Thinking of attending La Paulée in 2025? Here were our favorite parts of La Paulée 2024.
La Paulée de Los Angeles brings some of the world’s finest domaines together to celebrate the rich heritage of Burgundy wines. This illustrious event, inspired by the traditional Burgundian harvest festival, La Paulée de Meursault, showcases an exquisite array of tastings, grand dinners, and a prestigious auction. Held over several days, wine enthusiasts gather to explore exclusive vintages presented by top Burgundy producers in a series of events that blend luxury, culture, and the art of winemaking. From intimate dinners featuring Michelin-starred chefs to elaborate tastings that traverse the depth of Burgundy’s offerings, La Paulée de Los Angeles offers a rare glimpse into the world of fine wines.
The La Paulée Los Angeles Auction
Amidst the excitement of La Paulée de Los Angeles, the wine auction hosted by Acker Wines stands as a highlight for connoisseurs and collectors alike. Set as a live bidding party, this event invites enthusiasts to engage in the thrilling atmosphere of a real-time auction, where the gavel falls on some of the most coveted bottles. Featuring rare and exquisite wines sourced directly from the cellars of esteemed Burgundy domaines, alongside specially curated collections from the world’s top cellars, the auction presents an unparalleled opportunity to acquire unique vintages. This is a chance to experience the vibrant energy of the auction world, and enjoy the myriad of world class wines that the attendees bring to drink throughout. During this event you'll also see collectors popping some of the most iconic and rare wines to enjoy with others at the auction. This is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the finest wines Burgundy has to offer.
The Verticals Tasting
One of the highlights of La Paulée de Los Angeles is the Verticals Tasting held at the elegant Maybourne Beverly Hills. This unique tasting event features three-vintage verticals of signature wines from each participating domaine, allowing connoisseurs to experience the evolution and depth of some of Burgundy's finest vintages. While most domaines showcase selections from the 2010s, several notable exceptions offer a glimpse into older, esteemed vintages. These include Maison Louis Jadot's Clos Vougeot Grand Cru from 2001, and Domaine Leflaive's Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes from 2005. This event not only highlights the timelessness and complexity of Burgundy wines but also provides a rare opportunity for attendees to delve deep into the history and nuances of each vineyard's production.
The Grand Tasting
The Grand Tasting at La Paulée de Los Angeles is an exquisite affair, taking place at the luxurious Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica. This event is the centerpiece of the festival, offering an immersive exploration of the most recent releases from Burgundy's esteemed domaines, spanning vintages from 2019 to 2021. The tasting is complemented by an abundance of Delamotte champagne, with the highlight being the hourly opening of Salon Le Mesnil bottles, adding an exclusive touch to the already festive atmosphere. Attendees also have the pleasure of savoring a variety of gourmet offerings prepared by top local chefs, bakers, and cheese shops, making the Grand Tasting not only a showcase for fine wines but also a celebration of culinary excellence. This combination of world-class wines and exceptional food crafts an unforgettable experience, highlighting the best of Burgundy and the local culinary scene in a glamorous setting.
The Gala Dinner
La Paulée's namesake Gala Dinner is the pinnacle event of the festival, celebrated with an extraordinary culinary showcase prepared by an ensemble of renowned chefs. Daniel Boulud of DANIEL, Walter Manzke of République and Bicyclette, Michael Cimarusti of Providence, Josiah Citrin of Citrin & Mélisse, and Dave Beran of Pasjoli will orchestrate a menu that matches the splendor of the wines on offer. True to the spirit of La Paulée de Meursault, guests are encouraged to bring select bottles from their own cellars to share, contributing to the event’s communal and generous atmosphere. This tradition transforms the dinner into a remarkable tasting journey, featuring legendary wines such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Petrus, enhancing the conviviality and grandeur of the evening. This event stands as a testament to the joy and unity that fine wine and food can inspire, making it a truly memorable close to the festivities of La Paulée.
The After Party
After the grandeur of La Paulée's Gala Dinner, the festivities continue into the night at an exclusive afterparty held at Wally's in Santa Monica. This lively gathering spot becomes a playground for the winemakers and attendees, where the champagne flows freely alongside luxurious caviar bumps, adding a decadent twist to the evening.
To complete the indulgent experience, a chartreuse station offers a unique tasting journey through this aromatic spirit, complementing the vibrant atmosphere. This afterparty not only extends the celebration but also offers a more relaxed setting where winemakers and wine enthusiasts can mingle, share stories, and enjoy the high spirits and fine tastes that cap off an unforgettable evening.
Best of La Paulée : The Reds
Nestled in the prestigious Morey-Saint-Denis region, Clos de Tart was founded in 1141 by the Tart Abbey Bernardine nuns, this ancient walled vineyard spans 7.53 hectares, making it one of the largest Grand Cru monopoles in Burgundy still intact today. In 2018, it was acquired by François Pinault's Artemis Group, ushering in a new era of meticulous stewardship. These wines exhibit a rich palette of ripe red and black cherries, blackcurrant, violets, and spices, underpinned by firm tannins and a lingering minerality that speaks eloquently of their terroir.
Our Favorites:
2015 Clos de Tart Grand Cru monopole
2016 Clos de Tart Grand Cru monopole
2019 Clos de Tart Grand Cru monopole
In the heart of Gevrey-Chambertin in Burgundy, Domaine Fourrier remains a stalwart producer under the guidance of Jean-Marie Fourrier, who took the reins in the early 1990s. With vines averaging over 50 years old across coveted appellations, including some parcels in the storied Grand Cru Clos Saint-Jacques, Fourrier's wines are celebrated for their purity, finesse, and precision. The wines are marked by vibrant red fruit flavors, delicate floral notes, and a distinctive silky texture that embody a minimalist philosophy: intervention is kept to a minimum to allow the wine to articulate a true, unadulterated taste of its vine's heritage and the unique soil of each parcel.
Our Favorites:
2019 Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
2019 Chambolle Musigny Vieilles Vignes
2021 Gevrey Chambertin La Combe aux Moines Vieilles Vignes
2021 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cherbaudes
Founded in 1872, Morey-Saint-Denis’s Domaine Ponsot has been a pioneer in clonal research, and has significantly influenced Burgundy's viticultural methods. Laurent Ponsot, who led the domaine until 2017, was among the first in the region to adopt practices such as late harvesting and minimal intervention winemaking, which have now become hallmarks of quality in the region. Domaine Ponsot is particularly renowned for its remarkable holdings in Grand Cru vineyards, including the rare Clos de la Roche. The wines from Ponsot have robust structure and longevity, showcasing deep, intense flavors of dark fruits, earth, and spices, with an underlying elegance and balance that becomes more pronounced with age.
Our Favorites:
2017 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Vieilles Vignes
2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Vieilles Vignes
2021 Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru
Other Notable Bottles:
2015 Hospices de Beaune Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru 'Cuvee Madeleine Collignon'
2017 Nicole Lamarche Aux Malconsorts
2018 Domaine Duroche Vosne-Romanee
2021 Clos de la Chapelle ‘Clos de la Chapelle’s
Best of La Paulée : The Whites
Domaine des Comtes Lafon was established in 1869 by Jules Lafon, and is celebrated for its exceptional Meursaults. Under the meticulous stewardship of Dominique Lafon since 1984, the domaine has embraced biodynamic practices, further enhancing the natural expression of its prestigious terroir. Comtes Lafon’s Meursaults are precise, powerful and elegantly structured Chardonnays, which are characterized by a vibrant acidity, creamy texture, and a complex bouquet of citrus, orchard fruits, toasted nuts, and mineral undertones. Their Meursaults possess an impressive aging potential, maturing into beautifully nuanced wines that speak distinctly of their origins.
Our Favorites:
2014 Meursault 1er Cru Les Boucheres 2015 Meursault 1er Cru Les Bouchères en magnum
2020 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Perrieres
2021 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Charmes
Domaine de la Vougeraie is a younger winery, established in 1999, and is a beacon of modern winemaking philosophy intertwined with deep respect for Burgundian tradition. Situated in between Cotes-de-Nuits and Cote-de-Beaune, and owned by the Boisset family, this domaine unites some of the most cherished vineyards, totaling over 40 hectares. The domaine’s commitment to organic and biodynamic farming practices is a testament to its dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship, ensuring that each vineyard plot expresses its unique character. The whites have precise acidity, elegance, and complex layers of fruit and mineral notes. Each bottle captures the essence of its origins, showcasing the purity of fruit and the soil's influence, making Domaine de la Vougeraie a true artisan in the landscape of Burgundian wine.
Our Favorites:
2010 Vougeot 1er Cru Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot monopole
2015 Vougeot 1er Cru Le Clos Blanc de Vougeot monopole
2021 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot “Clos de la Chapelle”
Domaine Leflaive is one of the most celebrated and respected names in white wine production worldwide. Established in 1717, but truly coming into its own in the 20th century under the visionary leadership of Anne-Claude Leflaive, the domaine has been a pioneer in biodynamic farming since 1997. Their wines demonstrate extraordinary complexity, elegance, and longevity, and stand out for their precise minerality, depth of flavor, and balanced acidity. These wines are characterized by their refined bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, complemented by hints of toasted nuts, honey, and a subtle smokiness, enveloped in a silky, rich texture. The meticulous care in the vineyard and cellar reflects in each glass, offering a pure expression of Puligny-Montrachet’s unique terroir, making Domaine Leflaive a quintessential reference for fine Burgundy whites.
Our Favorites:
2021 Leflaive Puligny Montrachet Clavoillon
2021 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
2021 Esprit Leflaive Beaune Les Tuvilains
Established in 1959, this domaine stands as a pillar of exceptional winemaking in Chablis. Nestled in an area famed for its unique Kimmeridgian soil, rich in marine fossils, this domaine significantly contributes to the prestige of Chablis through its expansive holdings, which include substantial parcels in revered Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. Under the stewardship of the Henriot family since 1998, William Fèvre has embraced organic and, more recently, biodynamic farming practices. The wines of William Fèvre are renowned for their purity, vibrancy, and precision, and express a spectrum of flavors from crisp green apple and fresh citrus to more complex notes of oyster shell, flint, and smoky minerals. The domaine’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to expressing the subtleties of each vineyard plot culminate in wines that are perfectly reflective of Chablis’s unique terroir.
Our Favorites:
2015 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru
2016 Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses
2021 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos
Best of the Festival: The Value Picks
Antoine Lienhardt
Antoine Lienhardt is an up-and-coming vigneron established in 2011, and revitalizing the lesser-known vineyards of Comblanchien in the Côte de Nuits. His wines, mainly expressive Pinot Noirs, are notable for their vibrant fruit, floral aromas, and delicate structure, mirroring the limestone-rich soils. They offer a balance of freshness and elegance, with subtle earthy undertones and a silky texture, ideal for enjoying young but also capable of aging well. Antoine's commitment shines through in wines that reveal the untapped potential of their origins.
Our Favorites:
2019 Cote de Nuits-Villages 'Emphase'
2021 Cote de Nuits-Villages Les Plantes aux Bois
Domaine Didier Fornerol
Didier Fornerol is a seasoned viticulturist and winemaker who honed his expertise as the vineyard manager and cellar master at Domaine de L’Arlot from 1982 until 1998, under the mentorship of Jean-Pierre de Smet. In 1999, he left L’Arlot to lead his family’s domaine in Corgoloin, within the Côte de Nuits. Today, Didier cultivates 6 hectares, producing not only Côtes de Nuits-Villages red and white wines but also small quantities of Passetoutgrain, Aligoté, and Bourgogne. His reds offer inviting aromas of cherries and raspberries, combined with sweet spices and a hint of loamy soil, offering a medium to full-bodied experience that is both velvety and concentrated.
Our Favorites:
2021 Cote de Nuits-Villages $40
2021 Cote de Nuits-Villages La Rue de Foins $40
In Conclusion
La Paulée de Los Angeles encapsulates the splendor and camaraderie of Burgundy's wine culture, offering an immersive experience that goes beyond mere wine tasting. Through its array of events—from the intimate vertical tastings and the lively auction hosted by Acker Wines to the grandeur of the Gala Dinner featuring top culinary talents—this festival bridges the gap between the venerable tradition of Burgundy's winemaking and the vibrant setting of Los Angeles. It's a celebration where the legacy of fine wines meets the excitement of live auctions and gourmet feasts, making La Paulée de Los Angeles a cornerstone event for both connoisseurs and those new to the world of fine Burgundy wines. Each glass poured and every dish served tells a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and the shared joy that only such a unique gathering can provide. We hope to see you there - feel free to reach out prior to meet up with our team!
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