2020 Reine Margot Bourgogne Rouge 750 ml

Our search for authentic Burgundy at a reasonable price has become something of a quixotic quest. In a region where vineyard plots are measured in rows rather than acres, and where centuries-old domaines command prices that reflect their storied pedigree, discovering genuine value requires persistence—and often, a bit of luck.

Burgundy's impossible geography tells the story: a narrow strip of limestone-rich slopes running barely 30 miles from Dijon to Santenay, subdivided into thousands of tiny parcels that have been fought over, inherited, and subdivided again since medieval monks first recognized their potential. The region's reputation was built on scarcity, and that scarcity has only intensified as global demand has soared.

Which is why stumbling upon La Reine Margot felt like uncovering a secret. Here was a young winemaker named Margot who was building relationships with trusted growers across Burgundy's three key departments. Her approach struck us as both pragmatic and principled—expanding her reach not through conquest but through collaboration, sourcing premium fruit from Yonne's Chablis country, the heart of Côte d'Or, and the broader landscapes of Saône-et-Loire.

What impressed us wasn't just Margot's technical skill, but her understanding of Burgundy's essential truth: that great wine emerges from the marriage of place and personality. Her 2020 Bourgogne Rouge benefits from six years of experience in partnership sourcing, each relationship built on shared standards and mutual respect. In an era when corporate interests increasingly dominate wine regions worldwide, finding a producer who honors both tradition and accessibility feels increasingly rare.

This wine embodies what we've long sought in Burgundy—authenticity without pretension, craft without inflated pricing, and most importantly, a genuine expression of one of the world's most revered wine regions that doesn't require a trust fund to enjoy.