Edmond Monnot Maranges 1er cru ‘La Fussieres’ 2019

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate sums up the ’19 red Burgs with “Revisited from bottle, the 2019 vintage has fulfilled the promise I saw in it last year. The reds are stunning young wines, notable for their aromatic range and sensual textures, and they show no signs of shutting down in bottle….Looking further back in time, I’m tempted to invoke comparisons with 1964…”

That’s rather high praise.

Places like Maranges are far off the Rue Nationale but may just be one of the last great spots to uncover. It’s here where some of the most thrilling wines are being produced. Maranges’ 1er crus from estates like my new friend, Stéphane Monnot’s, are built upon old vines, dug deep into crazy mineral soils, that produce wines at a such a high qualitative level that many mistake them for their neighbors further north: Volnay, Gevrey-Chambertin or Vosne-Romanee.

Of course, in a short vintage like 2019 those neighbors to the north are going to cost 3 to 5 times what today’s wine will set you back. Unlucky for us, like his northern neighbors, Stéphane’s brilliant white and red Burgundies are just as rare.

For my money though the choice is a no-brainer. Stephane Monnot and his scarce but lights out 2019s, are must-buys for any discriminating Burgundy buyer that would prefer to have 3 bottles of Maranges rather than just one of most Gevrey Chambertin. They are special wines. Don’t miss out!