Nuits-Saint-Georges, Edouard Delaunay, 2021
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Edouard Delaunay, 2021
- 75cl
- 13%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2034
Founded in 1893, the house of Delaunay became a prestigious and prolific estate and was one of the sole distributors of DRC and exclusively of La Romanée until the 1940s. Sold to Jean Claude Boisset in the 1990s, the maison was reborn in 2017 when winemaker and fifth generation, Laurent Delaunay, purchased back the name, and winery and cellars next to the family home Chateau de Chaumont. Laurent and wife Catherine have accessed some excellent vineyard sites across the Cote d’Or, including a gem in Petit-Vougeots, and right up to Griottes-Chambertin.
The wines have been highly praised by critics, Club Members and the Honest Grapes team, and the portfolio encompasses everything from humble Aligote to Chambertin Grand Cru. With their commitment to excellence and remarkable vineyard sources, House Delaunay has regained its prominence in the world of Burgundy wines.
Currently showing its primary fruit character with raspberry and red berry freshness dominating, this wine will begin to develop secondary complexity around 2027-2028. The peppery notes will become more pronounced and earthy undertones will emerge, while the fruit character will deepen and become more integrated with the oak. The wine should plateau around 2029 and maintain this peak expression until 2034, after which the fruit will begin a gentle decline.
What the critics say:
"Their principal red, though less in 2021 of course. Aux Allots, Belle Croix and Longecourts are the vineyards, along with one barrel of 1er cru Pruliers. 100% destemmed and 30% new wood. Some depth of purple, quite a good weight of red berry fruit, raspberry, with a little plum on the side. An admirable depth of fruit with a little pepperiness to finish, while the fruit covers the tannins. Drink from 2025-2030. Tasted: December 2022."
Tasting Notes
AppearanceGood depth of purple with a bright ruby core.
NoseRed berry fruit leads, with raspberry most prominent and subtle plum notes adding weight. Clean, fresh aromatics with hints of the peppery complexity to come.
PalateAdmirable depth of fruit covers well-integrated tannins, showing the careful oak handling. The raspberry character continues, supported by that plum richness, with structure that speaks to serious winemaking.
FinishA little pepperiness emerges, adding complexity and length to the fruit-driven palate.
Overall impressionVillage Burgundy with both immediate appeal and the backbone to develop beautifully over five years.
Food Pairings
In Burgundy, this would accompany coq au vin made with the same wine, or perhaps boeuf bourguignon simmered slowly with pearl onions and lardons. The locals might serve it with époisses cheese towards the end of a meal, or pair it with roasted pigeon with a sauce of local blackcurrants. Game birds like duck or partridge, simply roasted with herbs from the Côte d'Or hillsides, would be another classic match.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 15-16°C to preserve the fresh fruit character while allowing the structure to emerge. A light decanting of 30-45 minutes will help integrate the oak and tannins, though it's perfectly enjoyable straight from the bottle. Use large Burgundy bowls to concentrate the aromatics and allow the wine to breathe in the glass.
The village vineyards of Nuits-Saint-Georges sit on varied soils — limestone and clay at Aux Allots, deeper clay-limestone at Belle Croix, and the stonier ground of Longecourts. This geological diversity, combined with the village's position in the heart of the Côte d'Or, creates wines with both structure and elegance. The relatively warm microclimate helps ripen Pinot Noir fully while retaining the freshness that defines great Burgundy.
Nuits-Saint-Georges anchors the southern end of the Côte de Nuits, famous for structured, age-worthy Pinot Noirs that often need time to show their best. Unlike the ethereal elegance of Chambolle-Musigny to the north, Nuits tends towards power and earthiness, with premier crus that rival grand crus elsewhere. The village appellation draws from diverse vineyard sites, creating wines that showcase both immediate fruit and the backbone for cellaring.
The 2021 growing season in Burgundy started badly and got worse before pulling off one of wine's great escapes. Spring frost in April devastated vineyards across the Côte d'Or, followed by a summer that alternated between biblical downpours and scorching heat. Many producers lost 50% or more of their crop to the frost alone, then watched hail batter what remained in some unlucky villages. By August, with rot creeping through rain-soaked vineyards, even the most optimistic vignerons were writing off the vintage.
What emerged from this chaos surprised everyone: wines with remarkable freshness and purity, if you can find them. The tiny yields meant those grapes that survived were intensely concentrated, while the September sunshine saved the day with perfect ripening conditions. We find the reds show beautiful fruit clarity without heaviness, drinking with an immediacy that makes them irresistible now but promising a decade or more of evolution. The whites are particularly stunning, with a mineral intensity that cuts through their richness. Yes, there's not much 2021 Burgundy about, and yes, it's expensive, but this is one of those vintages where disaster bred greatness.
FAQs
What does this Nuits-Saint-Georges taste like?
Fresh raspberry and red berry fruit with good weight, subtle plum depth, and a peppery finish that adds complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
When should I drink this wine?
It's approachable now and drinking beautifully, but will reward patience until 2034 as it develops more complexity and integration.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Classic Burgundian dishes like coq au vin or boeuf bourguignon, roasted game birds, or aged cheeses like époisses would be perfect matches.
Should I decant this wine?
A light decanting of 30-45 minutes will help integrate the oak and tannins, though it's perfectly enjoyable straight from the bottle if you prefer.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Yes, this has the structure to develop beautifully over the next 4-5 years, gaining complexity while maintaining its fresh fruit character.
How does this compare to premier cru Nuits-Saint-Georges?
This village wine actually includes a barrel of premier cru Pruliers, giving it more depth than typical village bottlings while remaining more accessible in price and drinking style.
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