Next month, we will focus on Burgundy's latest releases. 2023 was a very generous vintage both in terms of quality and quantity. Temperatures were cooler than previous years making the wines true to their appellation. The whites are elegant and pure while the reds show great concentration of aromas and will delight Burgundian lovers.
We think 2023 is a great vintage to add to your cellar. Due to a substantially smaller crop, 2024 will, unfortunately, be in short supply, so we highly recommend you secure stock this year.
2023 – The Growing Season
Winter was rather mild and dry. Rain came in March alongside dry and cold days with subzero temperatures. A mix of cool and mild days took place in April and May with sudden downpours which delayed bud burst. As temperatures gradually rose and remained above seasonal averages, there was a rapid flowering in early June, creating excellent conditions and resulted in many generous bunches. July and August saw a mix of refreshing storms and periods of intense heat which required constant vigilance from the winegrowers but, overall, Summer was cooler than usual and contributed to a slow and well ripening of the grapes.
The Wines
Overall, the whites are precise and complex. 2023 is not a nervy vintage but the wines are incredibly balanced with excellent freshness. Meursault, Chassagne and Puligny did particularly well and are rich with a textural depth while the wines in Chablis are showing great typicity.
The reds are generous and juicy with bright fruits and silky tannins. They are not as alcoholic as recent vintages and most are showing quite well already. While they offer an instant appeal in their youth, they have depth and will keep also well.
Our Top Burgundy Producers
Small size estates and many producers within an appellation mean Burgundy wines can be expensive however it is still possible to get your hands on some high-quality Burgundy, without spending a fortune. We have selected our favourites for this outstanding vintage.
Domaine Chanson
This small estate has done extremely well this year. Their Beaune Clos des Fèves has achieved Jasper Morris MW’s 5 Stars badge of honour, ‘An outstanding wine in its category’, an accolade very rarely given (less than 10% of wines tasted across the year received it). They farm organically, harvest all grapes and vinify all wines, both for their estate holdings and contracted vineyards. All wines are fermented using 50% of the whole cluster to enhance the structure and the complexity of the wines. The philosophy is to bring fruity, fresh characteristics to the wine that shows not only when young, but more importantly with 5 to 10 years’ ageing. Chanson aims for their wines to appeal at every stage of their life.
Domaine Faiveley
Dating back to 1825 Faiveley is one of the most famous domaine in Burgundy. With vineyards in both the Cote de Beaune and the Cote de Nuits, they have several teams of dedicated vine growers working for them. Many of their wines are hand bottled with no filtration making opulent, rich and concentrated Pinot Noirs. They make true Burgundian classic from both prestigious and lesser known appellation which can be offer great value.
Domaine Olivier Leflaive
Olivier is Anne-Claude Leflaive cousin who runs the Burgundian legendary estate Domaine Leflaive. After working with Anne-Claude for a few years, Olivier set up his own estate in 1994 and now owns 15 hectares across Puligny, Chassagne and Meursault. Collectors can welcome the value and quality of his Premier Cru from under rated appellation Saint Aubin which is known for its purity and elegance. His straight Puligny ranks amongst the top 10 wines in the region and available for less than £400 IB for a case of six. This is quiet an achievement.
Domaine Antonin Guyon
This small estate produces an exceptional range of organic Premier and Grands Crus which are listed in some of the most renowned restaurant wine lists across the world. Their wines have received great revues from Robert Parker and merit serious attention. It is hard to believe it is still flying somewhat under the radar. Their Corton Charlemagne is particularly outstanding.
Louis Jadot
Domaine Louis Jadot was founded in 1859 however the family was making wines before that and acquired the famous Clos des Ursules in 1826. Today, they own over 150 hectares of vineyards, many of them being premier and grand cru in the Côte d'Or. Their wines benefitted from the expertise of Jacques Lardière, one of Burgundy's finest winemakers, in the 1970s. Using minimal intervention, the wines are terroir-driven and have received critical acclaims across the globe, setting the legend of Louis Jadot in stones. Today the estate is run by Thomas Seitier with Frederic Barnier as head winemaker.