Visit to Bernard Zito – Tasting the 2022s

Bernard Zito is the Swiss Army knife of the Burgundy wine world. He makes wine, he is a biodynamics consultant, he is a courtier, and perhaps he has other roles of which I am not aware.

He is far from a rookie in the business. He’s worked with vineyards and viticulture – more specifically organic and biodynamic viticulture – for years.

He was employed from 1987-2005 at the Boisset group, owned by Jean-Charles Boisset, where he worked on the implementation of biodynamic viticulture at various of the group’s estates.

He is, and has been for years, working for Louis-Michel Liger-Belair implementing and running the biodynamics side of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, which was certified biodynamic in 2012.

Bernard Zito is certainly a competent – and unconventional – guy, even when it comes to producing his own wines. He works mainly as a consultant, but on the side he makes his own wines at the custom-crush facility at the Château de Bligny-les-Beaune. His production is limited, but I’m delighted to say it includes some truly gorgeous wines in 2022. His reds are very good indeed, and his whites show fine balance and energy.

Bernard Zito Bourgogne Gamay 2022

To fruit from Clessé in the Maconnais, from vines planted in 1961, was added some gamay from Flagay-Echezeaux – and were are rocking. Quite lightly extracted, this is a perfect vin de soif with delightful liveliness. I’m thinking of a light summer lunch, or maybe of putting on a jacket and getting merry in the March sun! Points are pointless: Enjoy!

(Drink From 2024) – Good – (85-87p) –

Bernard Zito Côteaux Bourguignon 2022

A complex and truly delightful wine from the Flagey-Echezeaux vineyard En Bollerie, just across the D974 from the Clos de Vougeot, this was bottled in December, and saw no new oak. Fresh and vivid, it is elegant and floral for this level, with the sexiness and energy that are hallmarks of Zito’s winemaking. To call Bernard Zito the future of Burgundian winemaking could be stretching it (as he is slightly older than the Winehog). But he is a unique talent, and his unconventional take is liberating.

(Drink From 2024) – Very Good (87p) –

Bernard Zito Saint-Romain La Perrière 2022

Not showing well at the moment. From 70-year-old vines.

(Drink From 2026) – Very Good (87-89p) –

• Visit to Bernard Zito – Tasting the 2022s
  Bernard Zito is the Swiss Army knife of the Burgundy wine world. He makes wine, he is a biodynamics consultant, he is a courtier, and perhaps he has other roles of which I am not aware. He is far from a rookie in the business. He’s worked with vineyards and viticulture – more specifically organic ...
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