The 50 Best Red Burgundy Wines of the 21st Century

The Pillot family has grown vines in Chassagne-Montrachet since 1625 and were well known as barrel makers until the 19^th century. The estate is currently run by fourth-generation vintner Laurent Pillot and his son Adrien. Their domain consists of 50 parcels across 22 appellations and represents a total of 37 acres. We tasted their 2018 Les Charmots with them and were duly impressed. It had aromas and flavors of bright cherry, black raspberry, and red plum with silky soft tannins.

Vincent Girardin was born into a winemaking family in Santenay and in 1980 at the age of 19 he founded his eponymous winery in Meursault. Maison Vincent Girardin makes wines in 11 villages in the Côte de Beaune including this delightful wine from Volnay. Upon release it was only $50 and when tasted in 2017 it was vibrant and youthful with flavors of cherry, candied orange peel, and cinnamon.

In the 1960s at the age of 55 Antonin Guyon began purchasing parcels of land and by 1970 he and his son, Dominique had acquired 350 plots of vines spread over 55 acres. We tasted this excellent wine in 2017 and at that time it had aromas of fresh-picked strawberry, fresh cherry, and dried lavender with flavors of ripe red fruits and a touch of spice in the finish.

The Evenstad family began their wine journey in 1989 when they founded Domaine Serene in Dundee Hills in Oregon and in 2015, they acquired the Chateau de la Crée in Santenay and began Domaine Evenstad in 2021. Their Les Petits Noizons 2015 has aromas of ripe red fruits and spice and flavors of black cherry, red raspberry, and caramelized orange peel.

Domaine des Perdrix is owned by the Devillard family who also owns Domaine du Chateau de Chamirey, La Ferté, Domaine de la Garenne, and Domain Rolet. They purchased Domaine des Perdrix in 1996, and the estate now extends over 30 acres in Vosne-Romanée, Nuits Saint Georges, and Echézeaux. This delightful Echézeaux has aromas and flavors of blue fruits, rolled tobacco leaf, red cherry, and brown baking spices with fine grained tannins. 

Michel Bouchard was a cloth merchant in the early 18^th century who moved to Beaune in 1731 and purchased his first parcels of land in the Premier Cru Les Combes plot in Pommard together with his son, Joseph. Today the estate is owned by Artémis Domaines and by the 2025 vintage all of the estate’s vineyards have become certified organic. This 2005 was tasted in 2010 and at that time it exhibited aromas and flavors of black raspberry, black currant, and brown baking spices. 

Winemaker Mounir Saouma worked at a Trappist monastery and discovered his love of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His infatuation led him to study viticulture and oenology in Montpellier and then make wine in Burgundy and California. His wife Rotem studied agriculture and wine in Dijon and joined Mounir to found Lucien Le Moine in 1999. Their 2005 Les Vaucrains is big and bold with polished tannins and flavors of cherry, red plum, and raspberry.

We had the opportunity to try the 2023 Richebourg before public release at a DRC portfolio tasting in New York City. It is a well-made wine that belongs in the famed halls of Domaine de la Romanée Conti stardom and is certainly one of our top 50 Burgundies of the 21^st century to date—however we both recognized that it was still a bit young and needed more time to reach its potential. We recommend buying it now and cellaring it for a decade or more.

Louis Henri Denis Jadot founded his eponymous maison in 1859 and was a well-known negociant in the Northern European markets. In 1900 Louis Jean Baptiste Jadot purchased numerous vineyards including Corton Pouget and Chevalier Montrachet les Demoiselles. Louis Jadot 2015 Domaine de Héritiers from Corton-Pouget has an intense floral bouquet that includes honeysuckle and violet as well as cherry, plum, and raspberry. Sturdy tannins support flavors of ripe red fruits. 

Jean-Claude and Claudine Boisset founded their maison in 1961 and today it is under the direction of their son Jean-Charles Boisset and daughter Nathalie. The winery was constructed in 1717 but has been updated numerous times to reflect modern winemaking techniques. We tasted the 2005 in 2015 and it was still vibrant and full of youthfulness with aromas and flavors of tobacco leaf, dark cherry, plum, lavender, and a hint of cigar box in the finish. 

Domaine de la Vougeraie celebrated the 20^th anniversary of its founding when it made this wine in 2019. The estate is entirely biodynamically farmed, and the winemaking team utilizes a horse to plow their best plots. The 2019 Les Marconnets was only $69 on release but very few cases were imported to the U.S. When tasted it offered aromas and flavors of black cherry, cassis, and red plum with a nice long finish and pleasant touches of iron and iodine at the very end.

Winemaker Thibault Liger-Belair’s family has been in Nuits Saint Georges since 1720 and after attending winemaking school in Beaune he decided to create his eponymous domaine in 2001 when he was just 26 years old. His 2019 Chambolle-Musigny is made from old vines and has elegant floral top notes with notes of ripe red fruits and spice just below the surface. It is full bodied and juicy with balanced acidity.

Jacques Prieur passed away in 1965 and was followed by his wife in 1974, thus leaving the winery to their six children who ran it for a few years. They decided to sell in 1988 and were happy when five prominent French families united and purchased the estate. Today these families are supported by the Prieur heirs in promoting the great terroirs of Burgundy. This 2019 Echézeaux has aromas and flavors of cassis, Bing cherry, and a touch of Asian spice on the mid palate. The tannins are silky smooth, and the finish goes on for a long, long time.

Domaine des Lambrays was acquired by LVMH in 2014 and continues to make excellent wines that are respected by critics and collectors alike. Visitors to the estate will marvel at the pristine 17^th-century castle and impressive garden featuring a large collection of orchids and roses. Their 2019 flagship bottling exhibits well-integrated acidity that supports flavors of red currant, cherry, brown baking spices, and wet river rocks. 

Jean-Nicolas Méo is very well respected in the Côte de Nuits and his wines are sought out by collectors around the world. His 2019 Clos de Vougeot has aromas of cherry, plum, and red raspberry with bright acidity upon entry and juicy flavors of red cherry and red raspberry supported by sturdy tannins.

Olivier Leflaive is a family-run house that was founded in 1984 and now employs over 50 people working across the business. It is one of the most well-known names in Burgundy with great accessibility to its wines. The 2019 Clos des Angles tasted upon release was vibrant and energetic with aromas and flavors of black raspberry, cherry, caramelized orange peel, and a touch of vanilla in the post palate. 

The Clos de Vougeot comprises 128 acres of vines with more than 80 different owners and multiple subdivisions of its many plots. The average vine age here is approximately 40 years and the resulting grapes have bold fruit flavors and cellaring potential of 20 years. We tasted the 2019 in 2025 and found aromas and flavors of cassis, purple flower, and black cherry accented by soft tannins and brown baking spices in the finish. It still has a lot of life so enjoy it over the next 15 years.

Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair was founded by agricultural engineer and winemaker Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair in 2000 with the goal of making wine from his family’s historical vineyards. The domain began when his ancestor Louis Liger-Belair, a general in Napoleon’s army, purchased the Chateau de Vosne in 1815. Comte Louis-Michel currently grows 26 acres of vines in Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-Saint-Georges, and Flagey-Echézeaux, and we’re always happy to taste his wines when we attend a Chevalier du Tastevin dinner at the Chateau du Clos du Vougeot or when we visit Beaune. His 2009 Vosne Romanée showed aromas and flavors of dark cherry, black licorice, and a touch of eucalyptus in the finish. The tannins are silky and smooth—a stunning wine.

We specifically remember trying this DRC Echézaux at the portfolio tasting on March 8, 2023, and thinking that you could feel the calm energy of the growing season emanating from the glass. We always remember the 2020 vintage was during the height of the Covid pandemic and the vineyards were devoid of planes flying overhead, automobiles speeding past, and tourists snapping photographs at its iconic gate. On that day it showed bright and vibrant red fruit characteristics including cherry, raspberry, and plum with already silky tannins and smooth mouth feel. 

Clos de Ursules is a walled vineyard that has been owned by the Jadot family since 1826 and to this day remains one of their flagship wines. Named for the Ursuline nuns who previously owned the land the enclave is quite small at only three acres. This delicious 2019 wine sourced from the clos shows red plum, cherry, cigar box, and cinnamon aromas and flavors.

Alex Gambal was born in America but left the United States with dreams of becoming a winemaker in Burgundy. He attended Lyćee Viticole in Beaune and in 1997 he founded Maison Alex Gambal, which was acquired by the Boisset family in 2019. We tasted his 2005 Les Charmes in 2015 and it had aromas and flavors of lavender, violet, red plum, and black cherry with soft, velvety tannins.

Maison Leroy was founded in 1868 when Francois Leroy established a negociant business in Auxey-Duresses and 120 years later Madame Leroy purchased additional estates and started Domaine Leroy. At that time all the vineyards were converted to biodynamic principles. Domaine Leroy 2009 Richebourg was tasted in 2019 and it still exhibited a great deal of youthfulness. It had aromas and flavors of caramelized orange, cinnamon, cherry, plum, and raspberry with vibrant acidity and silky soft tannins.

Owned in partnership by the Labruyère family and the founder’s descendants, Jacques Prieur’s winemaking has been directed by Nadine Gublin since 1990. The synergy of her hand, a phenomenal season, and the singular terroir of this southeast-facing locale on the Corton Hill created a wine of remarkable concentration and depth. Fruit, spice, and earthiness are supported by supple tannins and vivid acidity that will go on strong for another 15 years.

Maison Joseph Drouhin is currently run by the four great grandchildren—Frederic, Veronique, Philippe, and Laurent—of its namesake founder. They are a member of the PFV Primum Familiae Vini, an international association of some of the world’s best wine-producing families. Their 2015 Charmes Chambertin has aromas and flavors of black raspberry, cherry, and cinnamon with generous tannins and a touch of spice in the long finish.

The Latour family has owned part of Les Quatre Journaux, just southwest of Romanée Saint Vivant, since 1898. The name comes from an old Burgundian word for a measurement of a plot of land and today Maison Louis Latour owns just about two acres of Romanée Saint Vivant. This tasty wine has flavors of purple flowers, cherry, and red raspberry with balanced acidity and velvety tannins. 

Etienne Grivot took over from his father Jean in 1987 and about 10 years ago he turned over the reins to his daughter Mathilde. The domaine currently has 37 acres with plots in Clos de Vougeot, Echézeaux, and Richbourg. This delightful wine was made by Etienne and has ethereal aromas of ripe red fruits accented by spice. Flavors of brown baking spice, red raspberry, and red cherry supported by sturdy tannins can be found in the midpalate.

Having inherited vineyards in the Côte de Nuits in 1902 when he was just 18, Armand Rousseau grew his holdings and reputation until he passed in 1959. Made by his grandson Eric Rousseau—who now runs the domain with his daughter, Cyrielle—the 2002 Chambertin Grand Cru is a paradigm of balance and power. Blackberry, black cherry, bouquet garni, and anisette flavors are layered within impeccable tannins and acidity that will help it age for many more years.

Sourced from two iconic Burgundy vineyards—Echézeaux du Dessus, planted in 1922, and Quartiers de Nuits, planted in 1945—this gorgeous bottling was born in a vintage known for its opulent ripeness, power, and balance. Rich flavors of red fruit flavors are accented by a touch of salinity, caramelized orange peel, and brown baking spices in a sheath of silky tannins.

Established in 1880 when François Tollot planted vineyards around Chorey-les-Beaune, the domaine passed to his son Alexandre and his wife Aurélie Beaut in 1921. Today it is run by cousins Natalie, Jean-Paul, and Olivier Tollot, with Jean-Paul heading up winemaking and Olivier overseeing the organically farmed vineyards. From a privileged site on the Corton Hill, this sumptuous wine presents with flavors of cassis, pomegranate, lavender, and Mediterranean herbs swathed in a casing of plush tannins. You can drink now or hold for 15 more years.

Acquired by Philippe Pascal and his family in 2004, the historic Clos du Cellier aux Moines was founded in 1113 by 12 Cistercian monks. Having left the Abbey de Cîteaux, they established this as the Abbey La Ferté-sur-Grosne and immediately planted vines to make wine. Although it was in disrepair for many years, the estate has been significantly upgraded by Pascal, whose efforts have raised the standing of the entire region. This delectable (and undervalued, in our opinion) premier cru has aromas of cherry, cinnamon, and candied orange peel with flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, and red raspberry encased in lustrous tannins.

Contiguous to Romanée-Conti and La Romanée, Richebourg’s 20 acres are held by 11 storied producers. Crafted by winemaker and proprietor Jean-Nicolas Méo, Méo-Camuzet 2005 Richebourg shows the power and elegance of both the illustrious site and incredible vintage. A bouquet of cassis, raspberry, peony, and cedar chest transfers seamlessly to the palate, where the same flavors are encased in a gossamer web of sleek tannins.

The largest grand cru monopole in Burgundy, Clos de Tart’s 18-acre site in Morey-Saint-Denis has had only four owners since being established by Cistercian nuns in 1141. Aromas of pomegranate, rose petal, and aniseed prepare the palate for flavors of black cherry, rose water, and clove with a hint of coffee been on the expressive finish. This exquisite wine will hold for another 15 years. 

From a site abutting the Romanée-Conti and Richebourg Vineyards in Vosne-Romanée, the current release of this bottling sells for less than a third the price of its more famous sibling. From one of the best vintages of the century, its graceful structure supports red fruit flavors intertwined with bold floral and earthy notes.

Established in 1720, by cooper Edmé Champy, Maison Champy is said to be the oldest wine company in Burgundy. With a Gustave Eiffel-designed winery built over 15th century cellars and 52 acres of organic vineyards mainly in the Côte de Beaune, it remains one of the region’s most respected producers. The 2015 Echézeaux has flavors of cassis, cedar, and eucalyptus encased in a grid of delightfully firm tannins.

Challenging weather in 2010 led to low yields but highly concentrated fruit across Burgundy. In difficult years like this, the best plots from the finest producers truly shine. This remarkable bottling, the jewel in the crown of this top Chambolle-Musigny producer, is sourced from Grand Cru estate vineyards whose average vine age is more than 50 years. Deeply nuanced with gorgeous layers of fruit, flower, and spice amid downy tannins, it should continue to drink well for another two decades.

The only grand cru monopole in Burgundy other than DRC that bears the name of its owner (the Faiveley family), Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos de Cortons Faiveley is from a walled vineyard on the Corton Hill. This full-bodied selection’s velvety tannins, well-integrated acidity, and flavors of raspberry, dried cranberry, nutmeg, and vanilla will power on for another 20 years.

Since its founding in 1859, Maison Louis Jadot has grown to become one of Burgundy’s largest and most renowned wine producers. Crafted with grapes from a grand cru plot first planted by monks from the Abbey of Bèze in 640, this wine from a highly regarded season is still drinking well. While tannins have softened and some of the power has faded, the fruit and acidity are still going strong.

Hailing from a famed grand cru in Morey-Saint-Denis, this organically and biodynamically farmed wine was crafted by Jacques Devauges. Under his leadership, the walled vineyard was separated into 12 individual parcels, which are vinified separately and blended to create this spectacular wine. Flavors of Mission fig, cherry, and butterscotch are enveloped in a layer of refined tannins.

One of the founders of the esteemed Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin and the famed—and fun—Le Paulée de Meursault, Jacques Prieur inherited his Meursault wine estate from his great-aunt and uncle in 1920. From an incredible vintage and a prized plot on the Corton hill, this dazzling wine’s polished tannins support flavors of cassis and raspberry wrapped around a mineral core.

Established in Nuit-Saint-Georges in 1825 by Pierre Faiveley, the house is run today by siblings Erwan and Eve Faiveley, members of the seventh generation. From the northern tip of Echezeaux, bordering Chambolle-Musigny, this energetic pour has flavors of Simka plum, cassis, cedarwood, and baking spices wrapped in a layer of sumptuous tannins.

Anne Parent and her sister Catherine took over the family estate in 1998 and represent the 12^th generation of the Parent family to run the domaine. Anne is the first female winemaker in their lineage, and we think she is an amazing talent as well as a vocal advocate for female winemakers in France. Her 2019 Les Chanlins is simply stunning and has aromas and flavors of red raspberry and bright cherry accented by a touch of smoke and spice.

Run today by the granddaughters of the count, this storied Chambolle-Musigny estate dates to 1450 and owns about three-quarters of the 27-acre Musigny Grand Cru. Their Vielles Vignes bottling is considered the apex of the appellation. Simultaneously elegant and forceful, it shows flavors of raspberry, cherry, and peony with a strong vein of minerality. 

One of DRC’s famed vineyards, La Tâche continues to be among our constant favorites when tasting through their current line up or when we’re lucky to enjoy an older vintage at a dinner with friends. This 2005 was tasted in 2012 and at that time it had aromas and flavors of cassis, black raspberry compote, and fennel frond with excellent structure and minerality.

With 39 acres across Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis, almost half of which are Grand Cru, the fourth generation of the Rousseau family continues to maintain this as one of the finest domaines in the Côte de Nuits. From a sensational Grand Cru vineyard and a vintage of outstanding quality, this powerful wine offers striking complexity. 

Jean Méo inherited Domaine Camuzet from his aunt in 1959 and changed the name to Méo-Camuzet in 1981. Run today by his son Jean-Nicolas Méo, it may be the second-most famous winery in Vosne Romanée. The 2015 Clos de Vougeot will drink perfectly for another 20 years. It has aromas and flavors of dark cherry, blue fruits, and brown baking spices with silky soft tannins and generous mouthfeel. 

From the famed walled monopole in Vosne Romanée, this is considered one of the greatest vintages of the 21st century. If you can get hold of a bottle, it currently sells for around 10 times its original release price. Luscious from the first sip, it offers unparalleled depth and complexity.

Maison Leroy was founded by wine negociant Francois Leroy in 1868 and in 1942 his grandson Henri Leroy acquired shares in Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. In 1988 the estate became Domaine Leroy and all of the vineyards were converted to biodynamic grape growing. We tasted the 2010 a few years after release and found it to have an ethereal bouquet of red raspberry, red cherry, and crushed oyster shell. An amazing wine with great persistency.

Founded in 1863 by Frédéric Mugnier and run today by his descendants, Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier is one of the Côte de Nuits’s finest producers. Their 2015 Musigny Grand Cru has luscious notes of black cherry, purple flowers, and an enduring sense of earthiness. This will hold for another two decades.

Domaine Dujac was founded by Jacques Seysses in 1968 when he purchased Domaine Graillet and renamed it as a tongue in cheek pun for “domaine owned by Jacques.” All kidding aside, his wines are considered otherworldly by critics and collectors including ourselves. Amazing aromas and flavors of black raspberry and crushed violet petals held together by a sturdy tannic structure.

A legendary wine from a legendary vineyard made by a legendary producer in a legendary year. Domaine de la Romanée Conti DRC is the most sought-after wine in the world, and for good reason. From an exceptional season across Burgundy, this luscious bottling offers gorgeous aromas of lavender, clove, and candied orange that lead to a perfectly balanced sip offering polished tannins, brilliant acidity, and a finish that you wish would never end.