TN: Some bargain Burgundy

[Andrew_K]

I’m always on the lookout for good Burgundy bargains for every day drinking and picked these up to try my last trip to the store.

2013 Claude Dugat Bourgogne - Wish I would have read the CT reviews before purchasing. It’s just as bad as advertised. Thin and pronounced acid. Undrinkable.

2018 Frederic Esmonin Bourgogne Les Genevrières - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne (5/6/2020)
Good but not great. A bit thin and simple. Better than some Bourgogne, and certainly not bad at the price point - I’ve paid much more for much less - but I’d rather go up a notch and get more interesting example. (88 pts.)

2018 Frederic Esmonin Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Prieur - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin (5/5/2020)
Initial nose of an old sofa. Blows off to reveal warm floral notes like violets and pipe tobacco. Really an intriguing nose. Good acidity, medium weight on the palate. Tobacco and tart red berries. Finish is smooth. Lovely village level example. Drank just as well the second day. (90 pts.)

• Picked up a case online for $25/bottle, way better than the $45 I paid in the store.

Posted from CellarTracker

[Jozef.P]

Thanks Andrew, I do drink Claude Dugat regularly, although not the bourgogne, with 2015 being the exception, of which I have a half case of bourgogne rouge. The cuvée seems to have better reviews on cellartracker.

In these times of quarantine, you may want to have a look at William Kelley’s instagram account if you are looking for “good Burgundy bargains”. He has been posting quite some interesting video’s on regions and producers in more modest Burgundy regions (Santenay, Mercurey, Rully). IMHO, it’s worth having a look at standout producers in these regions in good vintages, as opposed to buying a bourgogne rouge from a less than stellar vintage in the cote d’or (ie 2013 IMO).

For instance: William Kelley on Instagram: "Maranges, long used by the négoce to bring color and body to lighter wines from grander appellations, and Santenay, celebrated in the 19th century and even once endowed with a casino, have different histories; but both have been neglected in the post-War period, falling victims to the same kind of vicious cycles that have held back the Côte Châlonnaise. Today, an increasing number of ambitious domaines means it’s important to remember that the Côte de Beaune doesn’t stop at Chassagne-Montrachet, and in this video I argue that Maranges and Santenay will only grow in reputation over the coming decade—thanks to innovative and passionate producers such as Domaine Jean-Marc Vincent, who are proving that appellation hierarchy doesn’t have to be destiny." - a spotlight on Santenay

[Dav1d_Sawyer]

In these times of quarantine, you may want to have a look at William Kelley’s instagram account if you are looking for “good Burgundy bargains”. He has been posting quite some interesting video’s on regions and producers in more modest Burgundy regions (Santenay, Mercurey, Rully). IMHO, it’s worth having a look at standout producers in these regions in good vintages, as opposed to buying a bourgogne rouge from a less than stellar vintage in the cote d’or (ie 2013 IMO).

For instance: William Kelley on Instagram: "Maranges, long used by the négoce to bring color and body to lighter wines from grander appellations, and Santenay, celebrated in the 19th century and even once endowed with a casino, have different histories; but both have been neglected in the post-War period, falling victims to the same kind of vicious cycles that have held back the Côte Châlonnaise. Today, an increasing number of ambitious domaines means it’s important to remember that the Côte de Beaune doesn’t stop at Chassagne-Montrachet, and in this video I argue that Maranges and Santenay will only grow in reputation over the coming decade—thanks to innovative and passionate producers such as Domaine Jean-Marc Vincent, who are proving that appellation hierarchy doesn’t have to be destiny." - a spotlight on Santenay

I’ll strongly second this. William’s IG videos have been fantastic during this.