Premier Cru red Burgundy by the “other” Latour in the $40s! How long will it last… a couple of hours? Less?!

Swear we got every bottle imported though. For YOU.

From one just nine 1er Crus in quaint Auxey, with Volnay and Meursault not too far. This tiny town hides from the spotlight, unlike its neighbors, with the exception of its appearance on Leroy, Leflaive, or Coche-Dury labels. Yet quietly, masterful growers such as brothers François and Sylvan Latour of Domaine Henri Latour, in vintages like 2020 truly shine with wines that give the famous a run for the money.

The nose alone is worth $100. Easily… No kidding! The redolent strawberries, the rhubarb compote, the smooth and gilded cherries, shaded by forest floor, and a light chalky mineral note are, simply put, intoxicating. On the palate, it’s sappy, with juicy cranberry, and pluot undertones, finishing on the minerally-rich side, with fine length that clings for over a minute, reminding us that we’re in 1er Cru territory here. We can’t even imagine how sick this would go with a traditional coq au vin feast.

To zoom in, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate points out that “The 2020 red Burgundies are arresting wines. Their deep, saturated hues are immediately striking… I typically look for analogies with older vintages, but I can find no analogy for the 2020s… the soaring prices of the most sought-after wines of the Côte d’Or will surely be an incentive to look at less glamorous appellations more seriously; careful shoppers looking for bargains will find excellence as well.”

Moreover, Burghound adds that 2020 red Burgundies are “ripe, vibrant and concentrated” while pointing out that “it’s important to emphasize that I found fine examples in virtually every commune in the Côte de Beaune… especially some of the cooler areas and in particular Auxey-Duresses did well.”

Bingo!

Let’s be clear, Domaine Henri Latour may not be one of the famous Latours out there, but this wine sure as hell tastes as it should be!

Only 4 barrels made and not even half of that makes it to the US. No time to send these for reviews as by the time there’s any press the wines are long gonzo.