From one of the greatest wine regions in the world.

Today’s top-secret offering, one of the regions’ flag bearing icons. A wine so exclusive just over two pallets made it to the US. At an astonishing 42% off – down to $57!!

If the words Côte-Rôtie don’t make you instantly salivate, you simply need more of this in your life. From the vertiginous slopes of the Northern Rhone, haunted by howling wind so fierce it threatens to blow vines over, Domaine Bernard Burgaud stubbornly continues making this powerhouse.

It’s bursting with blackberry jam, black olives, peppery spices, garigue, and piles of game meat while possessing the mouth-coating velour tannins that we’ve seen convert even the most die-hard Cabernet fans. It’s a wine so delicious but that evolves so beautifully in the cellar that you’re going to want two cases: one to drink now, one to hide for a decade!

Backing up a bit… It all started in the early 1950’s. Roger Burgaud labored in a local biscuit factory. But the regions’ wines were his passion, and over time he saved and invested everything in small plots of the some of the best vineyard blocks in the region, replanting and caring for them meticulously. In 1980, Bernard, his son, turned their vineyard business into a winery – Domaine Bernard Burgaud was born.

He belonged to a generation of vintners that came to represent the best of Côte Rôtie, alongside luminaries like Guigal, Clusel-Roch, Rostaing, and Jamet.

(and their wines go for double to triple the SRP of this gem!)

Rejecting the expansionist fervor of the time, Bernard stayed focused on making one wine, blending famous lieux-dits, including Côte Blonde, Champin, Leyat, Fongeant, Les Moutonnes and Brosse. Vinous shares more details, “The family owns 4.5 hectares of organically farmed vines in various lieu-dits, mostly in the northern sector of Côte-Rôtie, from which a single bottling is issued.”

Wait… ONLY ONE WINE?!

Insanity! But it’s a tradition his son, Pierre, has held firm on since taking over in 2019.

Vinous continues their praise, “The wine always shows an elegant personality, even in hot vintages like those of recent years. It also ages gracefully, as a recent 1989 resoundingly proves.”

A fact that a recent Decanter article concurs with. “Tempting though it is to drink it young, (their) Côte-Rôtie can age beautifully… The wines we tasted dated from 2008 back to 1988, and most of them were still going strong. What’s the secret of their longevity?”

And in a vintage like 2022? You are going to want to stock up! Vinous again explains, “All told, 2022 is a very good vintage in the Northern Rhône, for both reds and whites… At the top of the charts, the very best 2022s are absolutely divine and have all the ingredients for long lives in bottle.” Jeb Dunnuck agrees, noting of today’s wine that, “this elegant and seamless effort shows beautiful balance and will drink well for over a decade.”

We were only able to lock down a sliver of their production – around 15 cases. Mid $50s for a wine that can go the distance and then some!

Grab as much as you can for yourself to enjoy and cellar. You’ll thank us in ten years!

93 Points – Jeb Dunnuck “Bernard Burgaud produces a single Côte-Rôtie from roughly nine hectares of Syrah planted on steep slopes above Ampuis, with parcels in Côte Blonde, Le Champin, Leyat, Fongeant, Les Moutonnes, and La Brosse. The grapes are fully destemmed and see frequent punch-downs during fermentation. Elevage lasts 15-18 months in barrique, with about 20% new oak, and the wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered. Since 2019, Bernard’s son Pierre has led the estate, continuing its very traditional approach. Blackberries, violets, game, and bouquet garni all emerge from Burgaud’s 2022 Côte-Rôtie. Medium to full-bodied and nicely concentrated on the palate, with ripe tannins, this elegant and seamless effort shows beautiful balance and will drink well for over a decade. Drink 2025-2040.”

93 Points – James Suckling “A bright, juicy and pulpy Côte-Rôtie. The nose reveals notes of dark cherries, blueberries, roasted meat, baking spices and a touch of leather. It’s medium-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. Vivid and transparent with a succulent core of blue fruit at the center. Bright and pure. Lively finish. Drink or hold.”