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 Bottle Case includes one bottles of each

REDS:
Michel Arcelain Beaune 1er Cru 'Clos des Mouches' 2020
Even though the best-known Beaune 'Clos des Mouches' (from Domaine Drouhin) is a Chardonnay and sits on a pedestal on the world stage, most Clos des Mouches is red. The best known, and arguably the best parcel of vines on the slopes above Beaune, it can be either white or red. So put Michel Arcelain's perfect Pinot vines in a vineyard of this caliber, and you get something special. Michel comes from the old school. He thinks that women like his Clos des Mouches and men like his Pommard. But be real! What he really means is that his Clos des Mouches is elegant, lacy and fine, fresh and floral, with impeccable balanced intensity.  And it is!  This is an example of meticulous winemaking in a world-class parcel of vines.

Domaine Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru 'Les Gravieres' 2020
Not surprisingly, this Borgeot Santenay 1er Cru 'Gravieres' red comes from the same vineyard as their Santenay 1er 'Gravieres' white, just further down the slope where the soil becomes denser and red. ‘Gravieres’ is one vineyard with two different soil types, apt for two different wines. Sadly, many producers have succumbed to the temptation of the bottom line, and have replanted Chardonnay where there should be Pinot Noir. But not the Borgeots! Their 'Gravieres' red is their signature Pinot, with ripe dark fruits tinged with chocolate and coffee, rich, powerful and fat right through the lingering note of pure blackberry.

Jean-Claude Rateau Beaune 1er Cru 'Les Bressandes 2016
Jean-Claude has a large parcel in the 1er Cru Les Bressandes on a steep slope facing east with pebbly clay and limestone soils, conducted in biodynamic farming since 1979. The soil is warm and well-drained giving ripe, structured wines. Long, slow fermentation with manual cap-punching followed by 18 months in not-new oak. The aromas are subtle and complex with black fruits, earth, violets and spice. The palate is relatively light, but intense with black cherry, earth and saline minerality. No "fruit bomb" here, but rather a traditional Burgundy, showing off it’s impressive ‘terroir’.

WHITES:
Domaine Gilles Bouton Saint Aubin 1er Cru 'Les Champlots' 2021
We met Gilles Bouton back in the days of our hotel-barge Le Papillon when we were cruising the inland waterways in search of the real Burgundy. I remember the first taste of his Saint-Aubin 1er Cru ‘en Remilly’, thinking we had discovered the best deal in white Burgundy ever. Gilles Bouton took the reins of his maternal grandfather’s 4 hectare (9.6 acre) domain in 1977. The holding now totals 15 hectares (36 acres) and is spread out over four villages (Saint Aubin, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault) all prime property in the so-called Golden Triangle of white Burgundy. Gilles was joined by his son, Julien, at the end of 2008. The domain today makes on average 60,000 bottles per year. 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.

Domaine Oudin Chablis 1er Cru 'Vaugiraut' 2020
An upper left bank premier cru that sits above the village of Chichée and to the south of Chablis itself, this Oudin Vaugiraut is a moment of pleasure with ripe fruit and gun-flint smoke. It’s floral and stony with a hint of salty sea breeze, pure and powerful and elegant.

Chateau Cary Potet Montagny 1er Cru 'Les Burnins' 2020
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 Burnins’ has a mineral attack with orange blossom floral notes and spicy round fruit. Rich and smoky, with green apple acidity and a touch of butter. Good long finish carried by the minerality.