‘I have never had more recommended Top Value wines in the Burghound Selection,’ writes Allen Meadows, the Burgundy expert, on the 2015s. Last week’s tastings of the stellar vintage highlighted its magic – even at Bourgogne level.
‘The Bourgogne reds in this warm, generous vintage can be better than village wines from more challenging or weaker vintages,’ suggests commentator Jeannie Cho Lee MW. ‘While the top crus of 2015 will be scarce and expensive, with the wines spread thinly around the world,’ says Antonio Galloni, ‘this is a prime vintage for buying village wines.’
All the terroirs ripened fully in Burgundy’s marginal climate and even the wines at the lower level show fine depth, structure and great length. Although the Rand remains weak, Burgundy prices are likely to continue rising as worldwide demand for this hallowed region continues to surge. If ever there was a vintage to explore Burgundy, 2015 is it!
We have offered the Chavy-Chouet La Taupe before. It’s a classy Pinot heralding from a plot next to Pommard. Joseph Drouhin’s Côte de Nuits-Villages and Morey-Saint-Denis are a real step up in 2015 with impressive structure and dazzling depth. Burgundy stars Hudelot-Noëllat and Henri Boillot have made arguably their finest Bourgogne Pinot Noirs in 2015. These are highly limited.
We finally introduce the Harmand-Geoffroy Gevrey-Chambertin from a classically-styled producer that flies under the radar and offers serious value. ‘Gerard is one of Gevrey’s stars, producing a splendid range of wines… The Harmand’s touch is clearly masterly. Their wines are all too attractive young, but age well. A fine, confident domaine,’ say Remington Norman and Charles Taylor MW, writing for The Great Domaines of Burgundy.
See the list of all our Burgundies.
Tasting notes:
Joseph Drouhin, Côte de Nuits-Villages 2015 – R 365
A delicious red Burgundy, with harmonious flavours. Bright ruby colour. On the nose, intense aromas of wild cherry, liquorice and mild spices, evolving towards notes of undergrowth and mushroom. On the palate, excellent balance between tannin, acidity and ‘gras’ (velvety texture). The aftertaste is reminiscent of little red berries. – Véronique Drouhin
Chavy-Chouet, Bourgogne Pinot Noir La Taupe 2015 – R 365
La Taupe is simply delicious Burgundian Pinot Noir and always offers impressive value. But from the 2015 vintage, this plot near Pommard shifts into 6th gear; pure raspberry and cherry fruit overlay a savoury complexity and an underlying grip. Mineral and taught, the finish is long and poised. Drink 2018-2028. – Roland Peens (February 2017)
Hudelot-Noëllat, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2015 – R 395
This is at once notably ripe yet quite fresh with liqueur-like red berry fruit aromas. There is excellent volume to the delicious middle weight flavors that possess fine richness and punch on the lightly structured finale. This would make a very good choice for a delicious yet serious house red. By the way, Hudelot consistently seems to do well with their Bourgogne and this admirable effort will only add to that reputation. – Wine Advocate, 88/100
Henri Boillot, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2015 – R 425
Healthy bright red. Lively minty lift to the medicinal cherry and licorice aromas. Juicy and intense, offering good density for its humble appellation. The strawberry and raspberry flavors carry nicely on the firmly tannic finish. The Boillots select the harvest dates for these vineyards and pick the fruit with their own team, noted Guillaume, who added that in 2015 these vines were picked at the end. – Stephen Tanzer, 87-88/100
Joseph Drouhin, Morey-Saint-Denis 2015 – R 595
A really great wine, appreciated by the Burgundy connoisseur for the diversity of its aromas and flavours. It has a beautiful ruby color, a seductive nose dominated by aromas of wild cherry and spice, evolving towards leather. A certain chewiness in the mouth, with fine and noble tannins providing the structure. Ample and fruity aftertaste. – Véronique Drouhin
Harmand-Geoffroy, Gevrey-Chambertin 2015 – R 725
This is the first wine to display any material level of reduction but it’s enough to push the underlying fruit to the background. Otherwise there is excellent volume and intensity to the rich, bold and full-bodied flavors that brim with dry extract that helps to buffer the notably firm tannins on the beautifully long finish. This robust effort is an excellent Gevrey villages but patience definitely required. – Allen Meadows, 89-92/100
