
(10/1/2009)
Domaine Leflaive 2007 Les Pucelles Premier Cru Chardonnay (Puligny-Montrachet)
- $260
A powerful wine, showing rich, opulent Chardonnay. The spice and acidity crispen the wine, but leave the powerful fruit in all its glory.
— R.V.
(7/1/2010)
William Fèvre 2007 Les Clos Grand Cru Chardonnay (Chablis)
- Cellar Selection
- $110
From the largest of the Chablis Grand Cru, this wine shows a lively fruit character but also a powerful, taut mineral streak that comes through to dominate. There is no doubt this needs aging, with its steely edge and vivid acidity.
— R.V.
(7/1/2010)
Bouchard Pere & Fils 2007 La Cabotte Chardonnay (Chevalier-Montrachet)
- Cellar Selection
- $660
From a parcel within the Chevalier-Montrachet vineyard, this is beautifully balanced, but a wine with considerable potential. It is rich, but thrust through with a sword of steel, giving acidity that offers a succulent counterpoint to the yellow fruits. The wood is becoming well integrated, offering further richness. For long-term aging.
— R.V.
(7/1/2010)
Olivier Leflaive 2009 Bâtard-Montrachet Chardonnay (Bâtard-Montrachet)
- Cellar Selection
- Online Exclusive
- $350
Mineral, steel and toast set this impressive, well-structured wine on to the road for aging. Behind this initially severe, very young exterior is the richest yellow and white fruit, exuding power, concentration and density. Give it 6–8 years and many more.
— R.V.
(12/31/2011)
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