Irancy: The Burgundy the Somm Keep for Themselves

Northern Burgundy’s Hidden Gem

I looked at this bottle as it was offered to me and remarked, candidly, “You don’t see a lot of wine around here from that appellation.” I was assured that it would be the best Irancy around. Then, I was also assured that it was good, too. That was an understatement. Considered the best producer in Irancy, Richoux has been going from strength to strength over the past few decades and is putting out Burgundy that is simply stunning for the price.

This isn’t the Burgundy of grand labels or collector hype. This is a rugged, windswept village just southwest of Chablis where Pinot Noir ripens slowly, drawing out purity, tension, and an unmistakable sense of place. The Richoux family has been farming here for generations, long before the outside world paid any attention. Their 2019 Irancy is a masterclass in restraint and authenticity—cool-toned, mineral, and quietly powerful. This is a wine nerd’s Burgundy, exploring the edges of the region. This is what somms look for.

What you’ll taste is pure, old-school Pinot. Tart cherry, red currant, rose petal, a touch of forest floor, and that chalky, lifted finish that only northern Burgundy can deliver. There’s no makeup, no oak show, no flash—just beautifully structured, finely etched wine that speaks of limestone and long, cool seasons. It’s the kind of bottle that reminds sommeliers why they fell in love with Burgundy in the first place.

Even better, it’s still a secret. While prices in the Côte d’Or climb into the stratosphere, Irancy remains one of the last strongholds of serious, age-worthy Burgundy at a price that feels like a gift. And Richoux is the benchmark here—farming organically, aging their wines longer than almost anyone else in the region, and releasing them only when they’re ready. The 2019 is in a perfect place right now, with the structure to go another decade if you choose to wait. But the secret is out, so buy up.

92 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Just bottled, Richoux's 2019 Irancy is brilliant, bursting with aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with rose petals, spices and sweet loamy soil. Medium-bodied, supple and seamless, its melting structuring tannins are entirely concealed in an ample core of succulent, perfumed fruit.