Pre Arrival Offer Winter 2021 Part A (CLOSED)

 

Hello!

This calendar year is the first time in quite some time, that I will not visit France. A little sad however with enforced lockdowns and curfews there, it makes sense to spend a little more time in Australia! That being said, I've earmarked a trip in the cold of January 2022. It is my best friend’s wedding on January 8th at the famous Star of Greece, Port Willunga where I am expect the weather will be in sharp contrast to when I touch down in the ever so cold Charles de Gaulle Airport, on the days that follow. Luckily, I have tasted all the wines that we will ship this coming year so there will be no surprises!

We have been sold out of Jean Vesselle (Champagne) and Merlin-Cherrier (Sancerre) for quite some time, both of which are absolute French Wine Centre staples. Both incoming with this offer.

While we have had dribs and drabs of Domaine Millet, we will recieve their three main cuvees from 2019 and it's the best vintage we have seen from the Domaine since 2014.

The Puligny Montrachet and Saint Aubin Premier Crus from Alain Chavy will land and as we know, they overdeliver any day of the week.

From Rene Cacheux we introduce another little Aligote to the portfolio as we are borderline obsessed with the variety, along with usual suspects: Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne Romanee, Premier Cru Les Suchots and Les Beaux Monts.

We divided our Pierre Morey (Meursault) shipment in two this year, and sold through the first tranche almost entirely before arrival. Their Meursault Perrieres touches down with this offer. It's one of Burgundy’s great white wines, mark my words I will be taking one straight to lunch as soon as these land!

When we introduce a new producer outside of Burgundy, it does take a little time for people to catch on. Such was the case with Les Matheny from a little village near Arbois, Jura. Winemaker Owner Emeric Foleat worked with Jacques Puffeney for eight years in his vineyards and cellar, so the wines here, like Puffeney, are unapologetically Jura. They are quite simply delicious and confidently rank amongst the best Jura I have had.

As always please enjoy reading this offer and reach out if there is anything at all I can help with!

Jono, wine@frenchwinecentre.com +61 427 643 674

Producers included in this offer:

• Champagne Jean Vesselle (Bouzy, Montagne de Reims)
• Domaine Merlin Cherrier (Sancerre)
• Domaine Millet (Chablis)
• Domaine Alain Chavy (Puligny-Montrachet)
• Domaine Pierre Morey (Meursault)
• Domaine René Cacheux (Vosne Romanée)
• Les Matheny (Jura)

 

Champagne Jean Vesselle

Bouzy, Montagne de Reims

Located between Épernay and Châlons-en-Champagne, Bouzy is a small village famous for Pinot Noir. A natural amphitheatre that captures warmth perfectly to ripen Pinot Noir to its powerful potential.

The Vesselle family have been grape growers in Bouzy for more than three centuries. The Domaine consists of 16 hectares of prime real estate with 90% planted to Pinot Noir and 10% planted to Chardonnay where the soil is particularly limestone rich.

NV Extra Brut 750ml
NV Extra Brut 1500ml

80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay.

In 1975 the domaine decided to introduce a ‘natural cuvée’, they didn't add the usual dosage. This resulted in a clear, lively Champagne that was ideal as an aperitif. At this time there were only three producers making this kind of Champagne, each had their own name for the wine: Brut 0, Brut Savage, and in the case of Jean Vesselle, Brut 100%. Today the wine - this wine - is named ‘Extra Brut’. It's very interesting considering the popularity of 'Extra Brut' and zero dosage wines today.

It has the power and roundness of Pinot Noir with the drive and minerality of Chardonnay.

NV Oeil de Perdrix Brut 750ml
NV Oeil de Perdrix Brut 1500ml

The English translation is 'eye of the partridge' and it's produced from grapes with fantastic phenolic maturity and richness. The grapes spend a few hours on skins which results in a must that has a touch of pink. The pink turns to amber colouring with age. The amber colour is maintained throughout the vinification process as it is a sign of an unfiltered wine with a little more fruit and structure.

The concept is to honour the Pinot Noir based Champagnes of the 19th century which naturally had a blush to them.

6g p/l

 

Domaine Merlin-Cherrier

Bué, Sancerre

I think I might, actually, genuinely love Thierry. To this day he may be the happiest man I have ever met and definitely the happiest Frenchman I have ever met! During my last trip we spent a little time in the cellar and knocked the tasting on the head before heading down by the Loire [river] for lunch with a few wines. Then, after a taste at Domaines des Fines Caillottes across the river, we regrouped for dinner at La Tour in the old town of Sancerre. They say you actually lose weight when drinking Sancerre!

2019 Sancerre Blanc Bouteilles 750ml
2019 Sancerre Blanc Demi-Bouteilles 375ml
2019 Sancerre Blanc Magnum 1500ml
2019 Sancerre Blanc Jeroboam 3000ml
2019 Sancerre Blanc Mathusalem 6000ml
2019 Sancerre Blanc Salmanazar 9000ml

High toned preserved lemon, lemon juice, lanolin, grapefruit juice, lime pith and nuances of rock salt.

The palate is light on its feet, fine pith like tannins with a lovely non intrusive structure. Ever so fine and long with a wonderful Seaspray lift.

2018 Sancerre Blanc ‘Chene Marchand'

From a single vineyard on the plateau atop of the hill in Bué. For hundreds of years the Chene Marchand has historically always been the wine merchants first choice when the vintage is released. An age worthy Sancerre of the highest order!

More density, no hint of herbaceousness, with more fine, balanced orchard fruits than the standard Sancerre. Not one flavour dominates the nose, utter harmony.

2018 Sancerre Rouge

Pinot Noir. We did not taste this however we drank it with dinner at La Tour in Sancerre. An evening full of half broken English/French stories which really just becomes a game of charades. Too much focus required to also write a note, my apologies!

 

Domaine Millet

Chablis, Burgundy

A French Wine Centre staple. We aim to ship each producer once a year however, with Domaine Millet we are continually needing top ups. This is our main shipment for the year, we took as much as we were allowed because we anticipate the worldwide demand for 2019 Chablis to be strong.

While on the topic of vintages, I would just like to touch base on the wines from 2019 in Chablis. 2019 was hot however the key takeaway points are as follows:

• 2018 was also hot, producers quickly adapted their viticultural practices to match the conditions and were better prepared for the weather.
• Those in 2018 who did not adapt and still made fresh wines seem to have a higher rate of not doing so well in 2019. They seem to have a false sense of security if you will.
• The water table was reasonably healthy leading into the vintage.
• For some reason the 2019 wines have retained Chablis quintessential iodine, oyster shell and seaspray character along with phenolic ripeness. The combination is delicious in the right hands. It is important to note that there are a lot of ‘yellow/golden’ flavoured wines in Chablis from 2019 which are not as appealing. Research before delving too deep into producers if purchasing from other sources. I believe my notes below convey Chablisesque typicity.

 

2019 Petit Chablis

Floral, lemon juice, preserved lemon, frsh air, lovelylight pith which lifts from the glass. The palate is focused, mineral and driven. Lovely, slightly bitter mouth coating phenolics.

 

2019 Chablis

Pure, focused, precise but with more volume and definition than the Petit Chablis. Jaw clenching on the palate with detailed minerality and grip. Quite voluminous considering its detail. Long.

 

2019 Chablis 1er Cru Vaucoupin

Further south and while on the right bank tends to make a mineral steely wine akin to a left bank premier cru wine. It is located in Chichee and is on the right as you head out to see Baudouin Millet in Tonnerre.

Wonderful depth with jaw clenching, high toned Chablis hallmarks. Defined florals, pear skin, apple, seaspray, lemon juice and preserved lemon.

The palate is restrained and implodes. A long life ahead. While restrained now there is no doubt this will build focus, power and energy. Lovely bitter mineral finish that continues to cut ones tongue with tiny razor blades for minutes after.

 

Domaine Alain Chavy

Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy

Alain Chavy and his brother Jean-Louis worked together at their father's Domaine (Domaine Gerard Chavy) until 2003 when they decided to split the 12.8 hectare domaine. Alain was left with 6.8 hectares and moved into a house in the heart of Puligny-Montrachet.

Alain built a new underground cellar, the deepest in the village (due to the high water table, no one has historically had a deep cellar like those found in Meursault). At 18 feet deep, the cool long fermentations at Domaine Alain Chavy, completely change the structure and energy of the wine.

Alain runs his incredibly well-heeled collection of vineyards ‘lutte raisonee’. His winemaking philosophy is of a true ‘terroirist’. A combination or 400 litre and 228 litre casks are used. No batonnage. For a couple of reasons; Alain rightly so believes this practice is oxidatively handling the wine. Secondly, he never tries to force flavour as he does not want to muddle the message of the vineyard. Malolactic fermentation starts late and is quite slow. Again, thanks to his deep cool cellars.

The style he is chasing is structured and long-lived White Burgundy that truly shows each wines terroir and charm. Remarkable, 'old school' white wines.

 

2018 Bourgogne Blanc

The fruit comes from the young vines from Alain’s Puligny vineyards. 10% new oak while the rest is aged predominately in 400 litre casks for 12 months.

Quite restrained with beautiful fresh, crystalline flavours with an overlying reductions. The palate is wonderfully tight and focused. – Jono Hersey FWC
 

2018 Saint Aubin 1er Cru ‘en Remilly’

St Aubin’s finest premier cru vineyard. It is essentially a continuation of Montrachet/Chevalier Montrachet as the contours swing around to the west. It has a steep slope with a rocky soil which produces wines of mineral intensity.

The 2018 Saint-Aubin En Remilly 1er Cru comes from vines planted in 1997 and is matured in 30% new oak. The floral bouquet reveals scents of cold limestone percolating through the malic fruit. The palate is quite rounded on the entry, offering notes of orange pith and lime. It has a slightly powdery texture, especially toward the finish, and good weight and persistence. Maybe I err toward the Puligny Charmes, which seems to demonstrate more mineralité at the moment. 89-90 Points Neal Martin, vinous.com

2018 Puligny-Montrachet

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Village, a blend of several parcels from around the appellation, has an attractive, floral bouquet that feels quite airy. The palate is well balanced and the 25% new oak nicely integrated. There is good acidity here, and a fat, generous finish that manages to retain decent tension. Fine. 86-88 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous.com

2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champ Gains

Champ Gain sits high on the hill at 360m above sea level. The land used to be shrub land and has only be reclaimed in the last 60 years. It sits above a small, thin strip of forest/shrub which is above Folatieres. The soil is thin resulting in less fine but also less fat while retaining lovely acidity and an attractive mineral edge to the wine.

Aromas of peach, nutmeg, orange rind and struck match introduce the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gains, a medium to full-bodied, round and fleshy wine, with moderate depth at the core and a charming, nicely balance profile. 89 points William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

 

2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Clavoillons

An infamous Puligny 1er cru with only 3 owners; Domaine Leflaive, his brother; Jean-Louis Chavy and himself. The vineyard is located in prime real estate below Les Folatieres and between Les Pucelles and Les Perrieres. Planted in 1953, this is Alain’s oldest vineyard.

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet Clavoillons 1er Cru comes from 0.50 hectares of 60-year-old vines and sees around 35% new oak. It has a little more detail and stoniness on the nose compared directly with the Champ Gains. The palate is very well balanced, with orange pith, lime, a pinch of white pepper and flinty notes toward the sustained finish. It might need a little more depth considering the climat in question, although it does reveal a very pleasant fiery quality on the aftertaste. 90-92 Points Neal Martin, vinous.com

2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres

Folatieres sits high up on the hill above Clavoillons with meagre soil. As Puligny’s largest and possibly finest Premier Cru vineyardit produces wines of ample ripeness and packed with minerality and grip.

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet les Folatières 1er Cru is a step up from les Pucelles this year in terms of terroir expression and mineralité on the bouquet, which grabs the olfactory sense by its lapels and demands attention. The palate is much more elegant than I expected, with vibrant citrus fruit, but it needs a little more tension and terroir expression to show through on the finish. Fine, but maybe not the best Folatières I have tasted at the domaine. 90-92 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous.com

2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles

While Folatieres may be one of the finest Puligny Premier Cru vineyards, Les Pucelles is one of the great white wine vineyards of Burgundy. Sitting between Clavoillons and Grand Cru’s; Batard-Montrachet and Bienvenue-Batard- Montrachet. It produces a quintessential Puligny wine that has the ability to transform into a true ‘experience’ wine.

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet les Pucelles 1er Cru has an appealing bouquet of pineapple, orange pith and light wet pavement/petrichor aromas. The palate has better salinity on the entry compared to the Clavoillons, imparting more tension and energy. The finish has a "licked limestone" quality, which can only be explained if you go out and lick a piece of limestone to experience the tingling sensation. Excellent. 91-93 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous.com

2018 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru

Alain’s parcel lies next to the ‘Les Demoiselles’ climat and near the Premier Cru of Le Cailleret. With stonier and chalkier soils than that of Montrachet the wines often offer more of a fresher, mineral and pleasurable drinking experience. Personally, I love drinking Chevalier-Montrachet younger, Batard- Montrachet aged and investing in Montrachet!

The 2018 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru is (as usual) an exchange of juice with Jean-Michel Chartron - one barrel for two barrels of Folatières and three barrels of Puligny Villages. It has a clean, precise bouquet, cold, wet limestone intermingling with citrus lemon and subtle smoky aromas. Not intense, but very focused. The palate is fresh and vibrant on the entry, and then the purity takes over – and boy, this is a very pure Chevalier-Montrachet, offering lemon curd, peach skin, pineapple and crushed stone notes. It feels very long but at the same time quite tender. A lovely Chevalier-Montrachet from Chavy. 93-95 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous.com

 

Domaine Pierre Morey

Meursault, Burgundy

We decided to split our first year of importing Domaine Pierre Morey into two shipments. We felt this allowed people to try more of his range and also dip their toe in before making a further investment.

A revisit on the Domaine:

Pierre’s father, Auguste, was one of 31 grandchildren of Alexis Morey. Alexis branched from Chassagne-Montrachet to Meursault after falling in love with a girl from Meursault. He built a reasonable collection of vineyards but as having 31 grandchildren will do, holdings were divided into minute holdings for each. As a result Auguste was left to look at other options. He began a share farming agreement with Domaine des Comtes Lafon. Pierre took over this agreement but in 1984 as Dominique Lafon was planning to work at the domaine full time, the Lafon’s began taking back their vineyards. They did so in a very gentlemanly manner over five years in order to give Pierre Morey time to source new agreements or vineyards. While the vineyard area from the Lafon family was only 50%, it was almost 90% in value due to the prestige of the vineyards.

Pierre did acquire fantastic new vineyards due to being such a respected person throughout Meursault and the surrounding villages. In 1988, he was hired by Domaine Leflaive as their régisseur (general manager and head vigneron). Domaine Leflaive is regarded as the greatest white winemaker in the world and under Pierre’s management the prestige elevated even more so. He turned Domaine Leflaive into a biodynamic producer a couple of years after beginning the practices in his own vineyards. His tenure at Domaine Leflaive was from 1988 to 2008.

All the while he ran his own domaine in Meursault with his daughter, Anne, beginning to work there too. When she was studying, Pierre sat Anne down and explained: “I can teach you a thing or two about making white wine, but I cannot with red so please pay extra attention in school to Pinot Noir!”. The proof is in the pudding, their red wines are now equally as first rate as their white wines.

The wines of Domaine Pierre Morey are of the highest and most celebrated echelon in Burgundy. They have been farmed organically since 1993 and biodynamically since 1998. They are fine and structured yet ever so flavoursome. As the wines age they require air in the glass and tighten before your eyes.

Very, very special wines

 

2018 Bourgogne Blanc

From three plots within Meursault, that are mostly on the border of the village status vineyards totalling 1.76 hectares with an average vine age of 35 years.

An array of spring orchard fruits, florals and fresh air carrying fine mountain herbs. The palate is so beautifully savoury, structured, mineral and driven. So, so, so good. Jono Hersey, FWC

In contrast to the Aligoté, this is quite fresh with a ripe mixture of petrol, white orchard fruit and citrus scents. The attractively vibrant, intense and nicely detailed middle weight flavors also culminate in a clean and dry but notably more persistent finish. This is a quality effort for its level and worth a look.” 86-89 Points Outstanding, Top Value. Allen meadows, The Burghound

2018 St Romain ‘Sous le Chateau’

St Romain is positioned en route to the Hautes Cotes high in the hills (350-410m). Being quite a cool village it is an ideal place to source wine from in the more and more frequent years. ‘Sous le Chateau’ is regarded as the best vineyard in the village. Quite steep and south, south-east facing on a very hard, stony white soil.

A tight, focused nose still with the PM savoury nuances trademark, Dried preserved lemon, spice and dried pineapple. The palate has incredible energy, drive and focus. Pithy, mineral. Lovely, pleasing bitterness on the finish. Some fresh mandarin juice on the finish.

2015 Meursault ‘Les Tessons’

A small back vintage allocation from their cellar. Not tasted, however please refer to Allen Meadows note:

Pierre Morey and Domaine Roulot have side-by-side vineyards in undoubtedly the finest section, both within the ‘Clos de Mon Plaisir’. The Morey family leave this title for Roulot as they are peacekeepers and happy for Roulot to champion the name.

The vineyard itself is mid-slope with an easterly aspect on perfectly drained stony soil of clay and limestone substrate. Quite steep. The vineyard has historically been noted as having the same pedigree as the other premier cru vineyards however, due to being slightly more north, with more of an easterly aspect and next to no southerly exposure, it was downgraded when the AOC was put into place. For many growers including Pierre Morey, this so called less-desirable aspect actually produces wines of particular excitement and intrigue. They are wines of incredible energy and tension.

Firm reduction renders the nose impossible to assess at present. The slightly bigger and richer flavors also possess a caressing mouth feel along with lovely intensity before delivering outstanding depth and length on the serious, indeed even mildly austere finale. This is a big yet relatively refined Meursault villages and a wine that is also very much worthy of your interest. 89-92 Points, Outstanding?Top Value. Allen meadows, The Burghound

2018 Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Les Champs Gains’

Champ Gain sits high on the hill at 360m above sea level. The land used to be shrub land and has only be reclaimed in the last 60 years. It sits above a small, thin strip of forest/shrub which is above Folatieres. The soil is thin resulting in less fine but also less fat while retaining lovely acidity and an attractive mineral edge to the wine.

Focused, floral, tight, less savoury with more florals and delicate orchard fruits. The palate is so fine and delicate with a minerality akin to little tiny razor blades cutting across ones tongue. A beautiful light, airy presence of dried jasmine. Long, chiselled, fantastic. Jono Hersey, FWC

The 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain displays aromas of fresh peach, white currants, spring flowers and fresh pastry, followed by a medium to full-bodied, textural but racy palate that is lively and mineral. It is the second vintage Anne Morey has produced from this recently acquired parcel. 91-93 Points. William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

2018 Meursault 1er Cru ‘Les Perrieres’

Without question, Les Perrieres is the best vineyard in Meursault. It is the most mineral and high toned and also has a hint of florals akin to a fine Puligny-Montrachet. With a perfect east-south-east aspect. It is divided in two, Perrieres Dessus, the high section and Perrieres Dessous, the lower and more sought after parcel as it sits more in the belly of the slope.

The Pierre Morey Parcel is 0.52 hectare and is actually a clos. A marvellous wine that can reach marvellous heights!

This too flashes a touch of mineral reduction on the high-toned and elegant aromas of white flowers, spice, citrus peel and a hint of jasmine tea. There is good mid-palate fat to the even more mineral-driven medium-bodied flavors that culminate in an equally compact but even more tightly wound finale. Patience suggested. 91-93 Points Allen meadows, The Burghound. Sweet Spot/Outstanding

The 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Les Perrières opens in the glass with notes of citrus oil, pear, oatmeal and struck flint, framed by a deft touch of smoky reduction. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and intense, with racy acids and a searingly chalky finish. Anne Morey tells me that her father farmed this 0.55-hectare parcel before acquiring it at the end of the 1980s, and the composition of the soils suggests that this was the location where rejected stones from the quarry that lends the climat its name were discarded. 93-95 Points William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

The 2018 Meursault Les Perrières 1er Cru, matured in around one-third new oak, underwent a slightly later malolactic than other cuvées, not finishing until early summer, though Anne Morey cannot explain why. It has an exquisite bouquet that translates the mineralité of this vineyard with style and panache. Prudent use of new oak allows the terroir to shine through from the glass. The palate is beautifully balanced with an intense opening, quite spicy and peppery, and razor-sharp definition. This Perrières has wonderful length and the aftertaste is extraordinarily long. Superb. 94-96 Points Neal Martin, Vinous

 

2018 Monthelie Rouge

From six liux-dits throughout Monthelie with varying soils and aspects.

High toned and very pretty. More red fruit focused with a red currant lift, delicate violets, ripe strawberry and wild raspberry. Again the palate is red fruit dominant with ripe, defined tannins which are sumptuous, delicate and ever so detailed. Perfectly ripe. Jono Hersey FWC

The 2018 Monthélie is showing beautifully, bursting with notes of cherries, raspberries and sweet forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, lively and incisive, its bright spine of acidity and chalky tannins cloaked in a rich core of fruit, this is well worth seeking out and confirms Anne Morey's considerable talents as a red winemaker. 90 Points, William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

 

2018  Aloxe Corton 1er Cru ‘Les Vercots’

Les Vercots lies between the village  and the Pernand-Vergelesses. Produces firm wines akin to Corton Grand Cru to an extent.

 

2018 Volnay 1er Cru Taille Pieds

Taille Pieds is the most revered vineyard in Volnay alongside Clos des Chenes. A very steep vineyard with light coloured soils. It produces wines that define Volnay’s lift and perfume as well as perfectly ripe tannins and flesh.

 

Domaine René Cacheux

Vosne Romanée

The beginnings of René Cacheux began in the late 19th century with a vigneron by the name of Francois Blee. Based in Vosne, he farmed a modest few parcels selling the wines to Negociants.

Francois' son, Charles Blee, took over the Domaine and expanded the holdings. In 1966, Charles Blee retired and his two daughters split the Domaine. One married a gentleman by the name of René Cacheux and the creation of Domaine Cacheux-Blee was formed. In a side twist and true Burgundian fashion, René's brother married his wife's sister - at that time Domaines Jacques Cacheux was formed.

In 2004, Rene Cacheux's son, Gerald, took over the Domaine and renamed the Domaine in honour of his father; Domaine René Cacheux et Fils. Gerald produced more and more wine under their own label rather than selling the wine to Negociants and markedly improving the quality.

The fruit is now 100% destemmed with fermentation carried out at much lower temperatures. The result are wines of purity, vibrancy and class.

 

2019 Bourgogne Aligote

Bright, fresh, floral, white of almond with nuances of honeyseuckle and jasmin lifting from the glass. The palate has a defined white of almond, dried floral and dried lemon rind character. Lovely, delicate pithiness.

 

2018 Bourgogne Cote d’Or ‘Les Champs d’Argent’

A known Bourgogne Rouge site for producing wine of note on the flats of Vosne Romanee.

Dried raspberry, strawberry liquer, violets. A dried musk, dried florals and dried red fruits profile which adds an additional element to the lovely sweet fruit aromas. The palate is fresh and crunchy with bright red, ripe strawberry and raspberry. Firm tannin structure.

 

2018 Chambolle Musigny

What used to be two single vineyards is now one cuvee due to such a small surface area. In lower yielding years there just isn’t enough for individual cuvees! From two vineyards, Les Argillieres and Les Creux Baissants.

A suave, resolved fruit profile of both red and black fruits. Wonderfully harmonious. The array of fruits and florals start and finish as one. Violets and detailed underlying blue fruits give depth to the crunchy bright red fruits.

 

2018 Vosne Romanée

From two parcels. The first, la Croix Blanche, is on the southern side of the commune as you cross the border from Nuits St Georges. The second, aux Saules, is directly east from the village.

A much darker and brooding profile than the Chambolle but still with ample brightness. Red cherry lift, black cherry undertones. A wild, complex array of slightly decaying black fruits which is very pleasing. The palate is structured with firm tannins wrapped in fruit. While structured retains drinkability. Nice length.

 

2018 Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts

A minute 0.3 hectare plot adjoining Echezeaux Grand Cru. This lower section, Le Beaux Monts Bas, is the superior of the four climats within Les Beaux Monts. The vine age is 60 years producing wines of depth and concentration without being too overtly heavy. Les Beaux Monts produces wines of considerable substance however they do not lack breed and class. They particularly need time in bottle to blossom. It will not show its full potential for ten years.

Blueberry Liquer, cassis, violets, blackcherry, underlying blue fruits. The palate is full and brooding yet high toned. Ripe, present tannins keeping the plethora of fruit in check, Long length and obvious very long life ahead.

 

2018 Vosne Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots

Les Suchots is situated directly between Richebourg and Romanee St Vivant one one side, and Echezeaux on the other. The Domaine has two parcels totaling one hectare. The largest lies directly alongside Grand Cru Romanee St Vivant with a vine age of 30 and 60 years.The other is directly alongside Echezeaux with a vine age of 60 years. The ground flattens between the grand crus hence the premier cru status. Although built to age, the wines are very pleasing to begin, they really open at five or six years old.

Very powerful, cassis, blackberry liquer, strawberry liquer. Incredible depth and will take some time to show its full potential perfume. Black truffle, violets and nuance of rose petals. The palate is very suave with a silky nature. The tannins are present yet very ripe and resolved. Really very, very good. Very long.

 

Les Matheny

Matheny, Jura

Emeric Foleat of Les Matheny worked under the famous Jacques Puffeney for eight years. We stumbled across him by accident after staying at his girlfriend’s Airbnb. At first we had been courteous accepting an invitation to taste his wines, but that quickly turned into me cancelling another appointment just to see Emeric’s, as I dug a little deeper. The Jazz of Jura cannot be learnt or replicated by just anyone, however it is evident here.

I left my note pad at home for this visit and continued to write them on a miscellaneous piece of paper. Said piece of paper could be anywhere….. Which is a pity as I truly enjoyed writing about these utterly delicious wines!

 
2018 Chardonnay
Less nutty and more about freshness and drinkability. All, however, with beautiful Jura saltiness!

 

2017 Chardonnay
2017 Chardonnay Jeroboam 3000ml
Akin to the beautiful 2014 and 2016 Chardonnays we have previously imported. Really, really delicious and the essence of Jura!

 

2018 Poulsard
2018 Poulsard Jeroboam 3000ml
Delicious, even more so than last year and possibly a little less wild! A touch of Sulphur used in this vintage compared to last year which had nil.

 

2018 Pinot Trousseau
2018 Pinot Trousseau Jeroboam 3000ml
Exceptional.