TWO NEW Burgundian Domains:
Domaine Philippe Chavy of Meursault
“Doing it all by hand, unfiltered and unfined. He delivers delightfully characterful wines.”
- Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
Domaine Pierrick Bouley of Volnay
“Several remarkably beautiful wines in 2023, in Pierrick’s fine, understated style.”
- Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
Wednesday February 19th
Hosted by Michael Stephens - Founder (1990) & Cara Stephens (Managing Director) of Vins Divins Negociants of Beaune, who represent 55 Burgundian Domaines internationally.
Masterclass: 6:00pm, 10 Wines with nibbles, $95.00
The 2022 & 2023 vintage reports and meet the hosts!
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Vins Divins was created in 1990 by Michael Stephens in Beaune to pinpoint true terroir and promote the humbleness of the growers of Burgundy to the world wine market; whether you are a novice or a connoisseur. His daughter Cara has recently joined him after several years of working abroad.
The fount of our vision about Burgundy wine is shared with our growers and their respect for their land. We apply the same criteria to the Blue chip estates as we do to the the lesser-known domaines.
In the late 2000s, with speculators in wine auctions creating an even bigger gap in prices in Burgundy and foreign investors buying out renowned Burgundian estates, there is no better time to discover new and lesser known estates. Customers are eager to learn more about Burgundy wine and to discover new estates and it is with great pleasure that we, at Vins Divins, keep on striving to seek those hidden gems that have yet to be showcased to the world.
Vins Divins is first and foremost all about the growers! And if they happen to make great wine too, then that’s even better! Joke aside, rest assured, they all do! -
Mike Stephens was born in Manchester, England in the late 1950's. After language studies and the discovery of wine at Bradford University, it became evident that he should relocate at the source of the wine that excited him so much - BURGUNDY! In 1980, he journeyed to Beaune and knocked on the doors of famous shippers. Fortunately, Louis Latour was open minded and interviewed him.
A decent level of French and some honest cheek won the day. Mike worked there for 10 years and was able to learn the Burgundy business from the inside. In 1990, he decided to start up an independent Burgundy export merchant and hey Presto! The birth of Vins Divins!
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2022 Vintage Summary – A Terrific Year for White Burgundies:
“… 2022 is the best White Burgundy vintage since 2017 and rivals, if not surpasses, 2014 in quality. …”
In summary, 2022 may not be a perfect White Burgundy vintage but it’s pretty damn good. I believe it’s a vintage to buy and in quantity …The 2022 Côte d’Or Whites – “An Excellent, Perhaps Even Great, Vintage…”
As I mentioned in the introduction, pretty much everyone was very upbeat about the 2022 vintage as a whole and in particular, just how good the whites are. … In another parallel with 2020, I cannot emphasize enough this palpable sense of energy on the palate that makes these wines so exciting. …
- Burghound
Charles Curtis MW - 2022: Whites 4/5; Reds 4.5/5
The red wines from 2022 are deeply coloured, with a lush fruit expression, full body, well- developed but velvety tannins and abundant extract. The whites have a lush fruit character spanning ripe apple, peach and apricot and relatively soft acidity, suggesting these wines are primarily for early drinking. To achieve proper balance, some winemakers had to acidify.
In both reds and whites, it is the acid balance that holds 2022 Burgundy back from the very highest level, but the wines will be accessible and early- drinking, and the reds should age well.Overall quality is very high for red wines and good to very good for white wines. The red wines are consistent from the Côte de Nuits [in the north] down through the Côte Chalonnaise, and there will be many wines worth laying down.
The effect of the heat on the white wines becomes more pronounced as one moves south, though there are exceptions to this and whites also worthy of ageing. -
Burgundy 2023 en primeur vintage rating and overview:
Whites: 4/5
Charming wines, but hot temperatures can sometimes mean low acidity and high alcoholReds: 4/5
Lovely fruit, rich texture, but less potential for ageing than 2022A challenging but in the end very successful vintage – large in volume and above average in quality. While they may lack the consistency of the 2022s, overall the 2023s offer great approachability and considerable charm. Our expert selects 30 whites and reds that reveal the vintage's highlights.
The Wine List (Menu TBC)
1st Bracket
2022 Philippe Chavy Bourgogne Chardonnay
Clear pale colour, fresh apples on the nose, this is characterful and drier than some producers would make, but there is impressive purity and intensity on the palate. This has excellent potential. Fine length. Drink from 2024-2027. Tasted Oct 2023.
87 - 88 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2022 Philippe Chavy Meursault
Mostly from Pellands and Gruyaches. Clear pale lemon. Though the nose has evolved a bit, it is still easy to recognise the quality. Brilliant chiselled fresh limestone character on the palate, plenty of energy, stony nuances, and great persistence. Drink from 2027-2031. Tasted Oct 2023.
90 - 92 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
Grilled figs, stracciatella, balsamic pearls
2nd Bracket
2022 Philippe Chavy Puligny-Montrachet Corvées des Vignes
Clear pale colour with apples on the nose, but soon shows evolution. Even so you can pick the nuances on the palate. I suggested that we should try it again from a fresh sample, which was indeed paler in colour and fresher in bouquet with a light rubbery reduction. Floral notes, with plenty of energy, this is a really pretty Puligny. Lovely aftertaste. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted Oct 2023.
91 - 93 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2022 Philippe Chavy Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru ‘Les Folatières’
A fuller yellow. Here there is a major density of fruit but perhaps a little less detail in the relief compared to Charmes. Fresher behind, with enough of a chiselled character. Lime at the back, there is interesting character in the 2022 Folatières. Drink from 2028-2035. Tasted Oct 2023.
91 - 94 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
Steamed asparagus, sambal butter
3rd Bracket
2023 Pierrick Bouley Bourgogne Pinot Noir Côte d’Or
Nearly half of Pierrick’s four hectares are below Volnay, nearly half below Pommard and the rest above Pommard. 44 barrels made! Mid purple. An exquisite perfume with greater density than the Passetoutgrains. Dark raspberry with floral overtones, excellent acidity, very good length here, a coming of age. Look out for this. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted Oct 2024.
5 Stars & 90 - 91 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2023 Pierrick Bouley Monthélie Aux Fournereaux
A palish pink purple. Light and refined on the nose, fine-boned and classy on the palate, don’t expect excessive weight here, but the ripe red berry fruit continues very nicely through to the finish. Drink from 2027-2030. Tasted Oct 2024.
90 - 91 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2023 Pierrick Bouley Volnay
The regular blend. The lighter side of purple. Once again, the exquisite bouquet of this vintage chez Pierrick is on display. A fine balance between fruit and acidity, the tannins entirely refined, properly persistent. Drink from 2028-2032. Tasted Oct 2024.
90 - 93 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
Twice cooked lamb, melted beetroot, tadziki
4th Bracket
2023 Pierrick Bouley Pommard
Now a larger cuvee with additional vines post 2022. Some is in Chaffaud, some is La Vache. Over 1ha in all now. A rich mid purple with very attractively balanced ripe fruit, typical of warmer climate Pommard. Generous weight, still a tannin or two but well integrated, overall a little riper in style. Drink from 2029-2035. Tasted Oct 2024.
90 - 92 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2023 Pierrick Bouley Volnay 1er cru ‘Clos des Chênes’
A glowing fresh purple. The Clos des Chênes offers slightly more lifted red fruit, fresh raspberry backed by cherry, more fruit weight on the palate, and with good length. In fact, the aftertaste is particularly enjoyable. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted Oct 2024.
91 - 94 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2023 Pierrick Bouley Monthélie 1er cru ‘Les Clous’
A pale ruby. There is not a great deal on the nose, but a fine and fragrant alpine strawberry pinot on the palate, a little more length and nuance than the village Monthelie and certainly more persistence. A wine that needs a moment to grow on you. Drink from 2028-2032. Tasted Oct 2024.
90- 92 points Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy