2020 Samuel Billaud, Petit Chablis 12x75cl
The Billaud family have been producing great Chablis since 1815. 6th generation Samuel set out on his own in 2010 and it is fair to say that after a decade, his dynamic approach and great winemaking... touch have taken his domaine from a status of Rising Star to one of the very best, established growers in the region. Samuel makes precise, elegant and terroir-true expressions of every vineyard in his care. His wines are electric and simply crackle with the tension and vibrancy which can be found in the region's best wines. Offering scintillating wines from the refreshing, steely fresh Petit-Chablis through to bold and dynamic Grand Crus, Samuel Billaud is a master of his craft, and as Neal Martin points out, "We should see him right at the top of Chablis producers alongside the likes of Raveneau and Vincent Dauvissat". These are singular Chablis and the sheer embodiment of purity and poise.
£150 / Case£12.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Dupre Goujon, Cote de Brouilly, L’Heronde 6x75cl
Wow - what a wine. Crafted fro fruit grown on the Côte de Brouilly's famous pavé bleu (decomposed granite), the Lieu dit l'Héronde is so opened and expressive already, aromatic with raspberry and... black cherry fruit, hints of violets, spice, and on the palate it shows fabulous intensity and structure. Such a powerful wine, very much a Baby Hermitage lookalike, if there is such a thing. And what a back palate- stunning length, and such mineral linearity on that lingering finish. A Superstar, undoubtedly.
£125 / Case£20.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Patrick Javillier, Meursault, Tete Murgers 6x75cl
Made from grapes harvested from two tiny sites in Meursault, with vines of over 30 years of age, Marion masterfully crafts a wine of great power and finesse. Rich, complex and multi-layered flavours... of citrus and lightly toasted almonds take you on a a delightful and expressive journey. It is direct and forceful, yet with an underlying and quite contradictory subtlety that make it absolutely fabulous!
£375 / Case£62.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Philippe Livera (Tilleuls), Marsannay 6x75cl
A new find for Mr.Wheeler in the 2018 vintage and one we are pleased to follow since then; Domaine Livera is widely considered the “next Burgundian star” tellingly both by consumers of their... exceptional wines together with their winemaking contemporaries. The Livera family have been settled on the Domaine for almost 100 years, but Damien, who has been in charge for 13 years now, has taken the wines to a different level altogether. His style is one of purity, precision of fruit and impressive depth, quite reminiscent of the wines produced by Arnaud Mortet (who is a close friend and advisor). This is an up-and-coming address and very much one to watch.
£170 / Case£28.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Philippe Livera (Tilleuls), Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 6x75cl
*ON ALLOCATION - £1150 per case of 6 bottles IB*
A new find for Mr.Wheeler in the 2019 vintage and one we are pleased to follow since then; Domaine Livera is widely considered the “next Burgundian... star” tellingly both by consumers of their exceptional wines together with their winemaking contemporaries. The Livera family have been settled on the Domaine for almost 100 years, but Damien, who has been in charge for 13 years now, has taken the wines to a different level altogether. His style is one of purity, precision of fruit and impressive depth, quite reminiscent of the wines produced by Arnaud Mortet (who is a close friend and advisor). This is an up-and-coming address and very much one to watch.
Such a complete wine the Domaine Livera Chapelle-Chambertin. Mind-blowingly powerful yet ever so precise, seamless harmony even at this early stage, and a finish that unfurls layer upon layer of flavour: notes of violets and raspberry, followed by cherry then more savoury hints of winter spice and an almost umami finish. Impossibly delicious.
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Philippe Livera (Tilleuls), Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Village 6x75cl
A new find for Mr.Wheeler in the 2019 vintage and one we are pleased to follow since then; Domaine Livera is widely considered the “next Burgundian star” tellingly both by consumers of their... exceptional wines together with their winemaking contemporaries. The Livera family have been settled on the Domaine for almost 100 years, but Damien, who has been in charge for 13 years now, has taken the wines to a different level altogether. His style is one of purity, precision of fruit and impressive depth, quite reminiscent of the wines produced by Arnaud Mortet (who is a close friend and advisor). This is an up-and-coming address and very much one to watch.
At the very centre of the Gevrey commune is Le Clos Village, a vineyard that enjoyed a particularly successful cuvée in 2020. In Philippe's hands, it is full of explosive energy with a depth of flavour to rival that of the better premiers crus, and a Gevrey easily meeting the expectations of a great village cuvée. And then some. Length is particularly impressive here, with real ambition and structure to see it safely through most of its second decade.
£250 / Case£41.67 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Philippe Livera (Tilleuls), Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Evocelles 6x75cl
A new find for Mr.Wheeler in the 2019 vintage and one we are pleased to follow since then; Domaine Livera is widely considered the “next Burgundian star” tellingly both by consumers of their... exceptional wines together with their winemaking contemporaries. The Livera family have been settled on the Domaine for almost 100 years, but Damien, who has been in charge for 13 years now, has taken the wines to a different level altogether. His style is one of purity, precision of fruit and impressive depth, quite reminiscent of the wines produced by Arnaud Mortet (who is a close friend and advisor). This is an up-and-coming address and very much one to watch.
Opened, approachable and again with a core of red fruit, suggesting a relatively early picking for preserving freshness and poise. Contiguous with the 1er Crus, it is widely thought that Evocelles was not included in that classification only because most of the vineyard is in Brochon rather than Gevrey. Certainly the complexity and mineral finish point to a terroir of some class, and the relatively high altitude serves it well in this warm vintage. Well worth considering as a great-value option to the premiers crus.
£245 / Case£40.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Philippe Livera (Tilleuls), Fixin, Rouge 6x75cl
A new find for Mr.Wheeler in the 2019 vintage and one we are pleased to follow since then; Domaine Livera is widely considered the “next Burgundian star” tellingly both by consumers of their... exceptional wines together with their winemaking contemporaries. The Livera family have been settled on the Domaine for almost 100 years, but Damien, who has been in charge for 13 years now, has taken the wines to a different level altogether. His style is one of purity, precision of fruit and impressive depth, quite reminiscent of the wines produced by Arnaud Mortet (who is a close friend and advisor). This is an up-and-coming address and very much one to watch.
Yet again, such a pretty wine and strong contender for our all-out best red buy of the last couple vintages. Lovely body and juicy, succulent black and red fruit with just a hint of spice; great salinity throughout a long finish, here's a cuvée having it all: approachable, thirst-quenching, yet serious and endowed with deep flavours for graceful ageing.
£170 / Case£28.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Philippe Livera (Tilleuls), Cote de Nuits-Villages 6x75cl
A new find for Mr.Wheeler in the 2019 vintage and one we are pleased to follow since then; Domaine Livera is widely considered the “next Burgundian star” tellingly both by consumers of their... exceptional wines together with their winemaking contemporaries. The Livera family have been settled on the Domaine for almost 100 years, but Damien, who has been in charge for 13 years now, has taken the wines to a different level altogether. His style is one of purity, precision of fruit and impressive depth, quite reminiscent of the wines produced by Arnaud Mortet (who is a close friend and advisor). This is an up-and-coming address and very much one to watch.
Crisp, savoury, fresh with a core of red fruit, a delightfully raspy tannic structure, this is so thirst-quenching and moreish, it will be hard not to follow the first glass with a second. Perfect lunchtime Burgundy.
£145 / Case£24.17 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Philippe Livera (Tilleuls), Bourgogne, Pinot Noir 6x75cl
A new find for Mr.Wheeler in the 2019 vintage and one we are pleased to follow since then; Domaine Livera is widely considered the “next Burgundian star” tellingly both by consumers of their... exceptional wines together with their winemaking contemporaries.The Livera family have been settled on the Domaine for almost 100 years, but Damien, who has been in charge for 13 years now, has taken the wines to a different level altogether. His style is one of purity, precision of fruit and impressive depth, quite reminiscent of the wines produced by Arnaud Mortet (who is a close friend and advisor). This is an up-and-coming address and very much one to watch.
Simply outstanding this year; so pretty, floral with a background of juicy black fruit that is gorgeously textured; joyful, sophisticated and poised on the finish. A very, very fine Bourgogne rouge from vines across Gevrey-Chambertin.
£110 / Case£18.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Domaine Gerard Thomas, Saint-Aubin, Champ Tirant 12x75cl
This single vineyard St Aubin is a real treat. It is a fresh, buttery citrus mouthful with a lovely racing acidity. It is very refreshing and joyful is a superb example of village St Aubin at it best.
£240 / Case£20 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Domaine Albert Bichot (Long-Depaquit), Chablis Grand Cru, Moutonne 6x75cl
*ON ALLOCATION - £570 per case of 6 bottles IB*
Domaine Long-Depaquit can be traced back to 1791 when Jean Depaquit and his brother Simon moved to Chablis. They purchased vineyards and developed... their domaine into one of the most renowned producers of Chablis today. Now owned by Albert Bichot in Beaune, Domaine Long-Depaquit offers an impressive range of Premier and Grand Crus. A sustainable approach, limited yields and skilful winemaking creates incredibly invigorating and mineral-edged wines. ‘La Moutonne’, a monopole in the heart of the Grand Cru vineyards, between Vaudésir and Les Preuses is one of their most celebrated cuvées, known for its incredible precision, elegance and staying power. Whichever cuvée you choose, these are delicious, mineral rich Chardonnays of the highest order.
Opening the proceedings at a Bichot tasting in London, the 2020 La Moutonne quite simply blew us away. Crushed oyster shell and citrus on the nose, followed on the palate by a superb energy with an exquisite texture. Laser-like, yet with excellent weight and power on the long finish, this is very, very special.
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Comte Armand, Auxey-Duresses, Rouge 6x75cl
*ON ALLOCATION - £228 per case of 6 bottles IB*
One of the very finest producers in all of Burgundy, Domaine du Comte Armand is approaching its 200th anniversary very much at the top of its game.... After Pascal Marchant from 1985 to 1998, Benjamin Leroux from 1999 to 2013, Paul Zinetti is the third highly talented winemaker at the helm of this grand estate, and he is producing wines of rare depth, purity and character. The monumental Clos des Epeneaux, for a long time the only wine produced here, still gives the best Grands Crus a run for their money, but just as impressive is the unbeatable value delivered by the Auxey-Duresses cuvées and the delicacy and perfume of the Volnays. You can't go wrong at this address.
Duty Status: In BondAvailability: En Primeur
2020 Aurelien Verdet, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, Aux Boudots 6x75cl
From his modest winery hidden off the beaten track in the little village of Arcenant in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, Aurélien Verdet crafts wines of astonishing purity and precision. A highly... talented young winemaker whose following is growing steadily every year, Aurélien is no exception to the adage that “Great wine is created in the vineyard”. Indeed, he lavishes great care and attention on his 5.5 ha of vines, which he farms organically to produce fruit of superb quality. The winemaking is then all about respecting that fruit to bring the terroir through, which he does with great aplomb. A rising star to watch!
Over the past few years we have been waxing lyrical about those Nuits 1er Cru vineyards abutting to Vosne-Romanée (in this case, the famous Les Malconsorts) and the sublime balance of structured power, black-fruited intensity on one hand, and the velvety texture and lifted aromatics usually associated with Vosne. Aurélien's Les Boudots once again shows off this brilliant combination with its muscular tannins, brilliant energy and polished edges.
£450 / Case£75 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Aurelien Verdet, Morey-Saint-Denis 6x75cl
From his modest winery hidden off the beaten track in the little village of Arcenant in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits, Aurélien Verdet crafts wines of astonishing purity and precision. A highly... talented young winemaker whose following is growing steadily every year, Aurélien is no exception to the adage that “Great wine is created in the vineyard”. Indeed, he lavishes great care and attention on his 5.5 ha of vines, which he farms organically to produce fruit of superb quality. The winemaking is then all about respecting that fruit to bring the terroir through, which he does with great aplomb. A rising star to watch!
Wonderfully expressive with notes of violets and white pepper, Aurélien's is a characterful, full-bodied and powerful Morey Villages. The warm conditions yielded a lovely opulence to the fruit, and it shows the typical spicy element one can expect of this commune's wines, with added aromatic flourish courtesy of Aurélien's careful winemaking. A very fine villages cuvée.
£245 / Case£40.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Domaine Anne-Francoise Gros, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru, Aux Guettes 6x75cl
The wedding of Vosne-Romanée's Anne-Françoise Gros to Pommard's François Parent led to the establishment in 1988 of this superb domaine, with excellent holdings across both the Côte de Beaune and... the Côte de Nuits. With the help of their children Caroline and Mathieu, they produce generous wines of power and depth, with gentle extraction and cool maceration giving the wines a beautifully seductive velvety texture. The bottlings' labels are all adorned with a different female head, inspired by Anne-Françoise and the artist's interpretation of the vineyard's style.
Well-made reds from Savigny have performed outstandingly in this vintage, and as one would expect from a producer of this quality, the fact is fully demonstrated in this lovely wine. From the premier cru vineyard adjacent to the Bois de Chenôve there is a warm, sun-kissed bouquet of ripe red fruit here, followed by a juicy, supple, medium-full mouthful of loveliness. With plenty of structure here to take it the distance, there is no hurry, but this will be delightful in just a few years - and indeed long after.
£255 / Case£42.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Domaine Anne-Francoise Gros, Vosne-Romanee, Les Chalandins 6x75cl
The wedding of Vosne-Romanée's Anne-Françoise Gros to Pommard's François Parent led to the establishment in 1988 of this superb domaine, with excellent holdings across both the Côte de Beaune and... the Côte de Nuits. With the help of their children Caroline and Mathieu, they produce generous wines of power and depth, with gentle extraction and cool maceration giving the wines a beautifully seductive velvety texture. The bottlings' labels are all adorned with a different female head, inspired by Anne-Françoise and the artist's interpretation of the vineyard's style.
Berry fruits and cherries pervade this wonderful expression of single climat Vosne-Romanée. It has a delightfully soft mouthfeel with silky tannins and a hint of toasty oak in the background. An outstandingly well-made wine at this level.
£350 / Case£58.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Benjamin Leroux, Volnay Premier Cru, Les Mitans 6x75cl
Benjamin has been a good friend of ours since his days at Comte Armand, and his powerful, impressive winemaking style shines through in 2020 where concentration meets with backbone and guile in the... Volnay commune. He remembers his first ever visit to the UK back in 1999 where he spent some time staying with Richard Wheeler (Johnny's father, sadly passed away last year), memorable not least for the friendly dispute regarding the relative merits of local Mersea native Oysters versus their French counterparts! Benjamin’s Volnay 1er Cru Les Mitans reflects the greatest attributes of this excellent vintage. Density, richness and structure are all to the fore in a cuvée which gets better with every passing vintage.
£366 / Case£61 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Dominique Lafon, Beaune Premier Cru, Les Avaux 6x75cl
Les Avaux is rarely found on labels, with the vineyard being best known for providing the main volume for the Hospices de Beaune's Cuvée Maurice Drouhin. This example is firmly structured, ambitious and built for long-term ageing.
£275 / Case£45.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Dominique Lafon, Volnay 6x75cl
Already responsible for some of the very finest white wines in the world at his family Domaine in Meursault, and for some of the best value the world of wine has to offer in their Maconnais outfit;... Dominique Lafon has also been making his own wines for 11 years now, from vineyards he either owns or manages. The Dominique Lafon wines, produced at the Château de Bligny winery, are superb, showing the value of Dominique’s talent, experience and meticulous attention to detail. Simply, these are wines produced by one of the worlds greatest vinous talents.
Bordering Meursault, the cool and late-ripening " Les Lurets" vineyard provides the excellent, perfumed and delicately structured fruit for this cuvée. Elegant and perfect with 5 years' ageing.
£275 / Case£45.83 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Dominique Lafon, Bourgogne, Blanc 12x75cl
Already responsible for some of the very finest white wines in the world at his family Domaine in Meursault, and for some of the best value the world of wine has to offer in their Maconnais outfit;... Dominique Lafon has also been making his own wines for 11 years now, from vineyards he either owns or manages. The Dominique Lafon wines, produced at the Château de Bligny winery, are superb, showing the value of Dominique’s talent, experience and meticulous attention to detail. Simply, these are wines produced by one of the worlds greatest vinous talents.
This blend of fruit from powerful Meursault and lifted, highly toned Puligny has been a firm favourite here in recent years. A classy Côte d'Or white crafted by one of the most celebrated names in the region, and at a sensationally attractive price point. Here’s a wine of stunning value -- one not to be missed.
£235 / Case£19.58 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Domaine Anne et Herve Sigaut, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Les Noirots 6x75cl
"The 2020 Chambolle-Musigny Les Noirots ler Cru, from 0.5-hectares of 40-year-old vines, feels slightly more stemmy on the nose, yet it is well defined, and the pepperiness complements the darker... fruit compared to the Les Chatelots. The palate is framed by fine tannins, this Chambolle is well-structured with a Morey-like, mineral-driven finish that fans out wonderfully. Excellent. " 94 pts., Neal Martin, vinous.com
£375 / Case£62.50 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Domaine Rossignol Trapet, Bourgogne, Rouge 12x75cl
Really bright ruby in appearance and showing notes of cherries and violets. It is a lovely harmonious wine already and shows great ripeness and expression that punches well above the weight of its modest appellation. It will be spot on for drinking when it arrives, but enjoyable for a good few years after that.
£192 / Case£16 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate
2020 Domaine Rossignol-Trapet, Beaune Premier Cru, Les Teurons 6x75cl
What a lovely wine this is. Intensely floral nose with hints of mint followed by a concentrated mouthful of deep Morrello cherry with precise and well-structured tannins. It is a great example of what this vineyard can produce in the hands of a master winemaker.
£230 / Case£38.33 / BottleDuty Status: In BondAvailability: Immediate