Bitouzet-Prieur 2023

I have watched for more than 10 years now as François Bitouzet has quietly elevated Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur into a powerhouse producer in the Côte de Beaune. The white wines have been at a very high level for some time now, but what has really impressed me lately are the reds. With the work François has done at the domaine, combined with these warmer vintages, they are consistently producing some head-turning wines as well.

It’s like I tell people, you don’t just flip a switch and all of a sudden start producing excellent wines. It’s all the little things added together that year after year make your wines that much better. Great wine starts in the vineyards, and the move toward organic farming when he took over in 2012 certainly put François on the right path. It also helps to inherit an enviable collection of vineyards, and to have the ability to build a state-of-the-art winery that allows you to vinify and age the wines exactly as you want, rather than having to bottle simply to make room for the next harvest.

Beaune 1er Cru Cent Vignes is unique at the domaine, as it is their only red wine outside of Volnay. This premier cru sits on the northern side of Beaune, where its clay-limestone soils produce a wine with beautiful aromatics, substance and depth, while still maintaining plenty of elegance. François keeps the winemaking traditional, with gentle extraction and élevage in barrel, and the 2023 has that extra generosity and openness of the vintage that makes it particularly enjoyable right now.

I’ve found the quality of the Cent Vignes the last several years to be exceptional especially when you consider the price. Its harder and harder with each passing year to find wines that deliver this sort of depth at a price that is not approaching $100. At $59 this is one of the best Red Burgundy buys in the store. Don’t Miss!