Top Four Burgundies Wine Collectors Are Drinking
Asian wine collectors now treasure fine burgundies as much as Lafite Rothschild and Cheval Blanc, if not more
By James Suckling, 3.Feb
Asian wine collectors now treasure fine burgundies as much as Lafite Rothschild and Cheval Blanc, if not more
The top Asian wine collectors are now obsessed with burgundy. Wine merchants, auctioneers and restaurateurs say their best customers are now drinking the likes of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Leroy instead of Lafite Rothschild and Cheval Blanc.
The best vineyards of Burgundy – along the Côte d’Or – cover about 28,500 hectares. It’s from there that the finest chardonnays and pinot noirs, having been made for centuries, originate. The prices of burgundies continue to rise as they are, highly drinkable when young and age extremely well.
Below are four from the very fine crop of burgundies, picked by wine expert James Suckling.
2002 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands Echezeaux
This is a fine vintage, forgotten a little already since 2005, 2008 and 2009. You don’t have to buy the most expensive La Tâche or Romanee-Conti to feel the DRC magic. This is still a baby but exhibits fullness and a velvety texture. Better in eight to 10 years.
Score: 95 points
1996 Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche
The largest producer from the legendary chardonnay vineyard of Montrachet. Serious collectors prefer more famous names, but I think Drouhin’s Montrachet from the Laguiche family is always excellent and one of the best of this appellation. This example shows intensity and freshness, with layers of cream, toffee, dried lemon and apple crumble character. Stunning.
Score: 97 points
1998 Henri Jayer Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux
The master winemaker is gone but his unique wines live on. Almost all Jayer reds have such clarity of fruit and beauty. This 1998 premier cru reveals aromas of nutmeg, cinnamon and strawberry. Full and velvety, with a beautiful texture. Still young; best in 2015.
Score: 95 points
1985 Armand Rousseau Chambertin-Clos de Bèze
A wine with a phenomenal nose of flowers and tropical fruit as well as plums and honey. Full bodied, with super-fine tannins and a crisp and caressing finish. Ethereal and dreamy to taste.
Score: 98 points
Also check out our wine blogger Roddy Ropner's column on the Côte d’Or in Burgundy here.
