Monthelie

Little-known Monthélie is located next to the more famous Volnay, and the wines share the same silken tannin touch and sweet perfume. Made with no added sulphur from organic grapes, this is a wine that gives immediate pleasure.
Adam Bruntlett, Buyer (August 2019)

After several vintages of difficult or tiny harvests, this vineyard finally delivers. It comes from two contrasting plots, the lower portion on heavier clay soils, the upper on light sand and friable limestone, and the wine is lemon-fresh and bright, but with a surprising amount of weight. Drink 2022-2028.

Winemaker Brian Sieve draws comparisons between the white wines of 2017 and 2014, explaining that the texture, weight and freshness are very similar in both years, although 2017 has perhaps a little more fruit ripeness, along with excellent tension and persistence. He believes that this same freshness and brightness in the reds will provide ageing capacity, pointing out that they worked hard to restrict the yield of Pinot Noir to achieve riper grapes. Overall slightly less whole-bunch fermentation was used as Brian felt the stems and fruit were not as ripe as in richer vintages.

One of the stars of this year’s tasting at Château de Puligny, this boasts an ethereal, floral nose (Fleurie-esque, Jacques suggests). Half the stems were retained in ’16, and there was notably little punching down, accounting for its exceptionally supple, feather-light body.

Burgundy 2009 Best Buys - Outside The Box
This 2009 from the talented Benjamin Leroux shows a lightness of touch typical for the appellation, due credit to his deft wine-making. This is more delicate than a St Aubin but there is plenty there to entice and reward.
(Tom Cave, Cellar Plan Manager)

This starts discreetly on the nose and then leaps into action with a lovely fleshy, fine, intense core. Leroux's Auxey-Duresses Blanc is a glorious wine for early drinking.
(Jasper Morris MW, BBR Buyer)

There is 10% new oak here. The fruit comes from two contrasting plots, the lower portion on heavier clay soils, the upper on light sand and friable limestone. Flowering was not perfect, reducing the yield to 35hl/ha and giving a concentrated, powerful attack with intense, saline acidity at the finish. Excellent. Drink2022-2028.

Another cooler appellation that enjoyed its days in the sun in ’18. Ben prefers to raise this in 2,500-litre foudres, which are less oxidative, keeping the focus on the wine’s citrus-bright acidity. Even so, the wine is generous in the context of its appellation, with a spicy, wild-honey note. Drink 2021-2024.