Clos de Vougeot is the largest Grand Cru vineyard on the Côte d’Or, dating back to Cistercian times when monks knew what we know now: location, location, LOCATION! Across Thibault Liger-Belair’s holdings old vines from 1944 mesh with younger plantings. The older vines account for 60% of surface area but 40% of fruit volume, so abstemious are the yields. The results speak for themselves, however: depth, clarity, precision and guile.

The village of Morey-St-Denis lies between the villages of Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin, and its wines are sometimes described as being firmer than Chambolle, lighter than Gevrey. Bright crimson with purple hues, with flavours of red cherries, blueberries, baking spices and a dusting of nutmeg from quality French oak. Well-structured on the palate, supported by chalky, rounded tannins. A wine of outstanding value from this highly regarded Cote de Nuits commune.

There’s something quietly thrilling about the wines of Cellier Saint Benoit. Based in Arbois Pupillin, Benjamin Benoit’s domaine is still young by any standard, yet the clarity and character of his wines place them firmly among the Jura’s most compelling new voices. After time spent with Charles Lachaux, Amélie Berthaut, and Nicolas Faure in Burgundy, Benoit returned home earlier than planned in 2019 following the sudden passing of his father. That year marked his first vintage, and by 2020, he had full control of the domaine — bringing with him a clear and focused vision rooted in both tradition and precision. Rather than blending parcels, Benoit vinifies and bottles his lieux-dits separately, giving each site its own voice. The 6.25 hectares of vines — planted to Chardonnay, Savagnin, Ploussard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir — are farmed with care, and the cellar work is firmly low-intervention. Inspired by the techniques of Pierre Overnoy, Benoit works with minimal inputs: careful destemming of Ploussard by hand, whole-cluster ferments for Trousseau and Pinot Noir, gentle pressing of whole bunches for the whites, and aging in neutral oak. The use of sulphur is minimal, and in some cuvées, absent altogether. The result is a suite of wines that feel clear-eyed and precise, yet still vibrant and soulful — wines that make you stop and pay attention. They’re not inexpensive, but they are important. As the Jura continues to evolve and mature, Benoit’s wines feel like a glimpse of where things are headed, a signpost for the future of Arbois Pupillin, honouring the region’s heritage but elevated by a new generation’s clarity of purpose. Sourced from a cooler site in Pupillin, Courbes Raies Pinot Noir is whole cluster fermented to preserve its natural freshness and structure. A fine-textured and mineral expression of Jura Pinot.

The 2022 Louis Jadot Cotes de Nuits Villages LeVaucrain from Burgundy, France is a stunning representation of the region's renowned terroir. This wine, produced by the esteemed Louis Jadot, exudes an elegant deep ruby hue and opens with a bouquet of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, intertwined with subtle hints of earth and spice. On the palate, the wine is vibrant and complex, with a medium body and soft tannins. Flavors of red berries, black currants, and a touch of oak are delicately balanced, creating a harmonious and lingering finish. This vintage is a true testament to the art of winemaking, showcasing the best of Burgundy in a single bottle. Enjoy now or cellar for further development. Perfectly paired with roasted meats or mature cheeses.