With the oldest records dating back to 1220, it took until 1872 for Bouchard to finally acquire all of the parcels of this 3.36ha Beaune monopole. Depending on the vintage not all the fruit is totally destemmed and the wine is matured in French oak for 12 months with 30-40% new wood. Always well priced and approachable in its youth it will also reward 5-10 years cellaring.

Laurent Ponsot’s new company is a stage in a wide-ranging project that began four decades ago. In this different format, Laurent Ponsot continues to use his experience, his craftsmanship and his passion to serve the terroir of Burgundy. The company Laurent Ponsot is neither a “domain” nor a “maison”: it’s a state of mind. To create an exceptional wine is the equivalent of designing luxury goods. “Haute couture” is how we have decided to describe these incredible wines, like unique designer pieces, made even more glorious through our experience and craftsmanship. This red wine of the Bourgogne appellation is cherry red in colour with deep ruby reflections. A fresh, fruity and lively wine to serve as an aperitif, accompanied by a mixed platter of cold meats and cheeses, a gourmet salad and a warm slice of toast with your own choice of topping.

Wonderfully perfumed and expressive, Domaine de Montille's Clos Vougeot displays the depth, concentration and beguiling complexity expected of this Grand Cru. Open and seductive in it's youth, it has the underlying structure and richness for long ageing.

Chateau Canon shows no shy and retiring character in 2010, set to a naturally ripe and high 15% alcohol. Though power and density is a motif in 2010, there is a surprising suppleness in this wine, born from central St-Emillion vineyards and the same family of wine as Chateau Rauzan-Segla of Margaux. Almost evenly split between Merlot and Cabernet Franc usually, it''s three quarters Merlot in 2010; the wine matures in oak barrel for 18 months, with around 70% of those offering new wood character. While dense and compact, there is a succulence to the wine that suggests cellaring to two decades would be apt.

Brooding and muscular, with impressive concentration and complexity, Domaine de Montilles Corton Clos du Roi is a traditional style that is firm in structure but not austere. Etienne de Montilles sensitive winemaking lends a vibrancy and freshness to this Grand Cru Corton.

This is a stylish village wine from the 0.645 ha parcel of the En la rue de Vergy vineyard in the commune of Morey-Saint-Denis. Located just above the les Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru vineyard, this plot is truly remarkable for the soil is non-existent. Instead the vines are planted directly on the calcareous bedrock where they have over the years, established extremely deep roots in order to seek out water and nutrients. Typically wines from this parcel are round and silky with more upfront fruit and moderate acidity.

Bouchard Père et Fils 1er Cru Clos St Landry is known for its subtle, yet arresting, aromas, expressive palate, and remarkably smooth finish. The vineyard, planted over limestone and clay with marls, benefits from a southeast aspect and spans 1.98 ha. From hand harvested fruit, the wine is pressed to stainless steel for 3 to 4 month, before being transferred to French oak (up to 15% new) where it matures for 9 to 10 months.

Château Pontet-Canet is a classic large Pauillac property that adjoins the Mouton Rothschild vineyards that in the past has struggled to get fruit richness into their wines until Michel Rolland was called in. The wines of the past 15 years have produced lovely, voluptuous reds with ripe fruit and brilliant balance. The 2009 is quite simple a stunning incarnation of Pontet-Canet and quite possibly their best wine ever produced! A 'tour de force' of the highest standard, layers of concentrated fruit along with sublime oak integration see this biodynamically farmed vineyard reach Bordeaux perfection. Will age comfortably for the next 50 years.