Arguably the wine that is most under pressure from the global supply/demand tug-o-war is white Burgundy. Land is scarce (and effectively fully planted, so production can't go up), quality has never been better, and the demand is astronomical! Indeed there are many collectors, both close to home, and around the globe, who refuse to drink anything else. The reason for this is very simple; once you experience the grand world of white Burgundy (Chardonnay) where power, elegance, freshness, complexity and hedonism meet in perfect union, it's very hard to turn back!
Saturday (1st April), we'll be taking a trip to the heart of France and looking at a lineup of new white Burgundy arrivals we simply adore. Due to huge shortages in supply over the next 12-18 months, it will be a long time before we can do something like this again. So if you're free, do come down anytime between 12 to 2pm!
- Red and White Burgundy Masterclasses -
A quick note on Burgundy - unfortunately these wines are becoming rarer and dearer, which means our Burgundy masterclasses will also be more expensive in the future. Beat the price rise and take advantage of these new white and red Burgundy masterclass dates! At the classes we also examine many Premier Cru (1er Cru) and Grand Cru bottles, so these classes are stunning value for money and very appropriate for all, regardless of whether you're just getting started in Burgundy, or you're an experienced collector. Here's what others have said about our Burgundy nights...
"We had a great time at the Burgundy nights...Your knowledge of the area and the wines is incredible!"
"Felt the mix of wines, Villages v Premier Cru v Grand Cru really good to illustrate both village and quality differences also a little winemaker difference showed. Most importantly delivered in a very informative but non intimidating manner. Really approachable, which is where many get it wrong, and also very involved, encouraging people to engage. Very good and great value."
///
Red Burgundy Masterclass (Click for info/tickets)
27th April 2023 (only 4 seats left!)
27th July 2023
White Burgundy Masterclass (Click for info/tickets)
///
2017 Clotilde Davenne Chablis 'Blanchots' Grand Cru - $235 on special ; $270 RRP
"Clotilde Davenne is a magnificent small producer in Chablis whose wines perfectly balance power, freshness and mineralité. No oak is used in the winemaking, and the style is classically mouthwatering! We're thrilled to offer this rare Grand Cru, direct from Clotilde's cellar, from the great 2017 vintage." - TWE
"Buttery richness seeps into this wine's chalky nose and carries onto the palate, which shows even more chalk and creaminess. Bright lemon pervades the mellow richness but chalkiness is already out in force and will become even more deliciously pronounced. Ready now, the wine is certain to evolve. Drink 2020–2035." - 94 Points, Anne Krebiehl MW, Wine Enthusiast
2019 Domaine Emmanuel Giboulot Cote de Beaune Blanc 'Combe d'Eve' - $139 on special ; $160 RRP
"If you love Chablis, in all its guises, you'll adore the whites made by Emmanuel Giboulot (and probably the reds too). All of the vines of this boutique estate have been grown organically since 1985, and biodynamically since 1996. The focus here is on genuine tension and purity in the wines. While many producers in Burgundy will ferment the cloudy juice of Chardonnay, which can give funk and complexity, Giboulot chooses to clarify the juice overnight, resulting in a very pure fruit profile. Coupled with a harvesting philosophy focussing on freshness, the result is a byouant, riveting wine with great detail and complexity." - TWE
2020 Jean Claude Boisset Beaune 'Vignes Franches' 1er Cru - $139 on special ; $160 RRP
"What a gorgeous glass of white Burgundy. Gently supported by fine oak, this rich, full and tender white is impeccably balanced, showcasing the vineyard and its gentle underlying mineralité beautifully. In this weeks' tasting we will pour this wine after the Giboulot above, to show you the influence of soil on the texture of a wine.
Boisset are significant land owners in Burgundy and have been quietly on the improve for a number of years now. '...as for winemaker Gregory Patriat at JC Boisset... his wines were absolutely mind-blowing. This was Burgundy with both finesse and energy.' That's what Jancis Robinson had to say about her experience with the Boisset 2021's which are due to land in Australia in approximately 3 months..." - TWE
2020 Xavier Monnot Meursault 'Chevalieres' - $169 on special ; $195 RRP
"Xavier Monnot is a producer whose wines must be on your radar if you love white Burgundy! Here you'll find significant depth, mouthfeel and texture that marry beautifully. Less about acid drive and more about the flavour ripeness, this is made in the classic Meursault 'beurre et noisettes' style. Chevaliers is an excellent, premier-cru-aspirant lieu-dit (single vineyard) that is almost always bottled seperately due to its quality and balance. Every aspect of this wine is well above the communal average, but the length is just superb! Other famous makers of Meursault Chevalieres include Coche Dury, Anne Boisson, Remi Jobard and Henri Germain." - TWE
"From vines with an average age of 45 years. Riper in bouquet but very charming. This Meursault Chevalières has a fine fresh mineral thread, and really excellent persistence. If the mid palate fills out a little more this could challenge for a fifth star." - Jasper Morris
2020 Domaine Faiveley Meursault 'Blagny' 1er Cru - $188 on special ; $215 RRP
"Wonderful, nutty nose with delicate toasty, pear and candied-citrus notes. Plenty of substance and concentration, the mineral freshness lifting up the ample body and giving it tons of energy. Almost perfectly judged oak and balance that's neither opulent nor austere enable this excellent Meursault to successfully walk the line." - 94 Points, James Suckling
"Aromas of pear, freshly baked bread, citrus oil and baking spices introduce the 2020 Meursault 1er Cru Blagny (Maison), a medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny wine that's bright and chalky, concluding with a saline finish. It's a fine effort that should match the 2017 rendition." - 90-92 Points, William Kelley, Wine Advocate
2020 Domaine Buisson Charles Meursault Vieilles Vignes - $195 on special ; $225 RRP
"Ripe aromas of hazelnut, white flowers and essence of pear are trimmed in just a suggestion of wood. Here too the medium-bodied flavors possess a lovely texture that is opulent yet focused along with an abundance of dry extract that buffers the lingering and saline finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. Even so, this is a very good Meursault villages that is worth considering." - Burghound
"Here, the order of the day is harvesting late... [winemaker] Essa doesn't care for reduction, seeking a floral, pure-fruited expression of Chardonnay... Where these Burgundies really stand out for me, however, is for their unusual mid-palate plenitude and alliance of elevated maturity with low pHs. The 2020 Meursault Vieilles Vignes unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear, confit lemon and peach mingled with hazelnuts and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, rich and unctuous, it's broad, fleshy and gourmand, with a sweet core of fruit and a long, saline finish." - William Kelley, robertparker.com
2019 Domaine Olivier Leflaive Meursault - $195 on special ; $225 RRP
"Another producer that has been quietly on the improve over the last few years is Olivier Leflaive. Their white wine program is excellent, and you'll find power and freshness meeting perfectly in every bottle. This 2019 Olivier Leflaive Meursault is a blend of many parcels from all around the village. The sites at lower altitude bringing the body and richness; the sites toward the top of the slope donating their mineralité and tension to the blend." - TWE
"This is potentially outstanding for its level..." - Burghound (cask sample)
"The lovely balance of ripe pineapple, creaminess and discreet oak makes this Meursault very easy to enjoy. The mineral freshness from high-altitude vineyards nicely complementing the bass notes from lower-lying sites with deep soil. Nice touch of grapefruit at the bold finish. Drink or hold." - 92 Points, JamesSuckling.com
"Peach, hazelnut, lemon, vanilla and toasted brioche aromas and flavors are matched to a well-endowed profile in this charming white, which verges on creamy as the lingering finish unfolds." - 92 Points, Wine Spectator
If you wish to purchase these wines, please use the links above. Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions // Prices valid until stock runs out or until Thursday the 6th of April