Imbibed with a history of traditional Burgundian winemaking, the Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2016 is an exceptional Hautes-Côtes de Beaune white wine. Crafted in the acclaimed Meursault and hailing from winemaking virtuoso Charles Ballot, the wine evokes a blend of power, concentration and sophistication. Notably, the exceptional terroir of 'Les Narvaux' is captured, introducing a mineral, chalky quality that commingles with ripe, citrus fruits and oak-derived undertones. A manifestation of biodynamic farming methods, hand-harvesting of grapes and slow fermentation in French oak, the Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2016 is vibrant yet firmly structured.

Lauded for its precision and depth, this vintage exhibits a lengthy, complex finish indicative of its pedigree. As much an appreciation of the alchemy of winemaking as it is a celebration of refined taste, Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2016 is a veritable gem for wine connoisseurs seeking a fine Burgundian Chardonnay.

From the esteemed vineyards of Burgundy, allow me to introduce the Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2017, a magnificent example of craftsmanship by family-owned domaine, Ballot Millot. Steeped in tradition yet modern in practice, Ballot Millot's approach to winemaking is exemplary, resulting in spectacular vintages year after year. For this 2017 release, the wine draws its innate complexity and finesse from 50-year-old vines, nurtured through sustainable viticulture. Exhibiting the classic Meursault richness, the Les Narvaux 2017 captures your senses with distinct mineral notes complimenting its bouquet of white flowers and fresh hazelnut.

Aged meticulously in French oak barrels, the patina of well-integrated wood is subtle, allowing its vibrant natural flavours to shine through. Best served chilled, the Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2017 offers an expressive palate of ripe citrus balanced by a lithe acidity. Savour this piece of Burgundian artistry, but hurry - bottles of this outstanding vintage won't last long.

The Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2021, crafted by the renowned Ballot Millot winery, situated in the heart of Burgundy, France, embodies the exceptional expression of this prestigious terroir. This boutique, family-owned winery is globally recognised for the distinctly elegant wines they expertly vinify from ripe Chardonnay grapes. The grapes, handpicked from the esteemed, stone-laden Les Narvaux vineyard receiving optimal sun exposure, are coaxed into a divinely rounded and celebrated beverage.

With the passionate pursuit of precision and balance, the winemakers adhere meticulously to traditional methods while embracing modern technological advancements. Maturation in French oak barrels imparts a subtle, well-integrated oakiness, perfectly complementing the inherent minerality and introduction of complex notes of citrus blossom and ripe stone fruits. On the palate, the Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2021 features long-lasting texture and harmony certain to delight the most discerning connoisseur. A splendid epitome of Meursault's brilliance.

Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2022 is an exceptional, finely crafted white wine from the heart of Burgundy. This exquisite product is the work of the respected Ballot Millot domaine, which boasts five generations of winemaking heritage, a tradition that asserts itself in every delicate sip. The wine is produced in Meursault's prestigious Les Narvaux vineyard, renowned for its unique terroir that ensures a brilliant, complex palette. The Chardonnay grapes are manually harvested, delicately handled and vinified with scrupulous precision. Fermentation occurs in oak barrels before maturing, thereby enhancing its vibrant complexity.

The result is a wine that embodies elegance and intensity, with subtle hints of honey, citrus, and a touch of minerality. Its remarkable balance and beautiful finish demonstrate the wine's exceptional quality and potential for ageing. Captivating the essence of Meursault, the Ballot Millot Meursault Les Narvaux 2022 is an exquisite representation of Burgundy's mastery in wine production.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89-92)

After the racking several of the bouquets have gone a bit missing, including this Narvaux. This has a white fruit generosity on the palate, quite a firm finish with even a little warmth, needs more elevage, but the finish suggests fine quality. Would it have been better picked a couple of days earlier? Drink from 2027-2030. Tasted Oct 2024.

Our finest selection from Burgundy's French grapevine, the esteemed Baron Thenard Montrachet Grand Cru 2017 is a paragon of finesse and complexity. Cultivated in an optimal terroir, this Chardonnay is a testament to meticulous vinification techniques mastered by the Baron Thenard family who have thrived in wine craftsmanship since the 19th century.

This exceptional Grand Cru is a reflection of the limestone-rich soils of Montrachet, revealing depth of flavour that persistently engages the palate with elegant notes of citrus peels, sliced apples, flowers and creamy oak. Renowned for its harmonious balance, the wine displays a delightful tension between acidity and fruit, resulting in a breathtaking finish. Aged in French oak barrels and bottled carefully with minimal filtration, this gem of a product stands as one of the exemplary expressions of the revered Montrachet appellation.

A luxurious addition to any cellar, the Baron Thenard Montrachet Grand Cru 2017's site-specific character makes it the sought-after possession of discerning collectors and wine connoisseurs alike.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-97)

The Domaine has two plots of Montrachet, lucky people, the one on the Chassagne side being planted in 1945. A fair proportion is sold in bulk to certain regular customers but a few barrels are kept for their own use. There is one new barrel from each of their five tonneliers (plus a couple in older wood) and we had great fun tasting each of the new barrels. There were some taste differences: a touch of coconut from Cadus, sweeter fruit from Séguin Moreau, elegance from Tremeaux, more exotic from Rousseau and perhaps more fascinating was where the fruit sat on the palate: in the middle from Cadus, evenly spread from Rousseau and with a surge to the back from Chassin, which offered the most complete experience of the five. Talking of complete, here is the note on the combined blend, including the older wood: Fresh pale yellow gold colour with a light green inflection. This is followed by a delicious complex and balanced nose, with many layers, a clear sense of distinction, a burst of sunshine fruit at the front of the palate which is then maintained through to an even finish. Balanced and juicy with a long, perfumed aftertaste.

The Baron Thenard Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 encapsulates prestige and the apex of white Burgundy craftmanship. Hailing from the illustrious Montrachet Grand Cru vineyard, it is an exquisite expression of the utmost finesse and complexity. Baron Thenard, a superior producer in the region, meticulously cultivates a mere 1.83 hectares of Chardonnay with unrivalled panache.

An opulent yet elegantly balanced vintage, the 2019 is synonymous with an intoxicating intertwining of crisp golden apple and honeyed pear, bound by rich, buttery notes, ensuring a lavish mouthful. The minerally underpinnings, a classic character expressing its limestone-rich soils, enhance the wine's vibrant structure, culminating in a remarkably long finish.

Fulfilling the tradition of the finest French viniculture, each bottle of Baron Thenard Montrachet Grand Cru 2019 epitomises a wine of patience and longevity. Hence, it is perfectly poised for the cellars of discerning collectors and lovers of world-class Chardonnay.

The 'Baron Thenard Montrachet Grand Cru 2021' is an epitome of finesse, meticulously produced in the exalted vineyards of Montrachet, France. As a product of renowned vintner Baron Thenard, it encapsulates the estate's storied legacy of wine expertise in each pour. This extraordinary Grand Cru is a labour of masterful viticulture, harnessing the noble Chardonnay varietal to deliver a symphony of complex flavours.

Hand-harvested grapes undergo classical winemaking, matured in French oak barrels, creating a rich, full-bodied Chardonnay. The Baron Thenard Montrachet Grand Cru 2021 offers a sensuous bouquet of lemon, apricot and subtle minerality, cradled by an undercurrent of toasty oak.

This wine exemplifies the exceptional terroir of Baron Thenard and its dedication to crafting prestigious wines. It's a treasure for any discerning connoisseur, a testament to the timeless elegance and intricate craftsmanship that define the Baron Thenard Montrachet Grand Cru 2021.

Expressing the brilliance of Burgundy's viticulture, Bellene Meursault Forges 2021 is a paragon of elegance and complexity. Borne out of France's renowned Côte de Beaune region, this wine is painstakingly crafted by Nicolas Potel's Domaine de Bellene, whose approach emulates the long-held traditions of artisan winemaking.

An epitome of Meursault's trademark characteristics, Bellene Meursault Forges 2021 harmoniously unites the luscious flavours of ripe fruit with a perfect dash of oak, emanating an opulent bouquet laced with notes of citrus, honey, and white flowers. Its harmonious balance and subtle minerality are the direct results of the carefully selected and organically cultivated Chardonnay grapes from Les Forges, a revered plot featuring limestone-enriched soils.

Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels prior to bottling, it boasts a long-lasting, creamy mouthfeel that punctuates its sophistication. Bellene Meursault Forges 2021 is a crowning jewel, cast into the elite echelon of white Burgundy wines.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (87-88)

Currently in tank, being fined in preparation for bottling. Pale colour with a reductive note. A plentiful exuberant juicy fruit, with some fresh citrus behind. Racy finish, this will be delicious to gulp down. Drink from 2024-2027. Tasted: October 2023.

Vinous (91-94)

Spicy nose is going through a slightly oxidative phase (this wine is lower in total sulfur today than the Abbaye de Morgeot and Les Baudines). Very rich and pliant but salty and hard to assess today, with its peachy yellow fruits in the background. This densely packed, nutty wine finishes with terrific grip, excellent length and a powerful impression of dry extract. These vines are 50 to 60 years of age and struggling, Leroux told me. There's barely 20 centimeters of topsoil here and the vines don't look healthy but they produce very concentrated grapes, added Leroux, who refers to this wine as his baby grand cru. (13% alcohol)

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (88-90)

There was enough fruit to make use of a good mix of barrel shapes and sizes, as St-Romain was not much frosted. Pale colour with a light green tint. Fresh bouquet, some lime blossom, good tension here with a mineral backbone, and an attractive finish. Drink from 2024-2027.

Imbibe in the delectable aroma and taste of Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021, a breathtaking manifestation of exquisite Burgundian craftsmanship. Spawned from the revered vineyards of Burgundy, this fine white wine bears the hallmark of Benoit Ente, a distinguished, independent French winemaker renowned for his purist methods.

Each bottle encloses an unadulterated expression of Chardonnay, meticulously cultivated under the ardent care of Ente. The grapes are grown on gravel and clay soils in the heart of Burgundy, offering an unparalleled depth of flavour. The Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021 undergoes gentle aging in French oak barrels, endowing a delicate undertone of vanilla to its vibrant citrus profile.

Limited in production yet abundant in character, this riveting wine brims with notes of green apple, pear, and a subtle mineral finish. A befitting choice for the discerning palate, the Benoit Ente Bourgogne Blanc 2021 elegantly captures the sophistication of French winemaking.