The unmissable domain Jean-Marc Burgaud has been producing beautiful and ageable Beaujolais, especially Côte de Py for almost 30 years. The grapes are picked perfectly ripped and wines are matured in aged barrels with small wood impact. Each bottle is a demonstration of the domain mastery, knowledge of its terroir. iDealwine had no choice but to choose it as our Allocation of the week.
Founded in 1989, the domain celebrates this year its 30th anniversary. Nowadays, it is one of the greats of Beaujolais. The domain became famous after 1992 when he took over his in-law’s vineyards in the Côte de Py. The majority of its 19 hectares of vines is located in the Morgon appellation.
Heir of a long family history in the Beaujolais winemaking, he wants to keep on with the region traditions, style and methods. Limited weeding and minimalist foliar treatment, the common sense is the key of his wine-growing methods.
Where the vines are on relatively poor soils, especially where the bedrocks are almost on surface, Jean-Marc Burgaud thinks it’s essential to protect the vine and carefully work the soils. He adapts the cutting to the specificity of each terroir. The cutting of the parcel “La Pente”, situated in the Côte de Py, needs to protect the vine against excessive sun exposure: the branches are attached to protect the grapes from any sunburn and are cut just before the harvest. This specific vineyard management adapted to each parcel goes on in the winemaking. The domain Jean-Marc Burgaud produces distinct cuvées for each parcel. Inspired by his training in Burgundy, he tries to make wines that reflect the specificity of each climat. The cuvée Javernières is produced from a 0.5 hectares parcel with clay soils, it will charm you with its elegance, finesse. The cuvée James, a blend of several of the domain greatest terroirs, can taste more serious and ascetic when drunken young but develops a rare complexity and balance after some years.
Jean-Marc Burgaud wines are the perfect example of great Beaujolais typicity with affordable prices.
What the guides say about domain Jean-Marc Burgaud
Guide Vert
Since the domain was established in 1989, Jean-Marc Burgaud has become one of the blue chips of our guide. His training in Burgundy leaded him to split his domain by terroir and produce specific cuvées but also leaded him to conduct long oak-ageing (sometimes 2 winters), destemming or not depending on the vintage and the wine. His winemaking process gives a velvety texture to the gamay, stabilized by an oak-maturation (mostly in old barriques), set accordingly to the specificity of each climat (mostly in Morgon). He also produces Régnié and Beaujolais-Villages (on granitic soils).
Bettane&Desseauve
3 stars
Jean-Marc Burgaud owns vineyards mainly in Morgon, with beautiful parcels of the famous Côte de Py. His winemaking techniques produce wines that must age. The vintage 2015 was specifically successful. The high-altitude Beaujolais-Villages, located in Lantignié, are exceptionally qualitive and overcome a lot of crus.
