The name Burgundy (Bourgogne in French) comes from the Burundians, an ancient Germanic people originating in Bornholm who settled in the area during the early Middle Ages.
Burgundy’s best red and white wines set the gold standard for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. At the top of their game, Burgundy wines are acknowledged as some of the most aromatically complex, seductive and silky on the globe. This thanks in part to their indescribable melding of fruits, flowers, minerals, and earth, as well as their facility in projecting an authoritative flavor sans excess weight.
Unfortunately, for many, the best Burgundies are only produced in limited numbers. Burgundy wines can spell trouble for the non-connoisseur—there are still many examples of less than stellar, overpriced bottles for sale. This fact is due to the nature of the region’s vineyard ownership. An individual, small premier cru vineyard may be subdivided amongst a dozen or more owners. These owners may produce everything from plonk to exceptional wines—all at the same price—depending on the skills of the producer.
The Côte d'Or, or "golden slope," is the in heart of Burgundy and is home to the region’s most famous, and pricey, wines. This 30-mile-long ribbon of vineyards is where all the Grand Cru vineyards (except for Chablis Grand Cru) are found. The Côte d'Or lies just south of Dijon extending to Chagny. The greater Burgundy region also envelopes Chablis to the northern extreme, while the Côte Chalonnaise and Maconnais regions are located to the south of the Côte d'Or. Beaujolais, at the extreme southern end of the Burgundy region, almost touches the outreaches of Lyon.
Burghound, 90 points: (88-90 points) The fresh, ripe and softly exotic aromas are composed by notes of white fruit compote, citrus and spice. There is exceptionally good richness to the thick, even luscious medium-bodied flavors that coat the...
Wine Spectator, 91 points: Expressive, with blackberry and blueberry fruit intricately woven into the cashmere texture. Lively acidity keeps this well-defined, while iron, wet earth and spice notes linger on the finish, where beefy tannins reign...
Wine Spectator, 92 points: The fine structure creates a nervous tension in this white, with lemon, chalk and baking spice flavors. Balanced, showing intensity and a mouthwatering finish that echoes the citrus, mineral and spice elements. Best from...
Vinous, 93 points: (91-93 points) Jadot's 2012 Beaune Theurons is quite a bit firmer and more structured than the Greves. Iron, red fruit, minerals, chalk and smoke are some of the many notes that open up in the glass. The 2012 is going to...
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy, 95 points: (92-95 points) Old vines. Rich lively purple. The sturdiest nose of the three Beaune 1ers crus, the most backward. The fruit is formidably structured on the palate, dark fruit to finish, even some blackberry but this has...
jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A cooler climat facing south along the combe above the village. This has an array of very attractive, ripe red cherries, plums and blackberries. Plenty of spices and an earthy edge, too. The palate has a smooth and supple...
Wine Spectator, 93 points: Pure, evoking black cherry, black currant and floral aromas and flavors. Rich and dense, yet set on a lithe frame, with fine grip to the aftertaste of lingering fruit, mineral and spice. Shows lovely harmony. Best from...
Decanter, 98 points: Absolutely bursting with blue and red fruits, the concentration is deceptive here, as it starts out juicy and full of air, but after a few minutes in the glass you start to feel the weight and the texture, and this turns...
Vinous, 93 points: The 2015 Meursault Les Charmes 1er Cru sports very slight reduction on the nose, but the terroir comes through: fine definition, scents of crushed stone and a little walnut, a subtle marine influence in the background...
Vinous, 93 points: (91-93 points) (this wine had been racked and returned to fûts; Dauvissat planned to move it into stainless steel in August and bottle it next year): Very pale lemon-yellow color. Reticent but pure scents of minerals and...
Showing 15 of 474 wines
Dear Customer We are having problems processing your request. Please contact our sales office between 9 AM and 5 PM (PST) for further assistance at 1.888.859.4637.
JJ Buckley has the best selections and prices on unique, cult-status wines. Their recommendations are always on par.
-Brett W., November 2020