The last few weeks have seen the arrival of many excellent new white Burgundy allocations, so today we've highlighted a number of our favourites from these shipments, and also feature eight different Burgundy on tasting this Saturday at our 12 to 2pm spot!
As the pricing for Burgundy increases generally, it's our duty to ensure we stock a range of wines featuring not only the most prestigious and important producers, but also to look outside of the big names in search of value for money, while still delivering excellent, market-beating quality. As such we think our selection below - featuring a range of our regular producers, as well as a few new faces - is a terrific snapshot of the market, including a variety of styles from all the important regions in the Burgundy department.
We can't wait to see what you make of these this weekend - see you then for this Burgundian extravaganza!
Bottles on tasting -
2019 Domaine Goisot Bourgogne Blanc Cotes d'Auxerre "Le Court Vit" - $68 on special ; $78 RRP
2020 Vincent Couche Bourgogne Blanc "Terre de Molesme" - $78 on special ; $89 RRP
2019 Domaine Thibert St Veran - $82 on special ; $92 RRP
2019 Domaine Thibert Pouilly Fuisse "Heritage" - $92 on special ; $105 RRP
2021 Domaine Arnaud Baillot Pernand Vergelesses "A Ma Fille Mahaut" - $99 on special ; $115 RRP
2021 Roland Lavantureux Chablis "Vau de Vey" 1er Cru - $119 on special ; $135 RRP
2021 Michel Niellon Chassagne Montrachet - $198 on special ; $230 RRP
2020 Louis Latour Puligny Montrachet "Les Referts" 1er Cru - $285 on special ; $325 RRP
Bottles on special -
“Thibert has now emerged as the latest vineyard owner in the Macon to show the world just how brilliantly Chardonnay expresses itself in the best soils in the Macon. Recently, Thibert was featured in the French wine press who compared his meticulousness and precision to that of Arnaud Ente ‘the magician of Meursault’. Unlike Ente, whose wines are very difficult to come by and painfully expensive, the Thibert wines are available and quite affordable” - Robert Millman, Terroir Sense Wine Review
“Attention to detail at every stage is the mantra here: and from impeccably farmed vineyards to a meticulously maintained winery.. Precise and incisive, these are pure and elegant Mâconnais wines endowed with serious concentration and structure... This is clearly one of the region's leading domaines today"- William Kelly, robertparker.com
2019 Domaine Thibert Macon Verze - $70 per bottle ; RRP $79
"The middle weight flavors aren't especially dense, but they possess both excellent delineation and punch before culminating in a very dry, lightly stony and youthfully austere finale." - Burghound
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2019 Domaine Thibert St Veran - $82 per bottle ; RRP $92
“Broader aromatics – some lemon in the lime aromas. The oak is an accent but is quickly forgotten as the width and minerality of this wine starts to show through. Complex and interesting... A little riper but still fresh and with clarity. Super wine again!” - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
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2019 Domaine Thibert St Veran "Bois de Fee" - $96 per bottle ; RRP $110
"Mouth-filling, mouth-watering, flavour that melts over the palate... Slowly, deliciously, fading flavour.” - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
“There is again excellent volume and richness to the punchy middle weight flavors that are an appealing combination of volume and finesse, all wrapped in a bone-dry but not really austere finish that is shaped by citrus-tinged acidity. Worth checking out." - Burghound
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2019 Domaine Thibert Pouilly Fuisse "Heritage" - $92 per bottle ; RRP $105
"A blend of vineyards in Pouilly Fuisse that average 75 years of age. This is a rock-solid white Burgundy. “Incisive, mineral but no hard edges. Super flashes of complexity in the finishing flavours – not full power but engrossing and delicious – almost a finesse to this wine.” - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
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2019 Domaine Thibert Pouilly Fuisse "Les Cras" - $126 per bottle ; RRP $145
“The last vintage with this name, it will be Vers Cras 1er in 2020 – but the parcels are the same. An exciting nose with some smoky minerality and very slowly more floral too. Wide, mineral, but very mobile and fluid and slowly fading – another completely absorbing wine... Simply excellent” - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
“There is terrific intensity, indeed it's almost painful, to the overtly mineral-inflected flavors that conclude in a chalky, youthfully austere, firm and chiseled finish.” - Burghound
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2019 Domaine Thibert Pouilly Fuisse "Les Vignes Blanches" - $126 per bottle ; RRP $145
“Less width but still excitement again with a floral touch to the top notes. More mouth-filling more structural, less finesse, more energy, more overt complexity. More exciting wine today – not better than Les Cras – but more my personal style preference. Again, a minimum of excellent...” - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
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2019 Domaine Thibert Pouilly Fuisse "Menetrieres" - $126 per bottle ; RRP $145
Only 505 bottles produced!
“Wow – a special vibration to the aromatic here – the oak not visible, maybe a small accent of aniseed – but the ‘brilliant-est’ of these aromas. Not a wine of power. A wine of fluidity, of minerality that melts over the palate – another completely absorbing wine and a wonderfully persistent finish.” - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
“The sleek, almost as intense and relatively fine flavors possess lovely delineation and ample minerality that really comes up on the impressively long finish. This is quite classy, even sophisticated and should age well.” - Burghound
2021 is shaping up to be a gorgeous, classically-styled Chablis vintage. The wines are clean and super refreshing, with energy, coolness and beautiful nuance and complexity. One of our favourite producers, year in year out, is Roland Lavantureux who makes among the most aesthetic and enjoyable styles in the region. Following fermentation in stainless steel the wines are raised in mainly a combination of steel and old barrels, giving them a lovely textural impression while retaining their shimmering purity.
2021 Roland Lavantureux Chablis Vieilles Vignes - $79 per bottle ; RRP $89
“... very joyous, a wine at ease with itself. An extra degree of succulence and more acidity too, very well handled." -Jasper Morris “From south-west facing vines in the hills around Lignorelles, the vines were planted in the 1960's and cover 3ha... Lovely acidity and mineral notes compliment the grapefruit characters and ripe pear fruit on the this." - Andy Howard, Decanter
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2021 Roland Lavantureux Chablis "Vauprin" - $96 per bottle ; RRP $110
"Vauprin is a special selection on the hill of Vauprin, situated close to Lignorelles. Vines range from 20-80 years old and the parcel is 1.8ha in size. This AP Chablis is notable for the confident way in which oak is used (up to 50%, ranging from new to five-year-old). Lovely density on the palate allied to purity of fruit. Here, the oak really does add a lot of complexity but the Chablis character is still evident underneath. A very fine Chablis." - 93 Points, Decanter
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2021 Roland Lavantureux Chablis "Vau de Vey" 1er Cru - $119 per bottle ; RRP $135
“Pure mid yellow. Soft fruit on the nose. Lean with lemons and lime but enough volume of fruit with a salivatory fresh acidity behind, and very good length." - Jasper Morris
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2021 Roland Lavantureux Chablis "Fourchaume" 1er Cru - $119 per bottle ; RRP $135
"Paler yellow, a lighter nose than the Vieilles Vignes but perhaps with more elegance. This was previously vinified and partly aged in 50% wood which shows in the coconut and the more tannic finish, both of which should subsequently integrate. Drink from 2024-2028." - Jasper Morris
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2021 Roland Lavantureux Chablis "Bougros" Grand Cru - $232 per bottle ; RRP $260
“A paler colour and richer nose, some wood, some muscle. Gently concentrated, with some citrus, then a wealth more fruit on the second half of the palate, a surge of energy. A really very long finish." - Jasper Morris
"Blain should indeed be happy with the quality as 2021 is arguably the best vintage from the domaine in several years and in particular, don't miss the Puligny villages as it's outstanding for its level." - Allen Meadows, Burghound 2021
Blain Gagnard Puligny Montrachet - $168 per bottle ; RRP $190
"This classic Puligny comes from a single lieu-dit—La Rue aux Vaches—although this is not indicated on the label. The wine has the citrus fruit and flinty character of Puligny and stands out in this cellar where everything else is from Chassagne. The texture in 2021 was lively and fresh, but some light batonnage gave the wine a bit more breadth. This wine should drink well young but will certainly hold for five years at least." - 93 Points, Decanter
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2021 Blain Gagnard Chassagne Montrachet "Caillerets" 1er Cru - $275 per bottle ; RRP $310
"Enough wood to comment on sets off the borderline exotic aromas of orange peel, white peach, exotic tea and a hint of pineapple. The rich and very generous medium-bodied flavors once again brim with sappy dry extract where an evident bead of minerality adds a sense of lift to the very dry finish that is shaped by citrus-tinged acidity. This has the stuffing to age but is sufficiently pliant to be enjoyable young as well." - 92 Points, Burghound
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2021 Blain Gagnard Criots Batard Montrachet - $829 per bottle ; RRP $950
"This is marvelous. Blain crushes the grapes lightly and avoids sulphur until after malo. His way of working produces this subtle, elegant wine with notes of ripe pear touched with acacia blossom, a touch of smoke and his trademark minerality. The texture is dense but never heavy, and the wine lingers elegantly on the finish. Blain explains the difference between Bâtard and Criot, just across the street: Bâtard has deep clay, while Criots has a stonier soil and one always senses the minerality." - 96 points, Charles Curtis MW, Decanter
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2021 Blain Gagnard Batard Montrachet - $829 per bottle ; RRP $950
"A markedly more floral-suffused and slightly cooler nose reflects notes of both white and yellow peach, citrus confit and a plenitude of spice elements. Here too the palate impression is seductive thanks to the superb concentration of the powerful and almost painfully intense broad-shouldered flavors that also display superb length on the balanced and equally tightly coiled finish. If you can find it, buy it." - Burghound
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2021 Blain Gagnard Le Montrachet Grand Cru - $1,995 per bottle ; RRP $2,300
"Here too there is a prominent floral component to the much more reserved aromas of spice, citrus, green apple and exotic tea. The big-bodied flavors are rich to the point of opulence with a stunning generosity while maintaining perfect balance on the lemony, compact and overtly austere finish that just goes on and on. This is a classic Montrachet that is very much built-to-age and it is indisputably one of the wines of the vintage. The word brilliant comes to mind." - 96 Points, Burghound
Based in the heart of Puligny Montrachet, Olivier Leflaive have both their own vineyards, and a significant négoce operation. Between the two, they have access to many of the most prestigious vineyards in the Cote de Beaune.
2020 Olivier Leflaive St Aubin "Chateniere" 1er Cru - $149 per bottle ; RRP $170
"Exceptional view on the vineyard of la Côte. Terroir facing to South-West sited in small, white and very limestone terrasses. A steep enough slope gives an early enough maturity. It became a famous terroir for the last fifteen years. La Chatenière is one of the oldest vineyard of Saint-Aubin planted in Chardonnay. It is a very floral wine with notes of citrus at the end of the mouth which give it length and finesse" - Winemaker Notes
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2020 Olivier Leflaive St Aubin "En Remilly" 1er Cru - $149 per bottle ; RRP $170
St Aubin is a small village tucked in behind Chassagne Montrachet, and is growing in reputation with each passing vintage. Pricing is still very reasonable for many fine St Aubin, and this is the case with the Leflaive bottling's on offer today too. While both vineyards are only a couple of hundred metres apart, they're really quite different - the Chateniere 1er is a little moretense and upright, with a squeeze of mineralité at the finish, while the En Remilly 1er is a fuller, broader wine; more closely representing a fine Chassagne Montrachet.
2020 Olivier Leflaive Puligny Montrachet "Les Encegnieres" - $230 per bottle ; RRP $265
Nearly everyone (including Ramonet, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey and Sauzet) who sources fruit from Les Encegnieres bottles this vineyard separately from the other village wines. Lying just below the Grand Cru Batard Montrachet, this is a rich and powerful wine that rewards cellaring.
2021 Domaine Follin Arbelet Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru - $489 per bottle ; RRP $560
"The 2021 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru comes from the lieu-dit of Le Charlemagne. It has a gorgeous bouquet with touches of yellow plum, grilled hazelnuts, white linen and light peachy aromas. The oak, almost half new, is neatly integrated. The palate is well-balanced with fine tannins and a killer line of acidity. It's taut and fresh but with actual weight and depth on the finish. This is one of the best Corton-Charlemagne that I have tasted in this vintage." - Neal Martin, Vinous
2021 Domaine Jacques Carillon Puligny Montrachet Village - $219 per bottle ; RRP $250
"His losses to frost prompted Carillon to blend much of his holdings together into a cuvée of 2021 Puligny-Montrachet Village, which is composed of around 80% premier cru and 20% village-level fruit. Exhibiting aromas of dried apricots, tangerine, honeycomb, preserved peach, flowers and nutmeg, it's medium-bodied, with a satiny attack, lively acids and a mordant finish." - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
"There is excellent underlying tension to the beautifully textured medium weight flavors that exude a subtle minerality that adds a sense of lift to the already complex, lingering and well-balanced finish. Lovely". - Burghound
2021 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne Montrachet Village Blanc - $198 per bottle; RRP $230
"Pretty, cool and airy aromas include those of essence of pear and apple that are trimmed in hints of petrol and wood. There is excellent intensity to the beautifully delineated middleweight flavors that are shaped by bright acidity on the balanced and lingering finale. This could use a few years of keeping to add depth and overall, this is a lovely Chassagne villages." - Burghound
"Clear pale colour. Very little bouquet, rather blocked by the bottling, with a touch of sulphur showing. Very good concentration on the palate but not yet opening out in detail. Good fruit acid balance but wait and see for the pleasure." - Jasper Morris
If you wish to purchase these wines, please use the links above. Alternatively, email us at brent@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions // Prices valid until Wednesday the 25th of October