Home Winners > Winners 2015 > FRANCE: Red Burgundy

Winner Details

FRANCE: Red Burgundy


2015: Gold 1 Silver 4 Bronze 3 Commended 6
2014: Gold 2 Silver 8 Bronze 3 Commended 5


With relatively few older wines sent in, our teams were judging who had managed to do a decent job with recent vintages here. Interestingly, despite the dearth of wines at anything approaching the affordable end of things (Henri de Villamont’s Gold-winning AC Bourgogne was a laudable exception) our tasters were largely resigned to the pricing.

Burgundy, it would seem, can write its own rules at the moment – and what it’s writing is the word ‘expensive’ in large letters…

Star Performer

Congratulations to Henri de Villamont for following up a Gold with its 2010 Gevrey last year with this year’s only Gold for its well-priced AC Bourgogne.

 

From the Tasting Teams


‘Pinot is a good grape to work with, food-wise. It’s so versatile – it can be a good compromise with fish and meat – so very useful on the list.’
Paolo Pivato, Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa

‘They were reasonably priced and had good balance. And they didn’t go too crazy with the prices. You could even do some of these by the glass.’ Angelo Casali, Duck & Rice

‘Burgundy’s had a run of tricky vintages, which has reduced volumes and pushed prices up, so it’s tricky to find good value for money. But it’s a staple and you’ve got to have it on there somewhere. To a certain extent, it’s price-proof – people are prepared to pay good money for it.’ Natasha Hughes MW, team leader

‘Our flight ranged from £9.50 to £52 and it was a resounding “yes” to quality. At the lower end, the Village wines were good for drinking now, while at the upper end some were possibly not ready now. But there was a lot of agreement across the flight that there were some really good wines.’ Jade Koch, team leader

‘The pricing issue really depends on your target, and the kind of restaurant that you have. But I thought these were quite honest wines for the price.’
Mirco Giannoccaro, Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa

Award winners

Found 14 wines

France: Burgundy, Red

Henri de Villamont, Prestige, Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2012, Burgundy, France

Gold medal winner

Marvellous value and an expressive personality took Henri de Villamont to the top. ‘Floral, with fresh red fruit and hints of spice on an elegant nose,’ began Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott, with team leader Jade Koch adding: ‘Dry and refreshing on the palate, with fine tannins, good fruit and balance. A very good quaffer at the price.’ Great by the glass or partner with dishes such as game terrine.

£11.25 Berkmann Wine Cellars

Jean-Claude Boisset, Les Beaumonts, Chorey-lès-Beaune 2012, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘Good medium to full body, nice light fruit with a hint of leather,’ said Mirco Giannoccaro of Luton Hoo Hotel Golf & Spa, with team leader Natasha Hughes MW adding: ‘Young, with bright acid, firm tannins and pleasing cherry fruit.’

£16.80 Liberty Wines

Louis Jadot, Beaune 1er Cru, Les Theurons 2009, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘Nose showing vegetal spinach notes, green pepper and wet wood, with an earthy edge to the palate and red fruit, a touch of mineral and liqueur notes,’ said Angelo Casali of The Duck & Rice.

£22.50 Hatch Mansfield

Louis Jadot, Domaine Gagey, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru, Clos des Guettes 2010, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘Pale colour with a very good Pinot nose,’ began consultant Richard Bampfield MW, continuing: ‘Really good flavour, balanced oak, a rather classy example that’s gutsy and needs food.’ ‘Redcurrant palate with a refreshing dry finish,’ added Charles Pashby-Taylor of Dabbous.

£17.81 Hatch Mansfield

Vallet Frères, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2001, Burgundy, France

Silver medal winner

‘Warm, enveloping, true red Burgundy concentration, seductive and aromatic on the palate, soft but balanced and structured complexity,’ said Mark Graham of Butlers Wharf Chop House, while team leader Jade Koch noted: ‘Amazing nose of dancing violets, very much alive on the palate.’

£52.50 Boutinot

René Monnier, Volnay 1er Cru, Clos des Chênes 2012, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

Still youthful, our panel liked the silky texture, fresh fruit notes and balance. ‘Medium weight, with sweet fruit, bold, smoky, savoury and meaty notes, with cooked red and black fruit on the palate; good length with youthful, fine-grained tannins,’ said Robert Tozser of The Rib Room.

£29.49 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Agnès Dewé, Mercurey 2011, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

'Has some real character and intensity. Red berries and cherries, crunchy tannins and crisp acid, with leafy undergrowth notes. Nicely made,’ said team leader Natasha Hughes MW of this powerfully fragrant wine, with its welcoming strawberry aromas.

£13.15 Bibendum

Domaine Berthelemot, Beaune 1er Cru, Clos des Mouches 2011, Burgundy, France

Bronze medal winner

‘Very pretty Burgundian nose, light, juicy and well balanced; vibrant fruit on the palate, with delicate body,’ said team leader Jade Koch, with Riccardo Guzzardo of The Gilbert Scott noting: ‘Spicy, cinnamon and star anise aroma notes, very interesting style.’

£20.75 Boutinot

Louis Jadot, Coteaux Bourguignons, Gamay/Pinot Noir 2013, Burgundy , France

Commended medal winner

Louis Jadot, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2008, Burgundy , France

Commended medal winner

£56.25 Hatch Mansfield

Domaine Berthelemot, Monthélie 2011, Burgundy , France

Commended medal winner

£14.25 Boutinot

Domaine Latour, Aloxe-Corton 2012, Burgundy , France

Commended medal winner

Vallet Frères, Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos de la Justice Monopole 2010, Burgundy , France

Commended medal winner

£24.75 Boutinot

Michel Juillot, Bourgogne Rouge 2013, Burgundy, France

Commended medal winner

£10.02 Enotria&Coe