Inexpensive but Expressive Burgundies from Domaine Collotte

Phillipe Collotte. Credit: Weygandt Wines

I love Burgundian wines, but I’m not a wealthy man. I’ve never tasted a bottle of Romanée-Conti and, considering I’m not burying thousands of dollars away for this purpose, likely never will.

And while a lot of Burgundy’s greatest wines will remain out of my reach, there are still plenty of wines from Burgundy that are of high quality, but don’t cost a fortune. Some, like the wines of Domaine Collotte, can be found for $20-$35.

Phillipe Collotte sources grapes from various parcels in the Côte de Nuits, most of which come from old vines, ranging from 30 years to 60-years-old. With low yield vineyards, indigenous yeast fermentation, the wines show concentration, expressiveness and deliciousness, and they still cost about $30. 

Peter Weygandt has been importing these wines since 2006, and I’ve had the chance to taste a lot of them over the years. Without exception, I’ve found them to be solid examples of inexpensive Burgundy. I recently tasted through some new releases from Collotte at Weygandt Wines, and, again, I found a lot of wine for the money. 

My notes below…

2016 Domaine Collotte Bourgogne Blanc - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc
$23
Super salty and bright with a zesty, lemon/green apple appeal. Refreshing and bright. (87 points)

2015 Domaine Collotte Fixin Blanc - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Fixin
$37
Ooh, this is a rich and plump Chardonnay with yellow apples, bruised pear, honey, almond. Some underlying mineral and floral notes too. Round and delicious. (89 points) 

2017 Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay Rosé
$20
Bright and spicy on the nose with raspberries and wild cherries, along with nettle and wild green herbs. Spicy and brisk on the palate with tart strawberries and pleasant white pepper and herbal tea notes. Vibrant and delicious. (88 points)

2016 Domaine Collotte Marsannay Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay
$25
Nose shows bright red cherries and some tobacco. Brisk acidity, dusty tannins, juicy red cherries with notes of earth and leather. Delicious now but could improve for a few years easily. (88 points)

2015 Domaine Collotte Marsannay Les Champsalomon - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay
$32
A lot more depth than the VV. Richer cherries and red plums, earth and anise. Smooth and velvety with juicy cherries and complex savory and earth elements. Very nice. (90 points) 

2014 Domaine Collotte Fixin - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Fixin
$25
This is complex and savory on the nose, lots of earth and leather and pepper on top of mulled cherries. Smooth but structured, bright acid, cherries and plums topped in leather, mushroom, campfire smoke and some pepper. Drinking very nicely right now, probably not much aging potential here, but very nice for the price. (89 points)