CÔTE DE NUITS
As you drive south out of Dijon and through the suburban sprawl, you come to Marsannay. Off to the right, in the distance on the hillside, you catch a first glimpse of the vineyards of the Côte d’Or. Here begin the ‘golden slopes’, the heartland of Burgundy wine production.

And from here until you hit the limestone quarries at Corgoloin about 15 miles further south, you will traverse arguably the most famous vineyards on the planet. This is the Côte de Nuits, the northern half of the Côte d’Or, and your itinerary will read like a world-class wine list.

Next stop, Gevrey-Chambertin. And if you turn right at the light and wend your way through the village, you will end up on the Route des Grands Crus. From here you won’t need a map. Pass through the grand cru Chambertins and the Clos de Beze towards Morey-St. Denis with its treasures, Clos de la Roche, Clos St. Denis, Clos de Tart.

You are in a vein of rock here that produces some of the finest red wine in the world. Carry on to tiny Chambolle-Musigny with its Bonnes Mares and Les Musigny, and out the other side to the Clos de Vougeot and the Echezeaux. It’s one legendary piece of land after another until you reach Vosne-Romanée and the pilgrims’ destination, Romanée-Conti.

On to Nuit-St.-Georges which gave its name to the Côte de Nuits, and where traditionally the region’s business was transacted. It’s a pretty little town, but most of the attention here is turned towards the land around. As we pass into the no-man’s-land of hard rock quarries, you note that we drove that distance in under a half an hour; and that was with gawking tourists.

It puts Burgundy into perspective. World famous wines. Such tiny villages. Such a narrow strip of land.

Read our Blog about Cotes de Nuits

Includes 2 bottles of each RED with GROUND SHIPPING INCLUDED

Julien Cruchandeau Hautes Cotes de Nuits 'Valencons' 2018
This single vineyard wine comes from a steep slope with not much limestone and clay soil. So expect a bigger structure than the Cabottes. 10% new wood, and another 10% of older barrels. Fresh open, soft black cherry fruit, earthy and mineral. The result of some whole cluster maceration. Earth, juicy, chocolaty, great volume. Exuberant!

Domaine Pierre Naigeon Morey Saint Denis 'En Rue de Vergy' 2018
The Morey St Denis 'En Rue de Vergy' (yes, once again, a single vineyard bottling) comes from a soil rich in limestone...and it shows. It's got pedigree, being situated just above Bonnes Mares. You get the classic Morey violet floral notes, but way high up on the palate, carried along by good acidity and minerality.  Which of course means that it has a very long, expressive finish. Another two star rating.  It was a good day!

Domaine Thierry Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin 2018
If you thought the ‘assemblage’ of the Mortet Bourgogne Rouge brought lots of different Pinot Noir strains to the cellar, get this: this Gevrey-Chambertin village is made from grapes from 20 different parcels of vines in AOC Gevrey-Chambertin! It would be hard to find a more representative example of Gevrey village’s famous diversity. Pure and open, intense blackberry and black currant, a touch of licorice. You’ll want to try it now, but keep it a few years more and you’ll be rewarded.

Domaine Marchand Freres Chambolle-Musigny ‘Vieilles Vignes’ 2020
The very politically-incorrect French describe Chambolle-Musigny as the most ‘feminine’ of the Corte de Nuits reds. It is violets, like in Volnay, but richer and more complex, perhaps. The term often used is ‘lacy’. The old vines give it character, personality even, and a structure solid enough to age.  But don’t miss the charm of youth either.

Marchand-Tawse Nuits St Georges 2018
This village Nuits St Georges is an assemblage of three parcels, 'Les Allots' and 'Aux Lavieres' on the northern side of town nearer to Vosne-Romanee; and 'Les Maladieres' on the south side of town. The wine is ruby and bright with the fresh berry of youth, but with a structure that shows Pascal Marchand's judicious use of oak with light, sweet toast. Charming now, but will age beautifully.

Domaine Jean Fery Cote de Nuits Villages 2019
It is as accessible as it is amiable, honest and straightforward in taste. The red, which has the gleaming crimson highlights of the Pinot grape, veers sometimes towards an intense garnet hue or, when young, a bright cherry. Its aromas run a classic spectrum through cherry, gooseberry and blackcurrant to notes of underbrush, mushroom and spices (cinnamon). This is a big-hearted wine, powerful in the mouth, full and meaty, and its tannins (more conspicuously present in the younger wines) are well smoothed-down. Ruby red with fresh fruit cherry and black currant dominant.  Spicy, with good structure and fine tannins.  An elegant wine drinking way above its appellation.

Note: These wines are sourced from small producers, and so quantities are very limited. If ever we run out of a particular wine, we will substitute a wine of equal or greater value.