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Compelling 1er Cru Red Burgundy

Or should we classify this as a “Bargaindy®” as Agent Noir affectionately calls them, since we got it down to under $40 for ya thanks to the Midsummer Marathon hunt we went on. If Burgundies are rare, stupendous deals from Burgundy like this can be considered UNICORNS.

Yes, for every 10 bottles of Bordeaux made, there are only 1-2 bottles of Burgundy? Roughly speaking, that is, Bordeaux is MASSIVE while Burgundy is TINY. Most wines are made in quantities that range from a barrel to two. So, when this is gone, it’s GONE.

We’re in bucolic Santenay! Smack north of the village, Les Maladière, as the name suggests, was where the medieval hospital outside the town resided until the 13th century. Now the same plot’s fruit is made into 1er Cru wines like this one that CURES the spirit and the soul!

The climate and soils of neighboring Chassagne-Montrachet, once also famous for its Pinot Noirs, can be found here too. Wine Spectator explains: “Just a modest jog away from the legendary Burgundy vineyards of Montrachet, the wine village was long considered a backwater… Though stereotypes and habits don’t die easily, good Santenay is good Burgundy. Change that to good value Burgundy. In the 21st century, Santenay has produced more than 50 wines rated 90 points or higher in Wine Spectator blind tastings”

In our panel, palates and minds were blown by how utterly scrumptious a red this is! Should you be shy about Burgundy because you don’t find the fruit of, say, CA Pinot there, this one will make you a believer. It’s vivid ruby with a bright purple rim, instantly capturing the eye. The perfume is packed and stacked with raspberry purée, Bing cherries, red currants, spices, earth hints, and minerals. The palate is vibrant and succulent with even more red fruits, cranberries, pomegranates, a touch of spearmint tea here, and dried porcini mushrooms there. The sneaky complexity of the clingingly long finish will knock your socks off as it did ours. We all HAD to fight for the rest of the bottle for a weekday edition of bœuf Bourgignon or coq au vin.

Advice for savvy buyers: Do not waste your time researching press or pricing for this wine; you will not find it out there. Just 2 barrels imported to the US – that’s a mere 50 cases or 600 bottles. It’s that small and therefore that obscure! TRUST US, though, it drinks like a Grand Cru Santenay that never was.

At this price, you’ll be back for more when it’s gone.