Pre Arrival A 2025
PRE ARRIVAL OPENS TUESDAY 18 MARCH
PRE ARRIVAL CLOSES MONDAY 31 MARCH
ESTIMATED DELIVERY DATE JUNE 2025
Producers included in this offer:
- Champagne Bolieu
- Domaine Paul Nicolle, Chablis
- Domaine Alain Chavy, Puligny Montrachet
- Domaine Michel Gros, Vosne Romanee
It has been a while between offers that we have seen Champagne Bolieu but they have built a diehard following. We will only take what we sell, so please buy up! Cote des Blancs, but well over an our away? Learn more about their grey-green chalk soils below.
The 2022s from Domaine Paul Nicolle are arguably the finest set of wines we’ve seen from this Fleys-based producer. Their hallmark nervosity, salinity, and minerality remain intact, yet this vintage carries an extra dimension of structure and volume. Notably, we see the introduction of a top-tier Petit Chablis, Premier Cru Mont de Milieu, and Grand Cru Bougros—an exciting development for our relationship with the domaine.
Domaine Alain Chavy delivers all the usual Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru favourites. This year, instead of the standard Puligny-Montrachet, we opted solely for the ‘Les Charmes’ bottling, which I felt was markedly superior and worth the extra few dollars. As for the Chevalier-Montrachet, we made the call to pass—it had climbed to a price point I simply couldn’t justify.
Domaine Michel Gros has generously increased our allocation, and the 2022s are nothing short of stunning—transparent yet ripe Pinot Noirs brimming with nuance and pure pleasure. Much like Anne Gros last year, there has been a shuffle of Grand Cru holdings within the family. While Michel Gros has always had Clos Vougeot, we’ve never received an allocation until now. Additionally, we’ve secured a small share of two new Grand Crus: Échezeaux ‘Les Loachausses’ and Richebourg Grand Cru—an exciting first for us.
A pretty spectacular set of producers, if I do say so myself!
Cheers!
Champagne Bolieu
Champagne Bolieu is a grower-producer from the small yet distinctive village of Bassuet, tucked away in the Côte de Vitry. Though technically part of the Côte des Blancs, this subregion sits over an hour’s drive from the heart of the Côte des Blancs.
What sets Bassuet apart is its unique terroir. Here, the chalk soils take on a green-grey hue, and while the wines carry the same mineral intensity as their Côte des Blancs counterparts, they are less angular, with a rounder mouthfeel, all while retaining that signature chalky texture.
This geographical separation means that Champagne Bolieu doesn’t get the recognition it deserves—but that also keeps prices refreshingly reasonable. A hidden gem for those with an open mind and a taste for discovery beyond the beaten path.
NV Champagne Bolieu Pepin de Vigne Extra Brut
Pre Arrival: $68
The Pepin de Vigne Extra Brut from Champagne Bolieu is a refined expression of the Côteaux Vitry terroir, crafted from a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Meunier. Sourced from 40-year-old vines rooted in chalk, limestone marl, and clay soils, this Champagne benefits from a terroir that enhances its structure and longevity. Aged 53 months on the lees, it develops remarkable depth and complexity while maintaining a fresh and elegant profile.
NV Champagne Bolieu Fleur de Craie Brut
Pre Arrival: $75
The Fleur de Craie, a Blanc de Blancs crafted from 100% Chardonnay, comes exclusively from 40-year-old vinesrooted in the chalky limestone soils of Bassuet in the Côte des Blancs region. Its name, meaning "Flower of Chalk,"pays homage to the unique terroir that defines its character. Made solely from the tête de cuvée—the finest first-press juice—this Champagne showcases the purest expression of its grapes. Aged for 69 months on the lees, it develops remarkable depth and elegance. An exceptional wine at exceptional value.
NV Champagne Bolieu Carnet de leone
Pre Arrival: $115
Like the Fleur de Craie, the Carnet de Léone is crafted from 100% Bassuet Chardonnay, but with two remarkable distinctions—oak aging and an impressive 96 months on the lees. The result is a Champagne of extraordinary depth and complexity while retaining exceptional precision. The value here is simply unmatched.
2014 Champagne Bolieu l'Instant B
Pre Arrival: $146
Once again, crafted from 100% Chardonnay sourced from the unique terroir of Bassuet, this exceptional Champagne undergoes an extensive 96 months (8 years) of aging on the lees, developing remarkable depth and complexity. Disgorged in January 2023, its Brut Nature dosage ensures a pure, precise expression of the Chardonnay grape. With only 2,538 bottles produced, this is a rare and extraordinary cuvée. If you haven’t caught on yet—these wines are simply not to be missed.
Domaine Paul Nicolle, Chablis
Domaine Paul Nicolle is a family-run estate based in Fleys, Chablis, dedicated to crafting pure, terroir-driven Chardonnay. Established in the 1950s, the domaine is now helmed by Charly Nicolle, who continues the family’s commitment to producing authentic, mineral-driven Chablis. With holdings in Chablis, Chichée, Béru, and Fleys, the estate's vineyards are rooted in Kimmeridgian limestone. Practicing sustainable viticulture, Domaine Paul Nicolle is celebrated for its classic yet approachable style, delivering exceptional value across its range.
2022 Domaine Paul Nicolle Petit Chablis
Pre Arrival: $55
I was initially taken aback by the pricing of their Petit Chablis—it seemed too close to their AC Chablis, and when considering the quality of their Vieilles Vignes, I saw little reason to pursue it. That said, availability made the decision for me, as they never had enough for us to taste or purchase.
That changed in 2022, when they finally had the volume to present the wine and share the history of the plot. Sourced from a single vineyard in Fleys, this site was once considered among the best in the village. However, with the introduction of higher taxes and more stringent classification regulations, an attempt was made to be strategic—removing its official status while trying to command a higher price based on reputation alone, despite a lower classification.
Unsurprisingly, that approach didn’t work, but what remains is an overperforming Petit Chablis, now offered at a slightly lower price than the Chablis AC—delivering incredible value for what’s in the bottle.
Ample ripe fruit that is complemented with a little seaspray, bitter grapefruit and an ever changing array of brine, saline, oyster shell. Very transparent, even with the ample fruit.
The palate is salty, briny and mineral. Showing its bones. All class. Very good.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
Clear pale colour. An attractive fresh style, all in white fruit, delivering impressive intensity at this level yet with delicacy rather than too much flesh. Drink from 2025-2027. Tasted Jun 2024.
88 points
-Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2022 Domaine Paul Nicolle Chablis VV
Pre Arrival: $59
From 35- to 45-year-old vines, it undergoes malolactic fermentation in stainless steel before aging 8 to 12 months on the lees—primarily in stainless steel, with 10% aged in used barrels. This balance preserves the wine’s freshness and minerality, while adding depth and subtle complexity.
Oyster shell, brine, ripe preserved lemon all swirl and lift from the glass. Tidal pool if you will. Lovely underlying orchard fruit and ripe lemon.
The palate is harmonious without edge nor scale but energetic brine of preserved lemon. Mineral and pleasing lime bitterness on the finish.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
2022 Domaine Paul Nicolle Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux
Pre Arrival: $83
The Domaine Paul Nicolle Chablis Premier Cru Les Fourneaux takes its name from "The Furnace," a nod to its south-facing slopes that bask in full summer sun, producing a full-bodied and aromatic wine each year. Planted in Kimmeridgian limestone with clay, the 40-year-old vines yield grapes of exceptional concentration and minerality. Fermented naturally in stainless steel, the wine ages 12 to 18 months on the lees, with 15% in oak barrels, adding texture while preserving its bright, fresh character with minimal oak influence.
A little less orchard fruit and presence than the above but with a little more tidal pool, brine and lime. Dried florals and a savoury, dried milk character.
The palate follows suit. Leaner, more energetic, less structure and saltier.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
Mixed vine ages. Smaller barrels for 15%, a rotation over three years. Relatively discreet white fruit on the nose but excellent grip on the palate with some yellow plums too. Fine and long, nicely done. Drink from 2026-2031. Tasted Jun 2024.
91 points
-Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2022 Domaine Paul Nicolle Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu
Pre Arrival: $97
With its south-facing orientation, Mont de Milieu benefits from optimal sun exposure, yielding a richer, more powerful expression of Chablis. Rooted in prominent Kimmeridgian limestone soils, the vines produce wines of exceptional depth, concentration, and signature minerality seemingly unphased by the additional sun.
Vinified with natural yeasts and aged on lees in stainless steel, with a small portion in used barrels to enhance texture while preserving the wine’s purity and precision. The result is a harmonious balance of ripe orchard and citrus fruits, elegant acidity, and a long, mineral-driven finish.
More scale, presence, orchard fruit, white florals and upright. Golden, ripe apple skin, pear skin and a nuance of limestone. Oodles of dried white florals and a little dried milk.
The palate mutes before exploding and continuing to show energy and more energy. More mineral.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
Clear bright pale lemon. The nose is a bit backward, almost awkward, very adolescent. Then comes the palate and it is another story, much livelier, just the right bench of white fruit on the nose, with good acidity behind. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted Jun 2024.
92 points
-Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2022 Domaine Paul Nicolle Chablis Bougros Grand Cru
Pre Arrival: $169
From a 0.15-hectare plot of 60-year-old vines, this wine is 100% stainless steel-fermented with wild yeasts at cool temperatures, preserving its freshness and vibrancy while showcasing the purity of its terroir.
I only tasted the ’21 at the Domaine. It was very good to say the least.
Domaine Alain Chavy, Puligny Montrachet
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.
2023 Domaine Alain Chavy Macon
Pre Arrival: $49
The first vintage of this wine for Alain and Corentin Chavy, sourced from the village of Chardonnay, one of the highest and coolest in the Mâcon appellation. Unlike many of the 27 Mâcon villages, Mâcon-Chardonnay exhibits a distinct cooling character, often with a crisp, refreshing cucumber note. Initially hesitant, I quickly changed my mind after tasting it—a beautifully crafted wine, impeccably handled, and undeniably compelling.
A high toned nose with aloe vera, cooling cucumber flesh, a little ripe nashi pear and a nuance of spearmint.
The palate is fresh with an aloe vera cooling sensation/texture/lightness. Stony and fresh.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
2022 Domaine Alain Chavy Bourgogne Blanc
Pre Arrival: $55
Sourced entirely from Puligny-Montrachet, with a single parcel from Meursault, this Bourgogne Blanc is hand-harvested and aged primarily in Foudre, with some 400L barrels, 5-10% new oak. No lees stirring occurs after primary fermentation, preserving its freshness and precision. A true hidden gem of the Côte d’Or, delivering exceptional quality at an unbeatable value.
A fairly open nose with pleasing green apple, lemon rind and a little salinity lift. A little gunflint, also.
The palate is open with ripe apple, ripe pear, a little squeeze of lemon juice but more so orchard fruit focused.
-Jono Hersey FWC
2022 Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny Montrachet 'Les Charmes'
Pre Arrival: $187
As mentioned in the introduction, we’ve chosen to focus solely on the lieu-dit Les Charmes rather than the standard Puligny-Montrachet. This site offers greater definition, length, and mineral intensity, setting it apart. Sitting directly alongside Meursault Premier Cru Les Charmes, it carries a touch of Meursault’s breadth while seamlessly integrating Puligny’s signature cloud-like steeliness—a perfect balance of precision and depth.
More detail, more tension and a little more depth (than the standard Puligny). Orchard fruit and still a little citrus oil reduction.
On the palate there is more dry extract, more phenolics, more length. Slightly round in shape but not without length and energy.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
2022 Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru 'Champ Gains'
Pre Arrival: $247
0.17 hectare plot planted in 1970. High on the hills above Les Folatieres, it is separated by a forest line. Relatively thin top soil at an altitude between 300 and 360 metres above sea level.
Orange, clementine, florals, a little apple with a little saline and gunflint lift. There are some underlying richer poached quince characters at play.
The palate mutes for a moment before showing brilliant razor blade like minerality, length and power. Open and ready to play. Effortlessly consumable.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
2022 Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru 'Clavoillons'
Pre Arrival: $258
0.5 hectares planted in 1955. An infamous vineyard as it is one of the most accessible vineyards offered by Domaine Leflaive (who own the lion's share). Alain and his brother Jean-Louis own the rest. It sits below the steep vineyard of Les Folatieres, in between Les Perrieres and Les Pucelles. The resulting wines have a smokiness which needs to dissipate with time in bottle to then reveal more fruit and minerality.
More white floral and citrus pith profile. More tense, airy and showing more of its bones.
The palate has more flesh, rounder and a little more puppy fat hiding its bones. With time in the glass it begins to show more grip and more length.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
2022 Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru 'Folatieres'
Pre Arrival: $263
1.3 hectares planted in 1982 and 1966. A vineyard favoured by those that adore airy, structured and skeletal White Burgundy. At a 15% gradient, erosion has created a terroir that sits on boney rocks and limestone with a wine to match.
Again, more tense, more reduction in gun flint, clementine and lime oil. A little Greek yoghurt, preserved lemon, salt.
The palate does have a little puppy fat but shows its bones and a certain straightness accompanied by little razor blades cutting ones mouth.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
2022 Domaine Alain Chavy Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru 'Pucelles'
Pre Arrival: $314
0.17 hectares planted in 1992. While we talk of premier crus Le Cailleret, Les Folatieres of Puligny and Les Perrieres of Meursault being the grandest for white on the Cote d’Or, almost everyone will after some thought come back to Les Pucelles as the grandest of them all. Located alongside Batard-Montrachet, Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet and below Le Cailleret at an altitude of between 230 and 250 meteres, with a gentle gradient of 5%. The vineyard experiences near perfect exposure with brilliant drainage.
Domaine Michel Gros, Vosne Romanee
The Gros family were one of, if not the first to ‘domaine bottle’ in Burgundy. The history and entwined structure of the extended family is a great way to spend an evening and I encourage those interested to do so with a bottle of their monopole ‘Clos des Reas’!
The wines are 100% destemmed and have a long maceration. They are elegant and very pretty with fantastic ageing capacity. It is well known that wine writers review the wines too early as they are usually still in barrel with a while to go before bottling when they taste. Michel is one of the premier resources for those trying to understand the weather and characteristics of a vintage.
The Hautes-Côtes de Nuits
The high hills that nestle within picturesque villages above the Côte d’Or, are scattered with beautiful vineyards that boast a cooler climate to those on the Côte d’Or. They produce refreshing high acid wines. With vintages becoming warmer and dryer, the vineyards are producing wines with riper and resolved tannins, which is something they did not always have.
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge
Pre Arrival: $79
Perched in Arcenant, 7 kilometers west of Nuits-Saint-Georges, this vineyard sits at an altitude of 360-420 meters, nearly 100 meters higher than the Côte d’Or vineyards. This elevation leads to a later harvest, about eight days after the Côte, allowing for slower ripening and enhanced complexity. The soils mirror those of Aloxe-Corton, composed of three geological strata, contributing to the wine's robust structure and aging potential.
Domaine Michel Gros farms 8 hectares in the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, with vines averaging 35 years. Vine rows are spaced to allow for terracing and grass cover, with a bilateral cordon pruning system ensuring balanced growth. The 2022 vintage is a blend of two parcels, harvested later and matured for six months in foudres, enhancing complexity and structure.
A more elegant and slightly cooler nose reflects lightly spiced fruit that derives more from the red side of the spectrum. Here too there is good vibrancy to the finer medium weight flavors that flash a subtle bead of minerality on the youthfully austere and slightly firmer finale. Worth a look.
86-89 points – Top Value
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge 'Au Vallon'
Pre Arrival: $86
Situated on a south-facing hillside in Marey-lès-Fussey at 425-440 meters, the 'Au Vallon' vineyard shares the higher altitude and later harvests typical of the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits wines in the domaine’s portfolio. The upper slopes rest on Oxfordian marls, while the lower sections feature clayey limestone, contributing to the wine’s depth and structure.
Covering 3 hectares, with vines averaging 35 years, the vineyard was revitalized by Michel Gros starting in 1978, reclaiming land long abandoned since the phylloxera crisis. The final replanting in 2013 marked the complete restoration of this historic site.
To preserve its distinct character, 'Au Vallon' is vinified and aged separately, undergoing six months of maturation in foudres, enhancing its complexity and balance.
Perfectly poised red fruit with a element of spice. With time in the glass more detail unravels.
The palate has a firm structure with granular tannins all wrapped in ripe fruit.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
A slightly riper and more deeply pitched nose is also attractively fresh with its aromas of plum and dark cherry. The sleek, vibrant and utterly delicious flavors exude a similar bead of minerality on the slightly more structured and longer if less refined finale. This too is worth considering.
86-89 points – Top Value
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge 'Fontaine St Martin’
Pre Arrival: $88
The Fontaine St Martin vineyard, a monopole of Domaine Michel Gros, spans 7 hectares on an east-southeast-facing hillside near Arcenant, rising between 350 and 390 meters. Overlooking the valley and the historic Cistercian abbey of Lieu-Dieu des Champs, its limestone and Upper Oxfordian marl soils, akin to those on the Hill of Corton, lend complexity and aging potential to the wine.
Reclaimed by the Gros family in 1976, the vineyard was replanted in stages, with Pinot Noir introduced between 1981 and 1986 and Chardonnay in 1987. The final hectare was acquired in 2007 and replanted in 2009, completing its restoration. Today, the vines average 35 years in age, contributing to the wine’s depth and structure.
Each parcel is vinified and aged separately, with blending just before bottling, ensuring the purest expression of this unique terroir.
A little more purity with slight higher tone & an additional element of sweet fruit.
The structure is finer, but not without present, firm but more ripe tannins that are wrapped in sumptuous, ripe, sweet fruit that retains clarity.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
This is aromatically similar to the Au Vallon with just a touch of wood influence in evidence. The round and delicious middleweight flavors possess slightly better mid-palate volume, indeed the suave texture is seductive, which contrasts somewhat with the dusty and abruptly short finish. This may well come together but it's awkward today.
85-88 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Nuits St Georges 'Les Chaliots'
Pre Arrival: $169
Located in the southern part of Nuits-Saint-Georges, 'Les Chaliots' sits on an alluvial cone, rich in small stones, giving the vineyard its name from "Chaille," meaning small stones. The clayey soil, low in limestone but rich in chailles—a reddish flint high in silica—enhances the wine’s minerality, pure fruit expression, and acidity, contributing to its robust structure and aging potential.
Covering 0.82 hectares, the 40-year-old vines lend depth and concentration, producing a wine that beautifully expresses the more detailed and feminine version of the terroir of Nuits-Saint-Georges.
A slightly more elegant nose reveals discreet spice and floral wisps on the red currant and softer earth nuances. The sleeker and more energetic middleweight flavors display a more evident bead of minerality on the lingering, robust and powerful finish where a touch of rusticity gradually appears.
87-90 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Morey St Denis 'en la Rue de Vergy'
Pre Arrival: $190
Perched just upslope from three Grand Cru vineyards of Morey-Saint-Denis (predominately Clos de Tart), the 'En la Rue de Vergy' vineyard benefits from a prime location, lending the wine precision and elegance.
Again, more pure with high toned red cherry, red currant & lovely lavendar lift. less of an underlying fruit sweetness than the previous & seemingly floating.
As the nose leads on, it sits above the palate leaving no impression of weight, just touching with fine, ripe, chalk like tannins
-Jono Hersey, FWC
A cool and perfumed nose offers up mostly red and dark currant aromas that display hints of violet and tea, all of which is trimmed in soft wood influence. There is excellent punch to the lightly mineral-inflected medium weight flavors that culminate in a chiseled, youthfully austere and slightly tangy finish.
88-90 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Chambolle Musigny
Pre Arrival: $265
Note: two-thirds of the total is from Les Argillières, a lieu-dit that directly abuts Musigny on its northern border with the rest being from Les Maladières, Les Mombies and Les Nazoires.
Rounder & welcoming with slightly denser fruit but with more of a floral profile than spice compared with the VR.
The palate is silent for half a second before showing power in the form of ripe plum flesh, ripe black cherry flesh. Delicious.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
Firm reduction renders the nose unreadable at present. The sleeker and finer middleweight flavors possess very good punch as well as a subtle minerality that carries over to the dusty, compact and youthfully austere finale that flirts with rusticity.
88-91 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Vosne Romanee
Pre Arrival: $265
Note: from 3 different parcels in Aux Réas, La Colombière and Au-Dessus de la Rivière.
Poised & red cherry dominate but not without a slight increase in presence & fruit. A little spice & tension but still relatively restrained.
The palate explodes & reveals more than the nose indicates with a spicy, present structure wrapped in ripe but not heavy fruit.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
A very Vosne-like nose freely reveals notes of plum, violet, pomegranate, sandalwood and Asian-style tea. The vibrant medium weight flavors exude a subtle minerality on the chalky, lingering and well-balanced finale where touches of warmth and youthful austerity slowly emerges. Lovely and a wine that should repay up to a decade of keeping.
88-91 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Nuits St Georges 1er Cru
Pre Arrival: $285
A blend of Aux Murgers and Vignerondes that connect, Vignerondes is to the south. Both have lighter soils with Murgers having more sand and gravel and Vignerondes with more Comblanchien limestone. The result is a wine with brooding fruit of Nuits Saint Georges but a little more finesse like Vosne Romanée.
Immediately floral & showing tense redcurrant squeezed over limestone. Ever changing and jaw clenching.
The palate is very energetic showing a fine skeletal structure of limestone wrapped with redcurrant.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
Ripe and pretty aromas include those of red and dark currant with background whiffs of earth and forest floor. There is fine volume to the caressing yet powerful and palate soaking medium-bodied flavors that firm up noticeably on the dusty, moderately austere and impressively persistent finale. This well-made effort will need at least some forbearance as it's pretty compact at present.
90-93 points – Outstanding
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Vosne Romanee 1er Cru 'Les Brulees'
Pre Arrival: $411
Situated in the Combe de Conceour and as any Combe throughout the Côte, is on varied soil. This combined with varying aspects makes it particularly hard to pinpoint the style of the wine produced by Les Brulees. The name would suggest a very warm site however this is not necessarily the case and there are north facing aspects as well as the cool breeze that comes down from the Hautes Côte, through the Combe de Conceour. It is often said, including by Allen Meadows, that if Les Brulees was in any other village than Vosne Romanée, it would almost definitely be a grand cru. 35+ year old vines that abut their parcel of Richebourg in Verroilles.
Bruised ripe red cherry, a sweet spine, fresh leather, and an ethereal blend of forest fruits encapsulating and changing in the glass.
The palate has a fine but-firm limestone structure wrapped in a myriad of forest fruit & cloves.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
An admirably discreet dollop of wood is present on the spicier broad-ranging nose of red and black pinot fruit, plum and exotic tea scents. The utterly delicious and seductively textured medium weight flavors are not as concentrated but they are finer, all wrapped in a more obviously mineral-driven, robust and impressively powerful finish. Patience absolutely recommended.
90-93 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Vosne Romanee 1er Cru 'Clos des Reas'
Pre Arrival: $402
Clos des Reas is the only premier cru monopole in Vosne Romanée. The current walls that encompass the vineyard were built between 1800 and 1810, the Gros family purchasing the 2.12 hectare vineyard in 1860. The high walls and buildings to the east protect the vineyard from the harsh cool winds from the north and east. In regard to soil, it is a little different, and in turn results in a supremely elegant wine - the top 50 centimetres is red soil with limestone, the subsoil is oligence marlwith salmon veins and large limestone blocks. The result is a wine with finesse and suppleness.
Fresher, tighter & more focused than the Brulees with white florals on top of the poised, ripe fruit.
The palate is finer, fresher and tightly wound with a core of fine minerality whilst wrapped in extremely fleshy black cherry & plum flesh.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
Slightly riper aromas of plum liqueur, violet, warm earth and plenty of spice elements lead to attractively textured flavors that display fine depth on the serious and youthfully austere finish that is borderline chewy. This promising built-to-age effort is clearly going to need extended keeping and I would suggest not touching a bottle for at least 7 to 8 years.
91-93 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Clos Vougeot 'Grand Maupertuis' Grand Cru
Pre Arrival: $723
Mid-slope, the 'Grand Maupertuis' parcel is famed for producing wines of exceptional depth and complexity. Its limestone and clay soils, typical of the Côte de Nuits, provide a robust structure and excellent aging potential. Very old vines and mid slopeThe 2022 vintage is matured in 100% new oak barrels, enhancing its richness and refinement.
Discreet wood and menthol influences easily allows the aromas of plum, dark currant, earth and evident sauvage character to be appreciated. The richer, more powerful and more complex broad-shouldered flavors are blessed with plenty of dry extract that helps to buffer the very firm, robust, compact and youthfully austere finale.
91-93 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Echezeaux 'Les Loächausses' Grand Cru
Pre Arrival: $749
The 'Les Loächausses' parcel, spanning 0.38 hectares was once part of the Gros Frère & Soeur cuvée.
Tightly wound, hightoned, aggressive that begins to open & show an incredibly appealing floral, ethereal perfume with just a hint of wood frame.
The palate has an incredible core of extremely tightly wound limestone that is piercingly powerful.
-Jono Hersey, FWC
A touch of wood toast sets off the pretty and very fresh red and dark currant and poached plum aromas that display top notes of Asian-style tea and lovely spice nuances. The cool and restrained middleweight flavors exude a distinct minerality on the linear, youthfully austere and sneaky long finish where the wood reappears. This is a bit oaky today but it appears to have the necessary density to integrate it in time.
92-94 points – Sweet Spot
Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2022 Domaine Michel Gros Richebourg Grand Cru
Pre Arrival: $2075
After a family reshuffle of Grand Cru vineyards, the Echezeaux 'Les Loächausses' was a welcome addition—but the 0.41-hectare parcel in the prestigious 'Les Vérroilles' climat of Richebourg was an even greater prize, marking a significant and exciting acquisition.
Here too there is a touch of wood toast lurking in the background of the wonderfully spicy, airy and cool array of mostly dark berry fruit and floral aromas. The tautly muscular and intensely mineral-driven bigger-bodied flavors possess innate power that carries over to the driving and exceptionally firm finale that is compact, serious and very much built-to-age. Excellent.
92-95 points
Allen Meadows, The Burghound