PRE-ARRIVAL JOSEPH BURRIER
DUE JUNE 2026
Estate wines made by the ubiquitous Frederic Burrier are either classified organic or in conversion. Jasper Morris MW originally brought these to our attention and notes that Burrier crushes his fruit before pressing to give more texture and richness. He also judiciously used an old fashioned hydraulic press instead of a more modern pneumatic air-bag press for most of the wines. Frederic has trialled not crushing the fruit and using modern presses, but he prefers the textural complexity, phenolic richness and 'backbone' that his crushed chardonnay fruit method gives. He asserts that “you must start with perfectly ripened and healthy grapes.” The mashing/crushing of the fruit gives the wines more phenolic flavours and fleshier / firmer textures with antioxidants and other benefits. The 1er Cru AOC came into play with the 2020 vintage, and it’s been seemingly exponential growth in quality with each passing vintage.
My first port of call in Mâconnais was with Frédéric Burrier at Château de Beauregard, just outside Fuissé. Aside from his instrumental role securing Premier Cru status for Pouilly-Fuissé, Burrier’s cuvées under four different house labels are well worth investigating.....As I have commented in previous reports, perhaps these wines do not receive due respect. Neal Martin
2023 Chateau de Beauregard Moulin a Vent la Salomine Trés V.V. (1912 Plantings) Pre-Arrival Offer: $109
'This is riper still while displaying even more sauvage character on the dark berry fruit and just turned earth-suffused nose. The rich, supple and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors also pack excellent punch on the powerful and succulent finish. While not a monster of concentration, the lingering finale is quite firm so at least moderate patience will be required. Also well worth a look.' 91 points - Allen Meadows, Burghound
'This is riper still while displaying even more sauvage character on the dark berry fruit and just turned earth-suffused nose. The rich, supple and utterly delicious medium-bodied flavors also pack excellent punch on the powerful and succulent finish. While not a monster of concentration, the lingering finale is quite firm so at least moderate patience will be required. Also well worth a look.' 91 points - Allen Meadows, Burghound
'[..]The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, again quite structured like the Fleurie with a sapid, almost introverted finish that invites cellaring. Excellent.' 90+ points - Neal Martin, Vinous
Frédéric Burrier’s excellent wines from the Mâconnais are well-known and rightly celebrated but his outstanding work in Beaujolais is still pretty much an insiders’ secret. From estate-owned vines in the region’s best Crus, Burrier produces a range of top-notch wines that, unsurprisingly from a white wine specialist, showcase vibrancy, balance and finesse. Neil Martin, Vinous
