Burghound - 2023/2024 Côte de Beaune

2024 Savigny-lès-Beaune “Les Marconnets”: Very pretty, even lightly perfumed, aromas include those of both red and dark berries with background hints of spice and wood. There is a lovely sense of vibrancy suffusing the lightly stony middle weight flavors that conclude in a mildly austere, balanced and firm finale. This is lovely and understated in style. (89–92)/2030+

2024 Chassagne-Montrachet “Morgeot” (from Les Fairendes): A whiff of sauvage character can be found on the more deeply pitched nose of humus-tinged earth and dark currant. The generously proportioned, rich and fleshy medium weight flavors possess a velvety texture before culminating in a rustic but more complex and slightly firmer finish. (90–92)/2031+

2024 Beaune “Clos des Aigrots” (from a .74 ha holding): Here too there is enough wood to notice framing the fresh and ripe black cherry-scented nose. The sleek and beautifully detailed flavors aren’t especially dense though I like the subtle bead of minerality that adds a sense of lift to the lightly austere and balanced finale. Note that this is sufficiently supple that it could be reasonably approached young. (89–91)/2030+

2024 Pommard “Les Epenots”: (this derives mostly from Grand Epenots plus it’s the product of an interesting mix as 10% of it is from domaine fruit, 45% is from purchased fruit and 45% of it is from purchased wine). Fresh, bright and softly earthy aromas are comprised mostly of the essence of red currant. There is better volume to the acceptably dense flavors that exhibit good if not truly special depth and length on the noticeably firmer finale. (89–91)/2032+

2024 Pommard “Les Rugiens” (from Rugiens Bas plus a purchase of wine): An admirably subtle application of wood easily allows the cooler aromas of elegant red and dark cherry, spice and floral wisps to shine. The super-sleek and markedly more mineral-driven flavors possess a strikingly attractive mouthfeel before terminating in a balanced, long and built-to-age finale. Good stuff with the development potential to match. (90–93)/2034+

2024 Volnay “Les Pitures” (from Pitures proper): A less expressive but more layered nose combines notes of very pretty plum, black raspberry, spice, wet stone and all but invisible wood influence. There is excellent volume to the medium weight flavors that are a combination of refinement and power while flashing evident minerality on the firm, long and balanced finale. This is potentially outstanding and worth checking out provided you intend to cellar it for at least the mid-term. (91–94)/2034+

2024 Volnay “Les Champans” (from a holding of roughly .34 ha): Moderate wood influence stops short of fighting with the fresh dark berry fruit, newly turned earth and crushed anise-suffused nose. There is very good volume and punch, if not nearly the same density and power, to the lightly stony and mildly austere finish that is also very clearly built-to-age. (90–92)/2034+

2024 Volnay “Clos des Chênes” (from a tiny .10 ha parcel next to Taillepieds): Here too moderate wood influence stops short of fighting with the spicy aromas of violet, black pinot fruit and more discreet earth influence. Once again there is very good volume to the markedly powerful larger-bodied flavors that culminate in decidedly compact, stony and overtly structured finale. I would add that while the firm and borderline chewy tannins aren’t exactly rustic, it would be fair to observe that this is not a Clos des Chênes of refinement. Patience absolutely required. (90–93)/2036+

2024 Volnay “Les Santenots” (mostly from Les Plures and the rest from Santenots Blanc): This is notably ripe in the context of the 2024 vintage with its aromas of poached plum, kirsch and black cherry liqueur. The super-sleek and highly energetic flavors aren’t particularly concentrated but they still manage to project good power on the firm, serious and equally built-to-age finale that is just slightly less chewy. Fine development potential here. (91–93)/2036+

2024 Corton-Perrières (from a purchase of fruit): A discreet application of wood is present on the appealingly cool and airy aromas of freshly crushed wild dark currant and sauvage scents. The sleek medium weight flavors possess a surprisingly sophisticated texture, something that one rarely remarks about the texture of Corton-Perrières that is in marked contrast to the serious, robust, powerful and clearly built-to-age finale. This is an old school Corton and a wine that would be pointless to open before it has at least 10 years of bottling. Extremely promising but for the patient. (92–94)/2036+

2024 Charmes-Chambertin (from a purchase of wine in Charmes proper): This is also relatively ripe in the context of the 2024 vintage with fresh aromas of black cherry, earthy and violet top notes. There is good punch and acceptably volume and concentration to the attractively textured flavors that come up a bit short on the lightly austere finale. This may well better harmonize once a few years have passed and my predicted range offers the benefit of the doubt. (89–92)/2034+