In Burgundy, the Appellations d'Origine Controlle such as those of Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Corton, Pommard and Puligny-Montrachet are well-known. But what about Marsannay, Monthelie, Maranges and others? Wines from near more famous towns can produce exceptional wines that can be great values as well. Here are some wines Lynn and I have tasted recently that merit attention. 

Marsannay 

Marsannay is situated at the northern end of the Côte d'Or, next to Fixin. Red (Pinot Noir) white (Chardonnay) and rosé wines are produced. One of the top producers is Regis Bouvier from whom the following two wines come.

2016 Regis Bouvier Marsannay Blanc, "Les Longeroies" ($34.99 - wine.com) - This shows a crystalline gold color and intriguing aromas of pear, peach, lime, wet stone and white incense. The flavors are simultaneously rich and taut, with notes of peach stone, pear skin and saline minerals. The back picks up Calvados and pêche liqueurs and toasted nuts on the way to a crisp, finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Regis Bouvier Marsannay Rouge, "Clos du Roy" ($38.99 - wine.com) - This displays a deep brick red color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, cerise and cassis with scents of rosebuds, orange peel, lavender, forest carpet and wafts of wood smoke. The true to variety flavors are medium bodied but substantial, with notes of cocoa, medium roast coffee and granitic minerals. The smooth textured back picks up gently pressed fruits, creme de cassis and recurring orange peel, followed by a pleasing soft tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

Monthélie

Monthélie is located between Volnay and Meursault. The wines are mostly red and the best vineyard is the Premier Cru Les Champs Fuillot which is just across the road from the Premier Cru Volnay Caillerets. 

2016 Louis Jadot Monthélie "Sous Roches" ($42.99 - wine.com) - Brick red colored, this possesses perfumed aromas of fraises de bois, old tree cherries and red currants with scents of wild red flowers, lilac and incense. The medium bodied flavors, as well, are charming, with notes of licorice, cocoa and granitic minerals. The back reveals gently pressed berries and crème de cassis, followed by a pleasing soft tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2015 Domaine Dubuet-Monthelie Monthelie 1er Cru, Les Champs Fuillot ($42.99 - wine.com) - Deep brick red colored, this emits seductive aromas of raspberries, cherries, black currants, crushed roses, sweet pea flowers, violets and whiffs of oriental incense. The flavors are alluring, with velvety yet substantial pure Pinot Noir flavors that are imbued with licorice, cocoa, medium roast and minerals. The back picks up pressed berries, kirsch and creme de cassis, leading effortlessly into a faintly sweetish finish. 18.5+/20 points.

Saint-Aubin

Saint-Aubin is situated on the slope overlooking Puligny and Chassagne-Montrachet. The vineyard plantings consist of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir and the wines are similar to those if it's neighbors.

2015 Domaine Gérard Thomas Saint-Aubin "Champs Tirant" ($32.99 - Total Wine) - This shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and a distinctive Chardonnay nose of white peach, citrus and wet stone. The flavors, as well, are striking, with notes of peach stone, grape soon and limestone. On the back, the wine intensifies, with sensations of Calvados and pêche liqueurs and touches of lemon zest and crème fraiche, followed by a crisp yet viscous finish. 18.5/20 points.

Maranges

Maranges is at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune, just past Santenay, comprised of the communes of Dezize and Sampigny. The wines are mostly red with some white. 

2015 Domaine Maurice Charleux & Fils Maranges 1er Cru, Les Clos Roussots ($28.99 - wine.com) - Deep ruby colored, this possesses a smoky nose of strawberries, cherries, currants, orange peel, crushed roses, pine needles and incense. The medium bodied flavors show distinct Pinot character, with notes of red licorice, cocoa, breakfast tea and earth. On the back, the wine intensifies with sensations of macerated berries, toasted nuts, fraise and cassis liqueurs, recurring orange peel and graphite, followed by a smooth moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2015 Jean-Claude Boisset Maranges 1er Cru, La Fussière ($32.99 - wine.com) - This bottling, from a respected Nuits-St. Georges negociant offers a deep ruby color and intense aromas of raspberries, cherries, black currants, black roses, tobacco and incense. The flavors are robust for a Côte de Beaune, with layered red and black fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and minerals. The back palate is vigorous, with distinct Pinot character, along with smooth tannins. 18.5/20 points.

Côte Chalonnaise

The Côte Chalonnaise is situated south of the Côte d'Or and north of the Maconnais in the Odense River Valley. The main communes are Mercurey and Givry (mostly reds) and Rully and Montagny (mostly whites).

2016 Faiveley Mercurey, "La Framboisière" ($38.99 - wine.com) - This offers a a deep brick red color and enticing aromas of framboise, cerise, cassis, red roses, sweet tobacco, lilac and white incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with velvety yet deep, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee and riverside minerals. The back reveals sensations of framboise and cassis liqueurs, mocha and pencil shavings, followed by a savory moderate tannin finish. A real charmer which gives it a plus. 18.5/20 points.

2015 Château de Chamirey Mercurey ($35.99 - wine.com) - Deep brick red colored, this emits definite Pinot aromas of raspberries, cherries, black currants, roses, tobacco, earth and incense. The flavors are simultaneously velvety and muscular, endowed with licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee beans and riverside earth. The penetration continues on the back with pressed berries, roasted nuts and charcoal dust, followed by a smooth tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2015 Domaine Ragot Givry, Vieilles Vignes ($29.99 - wine.com) - This is a well-priced Pinot Noir. It shows a brick red color and enticing aromas of cherry, plum and black currant with scents of crushed roses, tobacco leafing incense. The flavors are supple yet deep and well dilates, with notes of cocoa, French roast and earth and minerals. The back picks up kirsch and creme de cassis liqueurs, followed by a satisfying moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

Chaintré

Pouilly-Fuissé and Macon-Villages are well known sources for Chardonnay. But what is Chaintré? The commune straddles the Macon-Villages and Pouilly-Fuissé delimited appellations. The Villages wine is called Macon-Chaintré and the wine from the Fuissé side can be called Pouilly-Fuissé. 

2016 Domaine Cormin Macon-Chaintré ($24.99 - wine.com) - Brilliant gold colored, this possesses floral aromas of pear, peach, citrus, pear tree blossoms, acacia flowers and whiffs of white incense. The flavors are fresh and lively, with notes of pear skin and limestone. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs on the way to a brisk, finely fruited finish. 18+/20 points.

2016 Domaine Cormin Pouilly-Fuissé (31.99 - wine.com) - This comes from the Fuissé side of Chaintré and is organically farmed. It shows a brilliant gold color and perfumed aromas of pear, white peach, citrus, acacia flowers, peach blossoms and white incense. The flavors are well extracted and finely fruited (indigenous yeasts and sur lie aging), with notes of peach stone and pear skin and limestone. The varietal intensity continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of brioche and lemon zest, followed by a brisk terroir-driven finish. 18.5/20 points

2016 Marie-Pierre Manciat Pouilly-Fuissé, "Les Petites Bruyères" ($28.99 - wine.com) - This is a fruit-driven style of Pouilly-Fuissé. It displays a brilliant gold color and a lovely floral nose of pear, peach, apricot, grapefruit, pear tree blossoms, lemon verbena, and whiffs of white incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with varietally pure character, marked by grape and pear skins and granitic minerals and touches of nougat and crème fraiche, followed by a pleasingly fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.