Gorgeous 93-Point White Burgundy from Domaine Henri Latour!
Today's plump, fresh and vibrant white Burgundy from brothers François and Sylvan Latour boasts the layered fruit, minerality and character that makes Meursault so wonderful, yet it sells for a fraction of the price.
What's the magic? Well, it's a matter of inches. Or, more accurately, a matter of a few hundred meters. The family vineyards used by François and Sylvan for today's wine are located not in Meursault, but a stone's throw to the northwest in the adjacent region of Auxey-Duresses.
The resulting wine boasts texture and charisma well beyond its price. Read on for the full story of this beauty from Domaine Henri Latour, and for a lovely expression of Volnay from Jehan Emonin, then click on the Big Green Button while supplies last!
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2022 Domaine Henri Latour
Auxey-Duresses Blanc
Burgundy, France
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Crafted by the small family domaine of Henri Latour, this delicious white Burgundy comes from estate-grown, hand-tended vines in Auxey-Duresses, a lesser known commune immediately adjacent to Meursault.
There's a lively tautness and complexity here that seem to expand with each sip. Vanilla, yellow fruit, yellow flower and white pepper notes are wrapped in an intense minerality that elevates to the next level.
Complex, layered, dynamic and fleshy, this 100% Chardonnay is a strong 93 points on our scale. It is already drinking wonderfully, and will be even more compelling with another 3 to 5 years in your cellar.
Slide this Henri Latour bottling blind into a range of $75 bottlings from Meursault and it would fit right in. While the days of sub-$40 Meursault are over a decade in the rearview mirror, it is encouraging that such opportunities still exist from more obscure zones, if you know where to look!
We are unsure of total production of this wine, but know that it it tiny. At just under thirty-five bucks, this is one that Burgundy fans are going to love.
Vin Chicago Price: 34.79
Plus a Seductive Volnay from Vincent Bouzerau!
2020 Jehan Emonin Volnay
Burgundy, France
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It’s not exactly front page news to say that Burgundy is expensive, which is why this silky red from the excellent 2020 vintage is such a special find. Vigneron Vincent Bouzerau, the grandson of Emonin, has crafted a deeply colored, concentrated Volnay that gives classic seduction and elegance. And does so for a very sweet-spot price.
On the nose, especially after airing in a decanter, this luscious Volnay gives flavors of black cherry, wild strawberry, rose petal, crimini, boxwood and roasted sage. In the mouth it is dense and savory with clay and limestone minerality giving energy to the fleshy cherry and black raspberry fruits. Medium-full in body, this delicious Pinot Noir continues to open and develop over a period of hours and days. On day three, our sample tasted like an $85 Premier Cru, earning 94 points on our scale.
Drink this Burgundy gem over the coming 10 to 15 years. Only 24 bottles available. We sure wish we had more!
Vin Chicago Price: 55.99
