Waiting patiently for your Burgundies from the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits to reach their fully mature exquisiteness? The five wine-producing communes of the Côte Chalonnaise a little further south provide some excellent options for earlier drinking, advises Clive Coates MW
Givry
Vineyards in Givry, Côte Chalonnaise. Credit: Claude Duroy
The next village north is Givry, best known – and deservedly so – for its reds. A decade or more ago the whites were linear and charmless. Today they are a lot better, and in the best cases at least the equal of those of Mercurey, if not as delicious as those of Rully. But the reds, with an earthy yet round character and medium body, show a seductive fruit which matures after three or four years.
The appellation extends over the neighbouring villages of Poncey and Jambles, but the best wines come from an extensive slope above the village. Of the 25 premiers crus, look out for Servoisine, and even better the Clos Jus, whose wines which remind me a little of Chambolle-Musigny. In total the appellation measures 269ha, of which 120ha is premier cru.
Best growers: Guillemette et Xavier Besson; Domaine du Cellier aux Moines; Domaine Chofflet- Valdenaire; Jean-Marc Joblot; François Lumpp; Vincent Lumpp; Nicolas Ragot; Domaine du Clos Salomon
Domaine François Lumpp, Clos Jus 1er Cru 2013
18.5 (95)
Quite rich and oaky, but the latter is not exaggerated, allowing vigorous, succulent fruit to sing out. Lovely. It would be a pity to open this too early.
Price: £29.95 Berkmann, Georges Barbier, Lea & Sandeman, Thorman Hunt
Drink 2020-2030
Alc 13.5%
Domaine Joblot, Servoisine 1er Cru 2013
18.5 (95)
Ripe, substantial, and a very high class wine. Splendid quality. The new oak (70%) does not dominate at all.
Price: £24 Big Red Wine Co, Hallgarten Druitt, Vin Cognito
Drink 2020-2030
Alc 13.5%
Domaine Guillemette et Xavier Besson, Les Grands Prétans 1er Cru 2013
17.75 (92)
Splendidly rich nose. Good depth and substance. Summer pudding flavours. Very good grip. Fine.
Price: £19.80 Raeburn
Drink 2019-2027
Alc 13%
Domaine Chofflet-Valdenaire, Clos Jus 1er Cru 2013
17 (90)
Splendid ripe, rich fruit. Lots of vigour. Long, pure and multi-dimensional. Fine.
Price: £22 Amps, Harveys, Stone Vine & Sun
Drink 2019-2027
Alc 13.5%
