“Burgundies that almost everyone likes…” – Burghound

Warning: Excessive name-dropping about to go down. But this isn’t your everyday red Burg.

It’s the kind Burghound describes as “among the best of the ‘new world’ school of Burgundy, which is to say modern Burgundies that retain a clear sense of style and grace.”

We’re in GEVREY!

The most famous crown jewel village in Côte de Nuits and home to more Grand Crus than any other. And we’re in the 1er Cru vineyard of Champonnets, just one vineyard away from the band of Grand Crus starting with Ruchottes-Chambertin and Mazis-Chambertin just to its west.

Finding terroir in this treasured land under $100 is like striking a jackpot.

Practically any wine from any winemaker schooled by » drumroll 🥁 « Henri Jayer himself is not only rare but also impossible to keep in stock. The late grandmaster, per Decanter, is “dubbed the ‘Godfather of Burgundy’ after pioneering a range of key innovations in the region… his silky Pinot Noirs have grown increasingly rare, creating a cult following among collectors and connoisseurs alike.” Jayer, in essence, is pure mythology.

Guide Hachette des Vins quotes Winemaker of the Year winner Guillon’s style: “The vinifications are spread over four weeks to obtain structure. Breeding has a particularity: the use of 100% new wood. You must use very dry wood and grains that are well suited to different terroirs. Henri Jayer gave me a lot of advice, ‘My little guy, there are no great wines without new barrels!’ He guided me.”

With that guidance, today in all of Burgundy, only Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, and the Hospices de Beaune purchase more new oak barrels than Guillon. Nowadays, Jean-Michel’s son Alexis, has taken on the day-to-day winemaking under his father’s tutelage, after a couple of harvests at the (gulp) venerable Domaine Georges Roumier!

But that remarkable lineage alone does not fully explain how this Gevrey is so exceptional for the money. According to Wine Spectator “Burgundy’s 2022 vintage delivered something vintners here haven’t seen since 2017: cellars full of excellent Pinot Noir - the reds show terrific balance and harmony in 2022, with freshness, vibrant profiles, and pure fruit.” Which is exactly what’s in this 1er Cru masterpiece.

Without further ado, we’ll hand the mic over to Burghound to further convince you, if needed, why this is a you snooze you lose best price anywhere opportunity at 60% less than what it’s worth…

94 Points, Outstanding – Burghound “For those who may not be familiar with Guillon’s style, I would describe his wines as being among the best of the ‘new world’ school of Burgundy, which is to say modern Burgundies that retain a clear sense of style and grace. More importantly, at least to my taste, is that they remain identifiably Pinot Noir rather than a caricature of the Rhône Valley. Generous and fleshy and easy to like, though with good freshness and transparency. They’re the kind of Burgundies that almost everyone likes because there’s really nothing not to like. As to the style of the 2022s, they’re clearly ripe yet what is so interesting about is that the wines are fresh and have remarkably good terroir transparency. The Domaine made some lovely wines in 2022 and as is consistently the case, their range of Gevrey villages and 1ers are worth your interest. A more deeply pitched and overtly sauvage-inflected combination reveals notes of forest floor, humus, and underbrush that are trimmed in generous but not dominant wood. There is excellent intensity and punch to the tautly muscular and stony big-bodied flavors that culminate in a dusty, youthfully austere and very serious finish. Patience will be absolutely essential to see this overtly powerful effort at its peak. Drink 2037+.”