Top 10 Bourgogne Rouge According to Me

I'll admit I don't drink as much Bourgogne Rouge as I used to as I've got better access to higher end appellations for prices much better than most of these via 3-tier. Bourgogne Rouge used to be a value but really isn't anymore (except through Fass Selections) as with all things Burgundy the price has gone up. But this list, even with the price increases is as good as it gets I believe and has depth and scope that a lot of these types of lists don't have. There is an all encompassing quality level that must be discussed here and that is Bourgogne Rouge which can mean many different things. Technically it is a wine that can be sourced from all of the Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune or Cote Chalonnaise. Some producers will mix southern Beaune juice with northern Beaune juice and that is their Bourgogne. Others have a vineyard right outside of the designated village of say Volnay or Fixin and they classify that wine as Bourgogne Rouge. It is really on a producer by producer basis but Bourgogne Rouge still can be a good deal. These typically retail for between $19 and $50.

1. Robert Chevillon - They actually make a killer Passetougrains as well but that's for another top 10 list. I've drunk an ocean of this as it is always an over performer. Like a baby NSG without the complexity. Terrific body, rustic charm and even a tiny bit of finesse. Great mouthfeel and ages for 5-7 years. Top class. Looks like you can get it between $34-$50 for recent vintages.
2. Mugneret Gibourg - This is Unicorn Bourgogne Rouge and can pass blind as a NSG or VR villages wine. It's remarkable stuff. This comes from a small parcel in vines that were once classified as Vosne Romanee. It has structure to age and has decadent fruit and spices. Rustic yet deep. What a remarkable spread in pricing. Zachy's has the 14 for $24.99 (great deal!!) and Morrel has the 13 for $87.88 (piss poor deal!!). That's nuts.
3. Francois Raquillet - I used to sell this but no longer work with Francois. I still love and adore his wines. This is just a delicious wine and at the $19.99 I sold it for a stupid deal. Juicy, fat cherries, pungent aromas and great structure that will surely make this improve with short term cellaring. I don't know as I've never gotten that far. It's too damn good in its youth. It can be found for between $22-$25.
4. A et P Villaine - This is Aubert de Villaine's home estate where he makes gorgeous and charmingly rustic wines that age surprisingly well for mid term cellaring. These are sourced all from the Cote Chalonnaise as Aubert lives in Bouzeron. He makes three outstanding single vineyard Bourgogne Rouges. La Digoine, La Fortune and Les Clous are their names and they can be had for between $35-$49. Rustic, full of fruit, earth and intense minerality these actually need to age and I like them between 4-9 years old depending on the cuvée. Very structured, honest and old school wines.
5. Isabelle and Denis Pommier - They make one wine that is from vineyards near Chablis and I call it Red Chablis because that's what it is. It is dazzlingly pure, fresh and effusively red fruited. Juicy as can be with terrific volume and amplitude. Very complex as well. Not much in the finesse department but it makes up for it with amplitude and density to burn. All this for $19.99.
6. Billard-Gonnet - I haven't ever offered his wine as only for a bit more you can drink 1er Cru Pommard. But I would as it is so good. From declassified Pommard vineyards, the wine is juicy and full of fruit. Dense and mineral this has structure for short term aging and so much body. A great value for between $24-$27.
7. Jean Grivot - A master of Richebourg and Clos Vougeot as well as multiple Vosne Romanee and Nuits St. Georges 1er Crus but don't pass up the Bourgogne Rouge up as it is a scorcher. Chewy and dense with loads of spice and richness. Terrific volume and power with a charming minerality and great mouthfeel. For around $40 it's a great wine for now and later.
8. Denis Bachelet - One of my favorites and never disappoints. Can outdo many a village wine and is structured like a brick wall. This is a very serious wine. From right near Gevrey this is like a baby Gevrey with thrilling levels of fruit and is always an over performer. I sell it for around $40 and it can get pricey and some people have it for $70!
9. Michel Lafarge - Another one that can be delicious in its youth but benefits greatly from age. Like a baby Volnay. Creamy with dazzling cherry fruit and lovely sweetness. Loads of stones and tiny berry fruit intensity. Super aromatic. I like it 5-7 years after vintage. For between $20 and $50.
10. Simon Bize - The Bourgogne "Les Perrieres" is always a terrific wine and defines the term charmingly rustic. Sourced from vineyards around Savigny this has a wonderful earthy charm, some funk, deep brambly fruits and super serious depth.