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Untamed Côte-Rôtie:
2018 Levet Côte-Rôtie La Chavaroche

When it comes to unyieldingly honest and unapologetically traditional Côte-Rôtie, Levet's wines are without peer.

Hitting The Mark:
2018 Pillot Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Charmois

Thierry Pillot has emerged as one of Burgundy's most talented white Burgundy producers. The wines possess unmatched purity and crystalline character that sets them apart.

The Rarest Tribut, 0.23HA:
2018 Tribut Chablis 1er Cru Montmains

Out of the lineup, the Montmains stands out for its finesse and deeply etched precision. 

Don't Miss: Traditional 2010 Piedmont Steal
2010 Petterino Gattinara

There's an almost other-world feel to the wines. They're traditionally made and often released with a decade or more of age and yet can be had for under $35. It's impossible to think of any comparison. 

Back-Vintage Allemand
1998 Allemand Cornas Reynard

Allemand's 1998 has an intense and rigorous architecture. There's a wild profile with dark berry fruit, smoke, and a seriously complex presentation of spices and florality.

"Excellent"
2019 Bachelet Gevrey VV

When you catch Bachelet's Gevrey in a vintage like 2019, the wine can simply floor you. It has a class and complexity that village-level wines pretty much never have.

The Cult of Gonon:
2019 Gonon Vin de Pays l'Ardèche Les Iles Feray

Today, we wrap things up with Gonon's Lies Iles Feray. I should warn you from the beginning that this is a very small parcel that I would only imagine offering over a holiday weekend. 

Mugneret-Gibourg:
From Vosne to Clos Vougeot

Across the range, the wines are texturally beguiling, transparent, and supremely elegant.

2015 Dauvissat Chablis 1er Cru La Forest

Along with Raveneau's Butteaux and Montée de Tonnerre, Dauvissat's Forest is one of the most sought after and ageworthy 1er Crus.

The Pinnacle of Py - Magnum Edition:
2017 Foillard Morgon Cote du Py Cuvee 3.14 Magnums

The 3,14 bottling is only made in special years and is always one of the most exciting releases.

Red Burgundy 1979-2018:
Barthod, Chevillon, D'Angerville, Dujac, Lafarge & More

2020 Lauer "Senior"
Lightning Strikes, Again

This is a bottle we introduced to the U.S. nearly 15 years ago; it is a wine that is bought by the most serious collectors. Yet it is also a perennial staff favorite, a "Grand Cru" Riesling priced to be nearly a summertime go-to wine.

Gamay From On High:
2019 Arnot-Roberts Gamay El Dorado

For many years, Arnot-Roberts has been producing some of the most exciting wines in the New World. Arnot-Roberts' wines are some of the top examples of the "new California".

A Study in Grace and Understatement
2017 Bertheau Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes

Bertheau is making some of the most arrestingly elegant and honest Burgundies around. The whole lineup is impressive, but there's something special about the Chambolle 1er Cru Charmes.

Meursault Benchmark:
2018 Comtes Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre

When it comes to riper vintages, Lafon's wines are often amazing. Even with high expectations, the 2018s are seriously impressive. 

In Top Form:
2019 Chevillon Nuits-St-George Vieilles Vignes

Their Nuits has long been one of my bulletproof village Burgundies. The 2019 ups the ante in a serious way. 

Cote-Rotie At Its Most Riveting
2011 Bénetière Côte-Rôtie Cordeloux

There may very well be no Côte-Rôtie being made today that can match Bénetière in terms of focus, balance, and streamlined mineral elegance.

1HA - Lapierre Côte du Py:
2020 Lapierre Morgon Cuvée Camille Bottles and Magnums

"Pretty, lacy and mineral-suffused'
2017 Bertheau Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru

They are wines that feel as though they're without artifice. The wines are animated by a fine-ness, a delicacy. They speak softly, but with captivating precision.

Cult Chablis in Magnum:
2018 Tribut Chablis 1er Beauroy Magnums

When you taste the wine, it's pretty obvious why. This is a seriously good, classic Chablis at very fair pricing.

Stand Alone Barbera:
2018 Castello di Verduno Barbera d'Alba Bricco del Cuculo

Even though much of the trip was spent tasting the great 2016 Barolos and Barbarescos, the 2018 Barbera Bricco del Cuculo was the revelation of my tastings. I immediately asked the importer how much I could buy. 

The Other Side of Jamet 2019 Jamet
Côte-Rôtie Fructus Voluptas

Jamet's signature finesse,  with darker fruits and more overt florality.

Essential Bourgogne:
2018 Barthod Bourgogne Rouge

2019 Heitz-Lochardet Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières