When we started planning a trip anchored to the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, I knew I also needed to plan a stop just up the road in Burgundy.
Now, Burgundy is a hallowed wine region, and one which demands much
more than a one day visit, but that’s all the time I had. So, I put the word out to my wine world friends and colleagues, and lo and behold, I got some great suggestions for a plan of attack.
I booked a bespoke day tour of the Côte D’Or (historically the mo
st important regions of Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune together) with 
Hautes Côtes, a small company with some powerful connections that plans art and wine experiences of the highest calibre. I spoke with my guide, Pierre Denis, prior to leaving Canada, and toured the 60 km long Route des Grands Crus with him from Dijon to Santenay and back.
The day included visits to some of the most mythical vineyard plots from the Côte de Nuits – such as La Romanée Conti, Le Musigny, and Le Clos de Vougeot. I also feasted on pigeon at Ma Cuisine in Beaune, where the owner suggested a half bottle of Domaine Rollin’s 2018 Pernand-Vergelesses – fun as Pierre had worked that harvest there.
Two superb tastings were also part of the day – one at the historic Domaine Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, and the other in the tiny village of Santenay at Le Domaine du 
Château de la Crée. Ironically, I had visited both their Willamette Valley sister wineries, so it was as if my wine life was coming full circle.
I’ve had some incredible wine experiences, but this one may be the most magnificent one to date. I only had a day, but I fulfilled a ‘no spit’ bucket list item in great style.
winellama 
Sounds magical. A west coast wine friend recently flew to Calgary with some burgundy gems from his cellar. I put together the food and here is a pix of what we enjoyed.
The Chevalier-Montrachet â09 stole the show. The complexity of noise, the fat full mouth feel and a âmouthâ that just went on and on. I had forgotten how amazing a fine white burgundy can be. And the Musigny â06 was a very close second star of the evening. ( and the Bollinger and Bonnes-Mares were both very elegant).
Say, this friend oddly enough, despite owning magnificent burgundy wines, has NEVER been to Burgundy and I keep telling him that he is long overdue. I am going to tell him about Hautes cotes.
Love your wine reviews. Say, Kevin is putting together a trip to 24 hr of Le Mans next June 11-16 – any interest?
Warm greetings from Calgary.
“Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.” Somerset Maugham
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Hi Jane! So great to hear from you – and yes, please do recommend HC to your pal! I had an incredible experience. As for Le Mans, we went in 2014, but Brian is keen to do it again – keep us in the loop! Lx0x
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hi Lindsay:
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Glad you enjoyed them!
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