Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Ropiteau Frères – Meursault – 2023
Meursault AOP – Côte de Beaune – Burgundy – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A classic expression of Meursault Chardonnay, showcasing the richer, broader style of the Côte de Beaune. The 2023 vintage leans into ripeness and texture while maintaining balance, delivering a layered and refined interpretation of this iconic village.

Aromas & Flavors
Stone fruit leads the profile, ripe peach and apricot, supported by baked apple and subtle citrus. Notes of toasted hazelnut, light vanilla, and a gentle touch of oak add complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with a broader, more enveloping texture. Creamy yet balanced by fresh acidity, creating a harmonious and polished palate. The finish is smooth, layered, and persistent.

Food Pairings
Lobster, scallops, roasted chicken, creamy pasta, or mushroom-based dishes. Also shines with richer seafood preparations.

Verdict
A sophisticated and well-balanced Meursault that captures the essence of Côte de Beaune richness, textured, layered, and quietly complex. Elegant without being heavy.

Did You Know?
Meursault is famous for its nutty, buttery nuances, often enhanced by lees aging and oak influence, yet the best examples, like this, keep everything in balance rather than leaning too rich.

🍷 Personal Pick
A beautiful step up in texture and complexity, when I want Chardonnay with depth, presence, and that unmistakable Burgundy signature. — 13 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Domaine Derey Frères – Marsannay “Les Vignes Marie” 2021 🇫🇷
Marsannay AOC, Côte de Nuits – Burgundy, France

Overview
100% Pinot Noir from Marsannay, the only Côte de Nuits village allowed to produce wines in all three colors (red, white, and rosé). “Les Vignes Marie” is a standout parcel that shows the classic finesse of Burgundy Pinot while keeping Marsannay’s hallmark freshness and approachability.

Aromas & Flavors
Bright red cherry, raspberry, and wild strawberry lead the nose, with hints of rose petal, subtle spice, and earthy forest floor. A touch of mineral undertone brings lift and precision.

Mouthfeel
Elegant and medium-bodied with silky tannins, lively acidity, and a refined structure. Balanced and supple, finishing with freshness that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Winemaking Notes
The Derey family has been established in Marsannay since the mid-17th century, and their work focuses on organic farming and gentle cellar practices. The 2021 vintage, cooler and classic in style, emphasizes delicacy over power.

Food Pairing
Perfect with roast chicken, duck breast, mushroom risotto, or a charcuterie board. Its finesse makes it versatile across light meats and earthy vegetarian dishes.

Verdict
A graceful Burgundy Pinot that captures Marsannay’s balance between Côte de Nuits structure and charming approachability. For me, this sits as one of my most favorite wines in the Côte de Nuits — at a very affordable price point, it punches well above its weight and shows how Burgundy can still deliver tremendous value.

📚 Educational Sidebar – Why Marsannay Matters
Marsannay, at the northern gateway of the Côte de Nuits, is often overshadowed by its neighbors like Gevrey-Chambertin. But its wines deliver exceptional value, showing Pinot Noir with purity, finesse, and terroir character — a smart entry point into Burgundy without the Grand Cru price tag. Cheers! — 8 months ago

Ted

9.3

Digging this watching the final 4. Really good stuff. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Ropiteau – Bourgogne Chardonnay – 2024
Bourgogne AOC – Burgundy – France 🇫🇷

Overview
A regional Bourgogne Chardonnay that highlights the accessible and versatile side of Burgundy. Crafted to be approachable, clean, and easygoing, this wine reflects the broader regional style, fresh, balanced, and unfussy, without the intensity of village-level expressions.

Aromas & Flavors
Light citrus, green apple, and subtle orchard fruit, with a gentle hint of floral tones. Straightforward and clean, without heavy oak influence.

Mouthfeel
Light to light-plus body with moderate acidity. Smooth, approachable, and easy on the palate, offering a soft and balanced finish without sharp edges.

Food Pairings
Grilled chicken, light pasta dishes, soft cheeses, salads, or casual appetizers. Also works effortlessly as a standalone sipper.

Verdict
A simple yet well-executed Chardonnay that delivers exactly what it promises, clean, approachable, and versatile. Not about complexity, but about everyday enjoyment and wide appeal.

Did You Know?
“Bourgogne” AOC wines can source grapes from across the entire Burgundy region, making them ideal entry points to understand the house style before stepping into village or Premier Cru wines.

🍷 Personal Pick
A perfect “anytime Chardonnay”, easy to enjoy, easy to pair, and a reminder that not every Burgundy needs to be complex to be satisfying. — a month ago

Ira Schwartz

9.1

When faced with a difficult list, I will always go with Crochet if it’s there. Consistency and a fair price. — 7 months ago

Mark S.

9.1

Slightly herbaceous. Citrus green apple. Chalk flint featured this region. Rich. With elegancy. Good match with seafood. Sweetness. Highly balanced! 13.5% Sancerre Le Chene Marchand Pascal Jolivet 22 @5280, Toscan, 250727-250921 — 9 months ago

Damian Walch

9.0

A bright medium ruby color and an elegant, red-fruited profile. On the nose, it opens with fresh cherry, raspberry, and red currant, layered with subtle rose petal and a touch of forest floor and wet stone. The palate is refined rather than powerful, carrying through with cranberry and cherry notes supported by lively acidity and silky, fine tannins. There’s a gentle earthy undertone and a hint of white pepper or baking spice that adds complexity without weight. The finish is clean and medium in length, lingering on fresh red fruit and mineral tones, making it balanced, food-friendly, and distinctly Old World in style rather than bold or extracted. — 2 months ago

Herb Listen

9.4

London Thanksgiving with Cheryl. Love this burgundy. At the 45 Park Lane at CUT. Wolfgang Puck restaurant — 5 months ago

LM Segal

9.5

As good a Sancerre as I’ve ever tasted, haunting salinity. Miles to go. — 9 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

Just OK on day one. After 2 days on my Argon line. Cardamom, Allspice, forest notes, tannins integrated, black tea, orange rind and dark cherries. I prefer the Suchots from the same vintage. Over all i don’t think that Pascal Marchand did a good job in 2010. I am surprised that he did not better with Grand Cru fruit in a good vintage. May be picked too early? 13% . — 3 years ago