The Premier cru is the second-highest classification level, below that of Grand cru and above the basic village AOCs. For Burgundy wines, the terms Premier Cru or 1er Cru are usually kept rather than being translated into English. There are 635 1er Cru vineyards officially recognized and so classified in the AOC statutes.

6-Pack includes 1 bottle of each:

REDS:
Capitain-Gagnerot Ladoix 1er Cru 'Bois Roussot' 2022
We could tell you all about the soil make-up in the Ladoix 1er cru vineyard ‘Bois Roussot’, but suffice it to say that when the Capitains planted, they need a jack-hammer to break up the limestone!  So you can imagine this ruby red, very mineral, red-fruit Ladoix, powerful but fine, with supple tannins and the trademark Capitain 10% new oak. A classic red Burgundy!

Domaine Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru 'Les Gravieres' 2021
Not surprisingly, the Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru ‘Gravières’ red comes from the same vineyard as their ‘Gravières’ white, just further down the slope, where the soil becomes denser and redder. ‘Gravières’ is a single vineyard with two distinct soil types, each suited to a different wine. Their ‘Gravières’ red is a signature Pinot Noir, bursting with ripe dark fruit flavors accented by hints of chocolate and coffee. It’s rich, powerful, and full-bodied, with a lasting finish of pure blackberry.

Domaine Mouton Givry 1er Cru 'Clos Jus' 2021
Domaine Mouton's aptly-named 'Clos Jus' ('jus' means 'juice') is the Mouton wine we go to first. Always ripe and juicy, ready to drink relatively early. Minerality is the key here, from a vineyard with different soil make-up to the rest of the appellation. Dark fruit, earth notes, delicate structure fleshed out to fullness. We appreciate the finesse in the winemaking, an unstinting perfectionism that has been communicated across a generation. The self-effacing Moutons would be the last to admit it, but for us their wines are nearly always perfect.

WHITES:
Domaine Gilles Bouton Saint Aubin 1er Cru 'Les Champlots' 2021
The Boutons sell most of their wine to private individuals either out-the-door at the domain or at numerous wine salons in France. From a steep south-west facing slope overlooking the village of Gamay, Les Champlots gets the full afternoon sun, and is hence always that bit more exuberant than the ‘En Remilly’ from the other side of the hill. Expressive, floral, and orange-blossom citric, it’s supple and well-balanced, with a smoky mineral in the finish.

Chateau Cary Potet Montagny 1er Cru 'Les Jardins' 2022
From the southern reaches of the Cote Chalonnaise, the wines of Montagny are among the best value in White Burgundy. With a unique and dusty minerality that many compare to a suave left-bank Chablis, the wines also profit from their southern position, so ripeness and maturity yield seductive and charming Chardonnay. This premier cru ‘Les Jardins’ is rich and grassy, with flinty minerality in the nose, and smoky minerality on the fruit. Lemon drop acidity and a touch of fat maturity are carried through the mid-palate onto a long mineral finish.

Jean-Claude Rateau Beaune 1er Cru Beaune 'Coucherias' 2022
A pale gold hue introduces this wine, layered with delicate aromas of white flowers, citrus, and almond. Lively and vibrant on the palate, it strikes a fine balance between bright fruit and crisp acidity, finishing with a long, mineral-driven elegance.