A look back at La Paulée San Francisco’s Vertical Tasting, where rare Burgundy flights gave collectors a side-by-side view of domaines, vintages, and terroir.
A look back at more than $20,000 of some of the world's most coveted Burgundies at La Paulée San Francisco's Vertical Tasting.
La Paulée is a storied celebration rooted in Burgundy's rich winemaking traditions, and commemorated its 25th anniversary in the United States with a series of exclusive events in San Francisco from February 27 to March 1, 2025, and in New York from March 5 to March 8, 2025. This milestone offers a distinctive opportunity for oenophiles to immerse themselves in the leading expressions of Burgundy's heritage.
San Francisco participants will have the chance to taste three-vintage verticals of signature wines from renowned domaines. The event showcases 25 different producers from different subregions of Burgundy, which gives an incredible overview of the region. This format allows attendees to appreciate the nuances of each region as well as the development of each wine over different years; providing insights into the winemaking process, vintage variations, and the aging potential of Burgundy wines.
Tasting multiple vintages from the same producer side by side is a rare chance to experience the subtle changes in aroma, flavor, and texture, all shaped by each year’s distinct climate, terroir, and winemaking approach. It offers a deeper understanding of how soil composition, elevation, and microclimate leave distinctive imprints on every bottle. Most of all, it’s a testament to Burgundy’s diversity and the power of aging potential, illuminating why these wines are cherished worldwide. A true must for burgundy lovers alike!
Below are a few of the producers we are most excited to try at the SF La Paulée Vertical Tasting:
Clos de Tart was our top winery from last year's La Paulée and for good reason. Located in Morey-Saint-Denis, Clos de Tart is one of Burgundy’s most historic and prestigious Grand Cru monopoles. Founded in 1141 by Cistercian nuns, it is the largest Grand Cru monopole in the Côte de Nuits, with a lineage of only four owners in nearly 900 years.
Since 2018, it has been under the stewardship of François Pinault’s Artémis Domaines (owners of Château Latour and Domaine d’Eugénie), bringing further refinement to its organic and biodynamic viticulture. A benchmark of Morey-Saint-Denis, Clos de Tartcombines power, depth, and finesse, making it one of Burgundy’s most collectible Grand Crus.
The vineyard is located on a steep, east-facing slope with shallow limestone and clay soils. It is divided into micro-parcels based on soil composition and vine age, allowing for precise vinification. Under organic and biodynamic practices, the domaine harvests by hand, using whole-cluster fermentation and aging in new oak to enhance depth and structure.
This bold yet refined Pinot Noir exudes black cherry, ripe plum, violets, and exotic spices, with underlying notes of earth, truffle, and graphite. The palate is rich and layered, with silky tannins, fresh acidity, and a long, mineral-driven finish.
While impressive in youth, it develops greater complexity and elegance over 10+ years, revealing nuances of dried roses, forest floor, and spice, making it one of Burgundy’s most age-worthy and collectible Grand Crus.
2025 Clos de Tart La Paulée Selection:
Vertical Summary:
Clos de Tart's historic monopole has shifted under new ownership to a slightly lighter extraction and more whole-cluster. 2015 is big and bold, 2017 is classically balanced, and 2019 combines depth with a polished modern finesse.
Domaine Anne Gros is a renowned Burgundy estate in Vosne-Romanée, known for producing elegant, terroir-driven wines. Anne took over in 1988, transforming her family’s holdings,including Clos Vougeot, Echézeaux, and Richebourg Grand Cru vineyards,into one of the region’s most respected domaines.
She practices sustainable viticulture and a minimal intervention approach, emphasizing finesse, purity of fruit, and aging potential. Her wines, celebrated for their silky textures and balance, are highly sought after by collectors.
Beyond Burgundy, she and her husband, Jean-Paul Tollot, also produce wines in Minervois, Languedoc, bringing Burgundian precision to the region.
Anne Gros’ Echézeaux Grand Cru from the Les Loächausses climat in Flagey-Échezeaux is a refined yet powerful Burgundy, showcasing her commitment to sustainable viticulture and precise winemaking. The wine offers aromas of ripe cherries, violets, crushed raspberries, and earthy spices, with a silky texture, fine-grained tannins, and bright acidity. Aged in around 50% new oak, it balances purity of fruit with complexity. While approachable young, it excels with 8,15+ years of aging, revealing deeper layers of minerality and finesse. This Echézeaux Grand Cru is a benchmark of Anne Gros’ signature elegance and balance.
Winemaking Style:
2025 La Paulée Anne Gros Selection:
Vertical Summary:
Anne Gros’s minimal-intervention approach produces Echézeaux with trademark finesse and silky tannins. In this vertical, 2017 is lighter and charming, 2018 is full-bodied and ripe, and 2019 offers both density and verve for long aging.
Comte Georges de Vogüé is a well-known estate in Chambolle-Musigny, revered for its historic holdings in two of Burgundy’s most prestigious Grand Cru vineyards: Musigny and Bonnes-Mares. With a lineage tracing back to 1450, it stands among the oldest continuously family-run domaines in the region. Today, under the guidance of winemaker François Millet and estate manager Jean-Luc Pépin, Comte Georges de Vogüé is celebrated for producing wines that capture the essence of Chambolle-Musigny’s grace and refinement.
The domaine meticulously farms its vines,some of the oldest in Musigny,using sustainable vineyard practices that respect the delicate terroir of its limestone-rich, east-facing slopes. Vinification often includes partial whole-cluster fermentation and a judicious use of new oak, resulting in wines of notable balance and depth.
Their hallmark is a core of lively red and dark berry fruit,cherry, raspberry, and plum,set against floral notes of rose petals and violets, with subtle hints of earth and spice. The textures are silken, underpinned by fresh acidity and finely etched tannins that allow these wines to age gracefully for decades.
Over time, they develop complex layers of dried flowers, truffles, and sous-bois, underscoring their reputation as some of Burgundy’s most collectible and cellar-worthy Pinot Noirs.
Winemaking Style:
2025 Comte Georgede VogüéLaPauléeSelection:
Vertical Summary:
Comte Georges de Vogüé’s terroir-driven approach results in exquisitely perfumed, age-worthy Musigny. 2017 is elegant and accessible, 2018 is more muscular and ripe, and 2019 presents seamless balance with both power and lift.
Domaine Dugat-Py, based in Gevrey-Chambertin, is renowned for its powerful, long-lived wines crafted from exceptionally old vines, many over 100 years old. Led by Bernard and Loïc Dugat, the domaine practices biodynamic and organic viticulture, producing low-yield, intensely concentrated wines.
Their Grand Crus, including Mazoyères-Chambertin and Chambertin, are aged in a high proportion of new oak (often 100%), adding depth and structure. Dugat-Py wines are bold and dark-fruited, with notes of black cherries, cassis, violets, truffle, and spice, underpinned by firm tannins. Built for aging, they reach peak complexity 15,20 years after release.
Their Mazoyères-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from 100+ year-old vines, producing a deep, powerful, and long-lived wine. Grown under biodynamic and organic practices, it undergoes whole-cluster fermentation and ages in 100% new oak, enhancing its richness and structure.
This intense, brooding Burgundy opens with black cherries, blackberries, cassis, violets, and smoked earth, evolving into truffle, licorice, and cocoa. The firm tannins and bright acidity ensure a 15,20+ year aging potential, rewarding patience with a silky, complex, and refined Grand Cru expression.
2025 La Paulée Dugat-Py Selection:
Vertical Summary:
Dugat-Py’s biodynamic approach and hefty new oak yield bold, concentrated Gevrey wines. 2007 is an outlier,lighter and ready now,while 2015 is massive and still youthful, and 2019 balances richness with a fresher edge.
Domaine François Raveneau is particularly revered producer in Chablis, crafting wines of unusual precision, depth, and aging potential. Founded in 1948 by François Raveneau, the domaine quickly gained cult status, and today, it is managed by his sons, Jean-Marie and Bernard Raveneau.
With just over 9 hectares of vines, including prime holdings in Grand Crus like Les Clos, Valmur, and Blanchot, as well as sought-after Premier Crus like Montée de Tonnerre and Butteaux, Raveneau produces particularly structured and long-lived Chardonnays in the world.
The wines are made using traditional methods, with hand-harvested fruit, long fermentations in stainless steel, and aging in neutral oak barrels, allowing the terroir to shine.
Sourced from a limestone-rich vineyard near Les Clos, Raveneau’s Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre is one of Chablis’ greatest Premier Crus and rivals Grand Crus in depth and aging potential. Itopens with green apple, Meyer lemon, white flowers, oyster shell, and wet stone, evolving into smoky, nutty, and honeyed notes with age. The racy acidity and intense minerality lead to a long, saline finish. While lively in youth, it reaches peak complexity over 10,20+ years, making it one of Chablis’ most collectible wines.
2025 La Paulée Francois Raveneau Selection:
Vertical Summary:
Raveneau’s traditional methods consistently highlight terroir. Here, 2014 is a classic high-acid Chablis, 2015 is richer and easier young, and 2016 is both concentrated and taut,each showing the domaine’s hallmark purity.
Meursault'sDomaine Roulot is one of Burgundy’s most revered white wine producers, known for crafting precise, mineral-driven, and age-worthy Chardonnay. Founded in the early 20th century, the domaine gained prominence under Guy Roulot and was later polished to cult status by his son, Jean-Marc Roulot, who took over in the 1980s.
Committed to organic farming and meticulous vinification, Roulot produces particularly terroir-transparent wines in the region. With holdings in top Meursault Premier Crus, including Les Perrières, Charmes, and Les Tillets, Roulot’s wines are known for their laser-sharp acidity, intense minerality, and notable finesse.
Fermented in neutral oak with minimal intervention, these wines are highly structured and built to age, often reaching their peak after 10,15 years, making them among the more sought-after Meursaults in the world.
Domaine Roulot’sMeursault 1er Cru Clos des Bouchères, a monopole vineyard, is renowned for its intense minerality and precision, thanks to its thin, rocky limestone soils. Jean-Marc Roulot’s organic farming and neutral oak aging preserve the purity of this notable terroir. Itopens with citrus, green apple, white flowers, and crushed stone, evolving into almond, hazelnut, and brioche with age. The palate is tense and structured, with racy acidity, deep salinity, and a long, chiseled finish. Built for 10,15+ years of aging, it remains one of Meursault’s most refined and collectible wines.
Winemaking Style:
2025 La Paulée Domaine Roulot Selection:
Vertical Summary:
Roulot’s low-intervention, terroir-transparent style produces whites with laser focus. 2011 shows softer, early approachability; 2013 is ultra-mineral and structured; 2019 is rich yet retains the tension characteristic of Jean-Marc Roulot’s wines.
La Paulée’s 25th Anniversary Vertical Tasting offers a rare chance to sample Burgundy’s most well-known wines,from Echézeaux to Musigny,across three vintages, revealing how climate and winemaking choices shape their evolution. It’s a distinctive look at the region’s diversity, showcased through each vineyard’s shifting aromatics, structure, and age-worthiness. For Burgundy lovers, this event is notable.
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