Sometimes, one gets the temptation to break the patterns and the conventions … so here we go … more about this later …
During my tastings at Domaine Charles Boigelot, I have been more and more impressed by this young man and his wines.
To me, he is one of the largest new talents in Burgundy right now, so he should definitely be Flavour of the Year—despite other more obvious candidates.
The sweet talk and usual politics …
This recognition is my humble attempt to find new estates and wines that have true quality and a vin d’émotion potential.
These are estates evaluated and “judged” very early … and I take chances putting my neck out … still, mostly, I am proud of my choices, but it’s still leaning from the criticism I get from good people who are close to me.
The recognition is mainly given for the work done by a young and talented vigneron who gives us more hedonistic wines—vive vin d’émotion.
While I find the work of young vignerons like Théo Dancer and Charles Lachaux truly admirable, these well-known producers already have the complete attention of the wine world. Furthermore, they have plenty of great vineyards with which to express themselves.
Nevertheless, they fight every day to make better wines and develop viticulture. They have my full support in their work and fight despite Burgundian envy and gossip.
This is where it gets complex when we speak about a revival of old estates that have been closed for years … a new start or beginning … and perhaps even with new vineyards. But in my view, domaines like Marshall and Domaine Les Petits Lieux are new estates … but with some family links to the past. Both were strong candidates in 2025.
Finding new talents, new vignerons and wines is one of the main objectives of the Winehog. Everything should be a question of passion and the love of hedonistic wines … vin d’émotion … the Flavour of the Year should embrace this.
Remember – taste yourself
Let me be very clear: I try to cover a wide range of styles, terroirs and estates … Some, I like more than others, and even my close ones sometimes hate my choices. This is fair, but also a part of the test of time. Sometimes, she is right … or always right – bien sûr!
These are my choices … but taste yourself … Bastian Wolber is not Marthe Henry … and not Cassiopée … some you will love … some you will love to hate. And some new names are hot now … but will also be forgotten!
And the winner is …
This year, the recognition of Winehog Flavour of the Year goes to
Domaine Charles Boigelot
Flavour of 2025
The 2025 Flavour of the Year recognition goes to Charles Boigelot for his red and whites made in 2022 and 2023.
Charles is working his own estate on some of his father’s vineyards …. Eric Boigelot – a good but little-known estate in Meursault.
The first vintage is 2022 and this has been followed by equally impressing 2023s. These are detailed, complex and carefully made wines … delicate with a lovely terroir expression.
Charles knows how to choose and handle his terroirs. The reds are made with a large share of whole cluster and this gives some delightfully delicate wines … Monthelie Les Plantes is a true delight.
The whites do magic with the advanced viticulture … the Meursault Les Pelles expresses a lovely complexity that sends its greetings to one of the legendary estates in Meursault.
Charles Boigelot worked for 2 years with Raphaël Coche at Coche-Dury. His wines are however not Coche clones … but they are made in his style and expression … and they have an x-factor found only at the best estates in Meursault – so try them!
Congrats to Charles …
The flavour of the Year past winners
Benjamin Benoit – Le Cellier Saint-Benoit in 2024
Bastian Wolber in 2023
Les Horées in 2022
Domaine Cassiopée in 2021
Marthe Henri Boillot in 2019
- A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
- A truly hedonistic wine – lively and enjoyable
- A vivacious wine for pure indulgance
- A potential vin d´émotion - frais et léger
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