Four bottles and stockists at under €30.
Bourgogne Pinot Noir Jean Grivot 2005, 12.5%, €21
Jean Grivot is one of the best names in Vosne-Romanée. If I had the money, I would certainly invest in his premiers and grand crus. However I don't, so I bought a half-dozen bottles of this wine, one of the most wonderful red wines I have tasted in recent months. It has a sweet and sexy ripe nose, scented the way only Côte de Nuits can be; good acidity, refreshing, piquant, but perfectly ripe cherry and plum fruits, with some tannins, and excellent length. Perfect with roast mallard and a risotto.
Stockist:Burgundy Direct 01-2896615
Bourgogne Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg 2005, 12.5%, €30
Mugneret-Gibourg is another of the best producers in the Côte de Nuits. Bigger and broader than the wine above, but perfect in its own way. A fragrant quite spicy nose, lovely, pure tangy sweet-sour cherries, with some very seductive new oak.
Stockists:On the Grapevine Dalkey; Cabot & Co, Westport, www.cabotandcompany.com
Bourgogne 'Les Perrières' Domaine Simon Bize 2005, 12.5%, €22
Patrick Bize makes some of the lightest, ethereal wines, classic Côte de Beaune in Savigny-les- Beaune. This wine is amazingly seductive with perfectly ripe, but delicate cherries and other summer fruits. Best with lighter meat dishes. A plainly roasted chicken would be perfect.
Stockists:McCabes, Blackrock and Foxrock; Vanilla Grape, Kenmare and www.thestoreroom.ie
Bourgogne 'Cuvée de Noble Souche' Domaine Denis Mortet 2006, 13%, €26
This wowed the entire family and a visiting friend. Less ripe than the 2005s above, it more than made up for it with some refreshing tangy red fruits, and a class that shone through with every sip. A roast of pork would do nicely. Stockist:Burgundy Direct