DOMAINE JACQUES PRIEUR

BURGUNDY, FRANCE 2020
 

Why Buy: Jacques Prieur is among the most prestigious names in Burgundy, but what is not talked about often enough is how wonderfully approachable these terroir-driven wines are. It's one reason such elite-class restaurants as The French Laundry of Napa and New York and Le Plaza Athénée of Paris have Prieur on their exalted wine lists. And at our recent taste-through of their portfolio, that approachability was front and center. We've selected nine wines for your consideration, all of them shimmering with the refinement and expressiveness that we have come to expect and love of Prieur. And – bonus – we're making them available to our Concierge Family at a best price of 20% OFF per bottle!

What They're Saying: Decanter praised the Clos de Mazeray Meursault 2020, singling out, in a 93-point rave, its "breadth," "freshness," and "balance," and noting that the whites from Prieur are now "barreled down with more lees ... and the new oak is held in check." Vinous was equally high on the 93-point Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 2020, with Neal Martin hailing its "ripe, velvety opening" and "plush and seductive" palate, and concluding: "I cannot help falling for this Gevrey ..."

The Story: To say that Jacques Prieur is on the rise might seem like a misnomer; this is, after all, one of the most prestigious houses in all of Burgundy, and the only one to own holdings in five of the region's most famous Grand Cru vineyards: Les Echézeaux, Le Chambertin, Le Musigny, Le Montrachet, Le Corton. But after a decade-long dip in the late '90s and early aughts caused by squabbles at the top among shareholders, its star dimmed. Those problems are, today, in the distant past. Edouard Labruyère, who took command in 2008, has pushed a return to classicism, and pushed hard. The focus, today, is on terroir, which has moved operations away from the heavy, earthy wines of yesteryear and toward far more elegant, sophisticated, and charming expressions. The winemaker is the renowned Nadine Gublin, who first came to wide acclaim in 1997, when the Revue du Vin de France, the country’s leading wine journal, named her “Winemaker of the Year."

Our Tasting Notes: The output from this estate in recent years, as it’s gone back to the future, have been remarkable. In lieu of going into extensive detail about all nine wines, we will speak, instead, about what stood out to us more generally. First among these was the purity of expression on display, and that was the case for both the reds and the whites; these are carefully delineated wines, with clearly defined goals. The whites tease with their crispness and clarity, but what surprises – and seduces – is their depth, which keeps you marveling as you swirl and sip. The reds, meanwhile, pull off a smooth double, in managing to be so nimble and expressive, while still coming across with solidity and weight.

Fun Fact: Edouard Labruyère did not just expand into Burgundy when he took over operations of the estate; in 2016, he also planted a flag in India, investing in Grover Zampa Vineyards, one of the  oldest wine producers in the subcontinent.

Our Guarantee: We always buy and source direct, so rest assured: your wines will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Secure your order today!

*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in CT, KS, MA, MI, NM, NY, NC, TN, or Store 209 (Manassas, VA). This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Monday, February 12th, 2024.

*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund.  No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.