Pre Arrival Offer December 2021 (Closed)
OFFER OPENS FRIDAY 3 DECEMBER (5pm)
OFFER CLOSES TUESDAY 14 DECEMBER
WINE LANDS MID MARCH
*A note on shipping. While we experienced a delay with our previous shipment by a month, we have worked with Hillebrand and scheduled our full twelve month buying program next year because as they told me, “if we know when you want to ship well in advance, there shouldn’t be a problem”. The boat concerning this particular Pre Arrival Offer, is set to land late February however we are allowing a little extra time and calling it mid-March.
Pre Arrival Offer December 2021 (VIEW LANDED WINES)
Producers included in this offer:
- Domaine Agnès et Didier Dauvissat, Chablis
- Domaine Buisson Charles, Meursault
- Domaine Jean-Baptiste Boudier, Pernand Vergelesses
- Domaine Michel Gros, Vosne Romanée
Introduction
Ahhh, I’m back from France… My cholesterol, waistline and general wellbeing has relaxed. While this trip at six weeks long was shorter than last year’s at seven weeks long, it felt a lot more intense. Less cooking at home, less running and a lot more socialising with producers. With Covid seemingly becoming less of a restriction on the world (maybe), I hope to go back to ten day trips, taken more frequently. My health and the company’s sales will be very thankful!
The biggest news from France is the devastating frosts. Vintage 2020 in Burgundy was around 50% of its previous yield due to the drought and in 2021 the same is true but due to frosts which at a minimum wiped out 50% and in some cases 100% of grower yields. This is not a marketing strategy, it's genuinely catastrophic. If the French have another year of reduced yields there will be a lot of vignerons with serious financial hardship. Due to putting in a lot of time abroad and building relationships, as well as paying in advance, we are in a better position than most with regard to allocations. Many producers are using this as an opportunity to cut ties with customers. This makes a wine buying trip quite difficult when there is next to no stock available. We have luckily built a reputation as being ambassadors for France and in particular Burgundy which has helped us HUGELY in securing some pretty special producers this trip. Quite ironic considering I am a 31-year-old retired tractor driver that doesn’t speak the language. Passion is a powerful thing I suppose.
In this offer we have our fourth shipment of Domaine Agnès et Didier Dauvissat, of the 2020 vintage which is brilliant. Ripe but with nervosity. They produced about 20% of their potential in 2021… Keep in mind that Chablis will be almost non-existent next year.
Whenever I am talking with a producer or wine professional in France and I mention our producers, it is Buisson Charles that gets the biggest reaction. Patrick Essa of Buisson Charles, has created such a huge following in France with extreme admiration from his colleagues and peers in Burgundy and in particular, Meursault. They do demand attention and time. Allen Meadows’ tasting notes say it all (see further down).
Jean-Baptiste Boudier is a tall, gentle and young vigneron who was described to me as someone who represents the spirit of Burgundian vignerons. These wines blew me away. While energy in whites is sought after, when one can create the same energy in Red Burgundy all while ripe and silky, it is a truly special situation. Mark my words, this is some of the best Red Burgundy on the Cote d’Or, for a fraction of the price. We took every last bottle we could and would take four times as much if we could.
The offer includes our second vintage of Michel Gros. The first was the beautiful 2018s that sold out before the wine landed. If you bought these wines last year and haven’t opened a bottle, do so tonight and secure what you would like from the 2019 vintage which is even livelier.
Domaine Agnès et Didier Dauvissat, Chablis
“Could Florent Dauvissat be the next great winemaker to bear that famous surname?” Neal Martin, Vinous.com
I can safely say we discovered Agnès et Didier Dauvissat before the onslaught of popularity they have experienced in the last twelve months. The wines are everything good Chablis should be and I do believe the only reason it has taken them so long to reach the spotlight is due to their appellations, or lack thereof. With only Petit Chablis, Chablis and Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy, many writers and importers would have just brushed over them because of their lack of Montee de Tonnerre, Grand Cru etc.
2020 Petit Chablis RRP $55
Mint, spearmint, fresh water, iodine, saltwater, oyster shell, preserved lemon and brine. Fresh lemon juice and pith. Lovely tension. Incredibly vibrant, lively and light on its feet. As previous vintages this wine is quintessential cooling Chablis. Pithy lime dances on the palate with very delicate structure. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2020 Chablis AC RRP $66
From a parcel alongside Blanchot Grand Cru. As usual, more size and presence due to location (next door to Grand Cru Blanchot). Unlike previous years this matches the Petit Chablis’ liveliness. More lemon juice, mandarin skin, grapefruit oil. Iodine and saltwater. The palate is electric. It is muted for a very brief moment before incredible drive and persistence that does not appear to end, reveals itself. While there is present phenolic structure and minerality, it is very light on its feet. Best effort we have yet! - Jono Hersey, FWC
2020 Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy RRP $89
Very ‘airy’ and mineral, delicate citrus pith, lovely salinity and grapefruit pith.
The palate shares the vibrancy of the above two wines but turned up a notch. More present minerality that seems to stretch for what seems like an eternity. Again, this is a sensational effort. A brilliant vintage for the Beine Dauvissats. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2019 Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy RRP $89
Just above the lake before entering Beine from Chablis. This is actually from Côte de Savant which is a subdivision of Beauroy.
The 2019 Chablis Beauroy 1er Cru is a scintillating wine that you should try to buy before you finish reading this tasting note. Displaying exceptional delineation on the nose, it is taut, focused, minerally and quite Tribut in style. But the palate is where the action is: lip-smacking salinity, a keen line of acidity that dupes you into thinking this is from a cooler summer, and just a touch of spiciness that furnishes the long finish. Could Florent Dauvissat be the next great winemaker to bear that famous surname? 93 Points. - Neal Martin, Vinous.com
2019 Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy 1500ml RRP $198
2018 Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy 1500ml RRP $198
2017 Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy 1500ml RRP $198
Domaine Buisson Charles, Meursault
An important note to make about Buisson Charles is that they are one of the last to pick in the village (within reason). Patrick Essa believes in waiting for the grapes to ripen completely and as such showing exactly what the terroir is capable of. It has caused a lot of debate in the village as producers are picking earlier and earlier. While there has always been late picking, this usually results in blousy, flabby wines. What Patrick Essa manages to do is create wines that are ripe yet still incredibly fresh. It is this reason why it has started such a debate. The wines are completely transparent with no winemaking artefact, just structure. It makes for very interesting drinking but note that it does require attention to fully understand just how special the message these wines portray, is.
2019 Bourgogne Aligoté 'Hors Classe' RRP $94
From 45-year-old vines from a fine site in Meursault.
Subtle though still perceptible wood frames spice and ripe aromas of apple and pear. The racy, pure and delicious middle weight flavors possess good underlying tension and minerality on the very dry and sneaky long finish. This is an excellent Bourgogne and worth your interest. 87-90 Points. Oustanding. Top Value. - Allen meadows, The Burghound
2019 Bourgogne Blanc RRP $115
From Meursault based vines.
This is also attractively spicy with its aromas of hazelnut, freshly sliced apple and pear. There is fine intensity to the delicious and solidly concentrated medium weight flavors that possess a refreshing salinity on the lingering finale. This is also a quality Bourgogne. 87-89 Points. Outstanding, Top Value. - Allen meadows, The Burghound
2019 Meursault Vieilles Vignes RRP $193
Two hectares total production for this wine, from six vineyards throughout Meursault. The different lieu-dits bring certain characters to the wine. Vireuils and Meix Chavaux bring freshness and tension. Marcausses, Vignes Blanches and Pellans bring body and flesh. While Millerands brings an ideal delicacy to the wine.
Moderate reduction pushes the ripe fruit aromas to the background. The very rich full-bodied flavors possess impressive intensity while displaying excellent length on the linear, youthfully austere and very serious finish. This is a very fine Meursault villages and worth checking out. 89-92 Points. Outstanding. Top Value. - Allen meadows, The Burghound
2019 Meursault 'Vigne de 1945' RRP $227
From vines located below 1er Cru ‘Les Charmes’ in the lieu-dits of ‘Les Pellans’. While the incline of the vineyard slopes slightly north toward the township of Meursault with heavy soils, there is a higher portion also. This portion has a better aspect and shallower, poorer soils. This position along with vines planted in 1945 that are picked at the correct moment, results in the below tasting note. Nothing short of a very special wine.
This too flirts with exoticism on the ripe white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that are trimmed in mineral reduction nuances. There is a lovely sense of underlying tension to the beautifully well-detailed flavors that conclude in a bone-dry, youthfully austere and sneaky long finale. This too is a very fine Meursault villages that also merits consideration. 90-92 Points. Outstanding. Top Value. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Meursault 'Les Tessons' RRP $260
Undoubtedly from the finest of the Meursault ‘village’ lieu-dits. Mid-slope with an easterly aspect on perfectly drained stony soil of clay-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 myself and many of the growers, this so called less-desirable aspect actually produces wines of particular excitement and intrigue. They are wines of incredible energy and tension. This example is a perfect reference point.
Soft wood sets off pretty and nicely layered aromas of poached pear and citrus. Once again there is a borderline painful intensity to the mineral-driven and refined flavors that display outstanding length, and in particular for a villages level wine, on the balanced and youthfully austere finish where the only reproach is a touch of warmth. This is first rate and highly recommended. 90-93 Points. Outstanding. Top Value. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Meursault 1er Cru 'Les Cras' RRP $290
This is a premier cru vineyard high on the hill towards Volnay, away from the southern tip occupied by Perrieres, Genevrieres and Charmes. In fact, it is on the left-hand side as you veer down toward Meursault if driving from Pommard/Volnay. The vineyard itself can be divided into upper and lower. The upper band with stony limestone also has a good amount of blonde/brunette soil. This produces fine, delicate wines with a perfume and discreet fruitiness, if not for the short term. The lower band has much whiter soils with an oolite vein running through it. This results in very mineral wines that Patrick relates to Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots, or upper Corton- Charlemagne. The Domaine has a small number of vines - planted in 1955 - that result in 1200 bottles per harvest on average. From the lower section.
There is just enough reduction to push the ripe aromas of exotic yellow fruit and wood nuances to the background. The opulent but punchy and reasonably well-detailed middle weight flavors coat the palate with sappy dry extract while offering fine depth and persistence on the clean and very dry but not really austere finale. This is also quite good though it doesn't challenge the best of these Meursault 1ers. 91-93 Points. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Meursault 1er Cru 'Les Charmes' RRP $309
From a small plot in the upper portion of Les Charmes by Genevrieres and Perrieres, with a minute 1200 bottles produced. (0.17 hectares)
Here the wood treatment isn't subtle and includes mentholated nuances on the hazelnut, citrus confit and beautifully layered spice and apple scents. The succulent but well-delineated flavors pack excellent punch and much better depth and persistence on the markedly compact finale. This bone-dry beauty is very much built-to-age and I would recommend not touching a bottle before at least 5 years of age. 92-95 Points. Sweet spot. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Meursault 1er Cru 'Les Bouches Cheres' RRP $309
A fine site north of Genevrieres which shares the same fine boned nature.
An elegant and pure nose is picture perfect Meursault in character with its acacia blossom, grilled nut, spice and ripe white orchard fruit scents. The sleek and impressively intense medium weight flavors are crystalline in their purity with a lovely minerality suffusing the delicate but hugely long finale. This is a 'wow' wine and textbook Bouches Chères. 93-95 Points. Sweet spot. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Meursault 1er Cru 'La Goutte d'Or' RRP $309
A small cru producing wines of purity and accuracy due to having more of an easterly aspect, not unlike Tessons. The wines have an athletic and racy nature that ages wonderfully
There is enough wood to merit pointing out surrounding the riper aromas of white peach and pear compote along with spicy nuances of citrus confit. The bigger and richer medium weight plus flavors are also borderline painfully intense with superb concentration and evident power on the wonderfully persistent, palate drenching and balanced finale. This beautifully balance effort isn't especially refined but it is certainly impressive. 92-95 Points. Sweet spot. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru RRP $538
Moderate wood influence stops short of fighting with the mentholated aromas of apple, white flowers and quinine. The dense, powerful and muscular big-bodied flavors brim with both minerality and dry extract while flashing excellent length on the ever-so-slightly warm finale. 91-94 Points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Corton Blanc Grand Cru RRP $538
Even more discreet wood can be found on the white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that also flash a hint of phenolic character. There is again fine punch with more size and weight to the bigger-bodied flavors that flirt with rusticity on the otherwise impressively long and surprisingly forward finale. 89-92 Points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Bourgogne Rouge RRP $108
A ripe and pure nose displays aromas of plum, violet, dark cherry and earth. The sleek and delicious middle weight flavors possess very good definition on the firm, serious and sappy finish where a hint of mocha slowly emerges. This excellent effort is a dense Bourgogne that should reward several years of cellaring. 87-89 Points. Outstanding. Top Value. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Pommard 'en Mareau' RRP $160
From a cooler plot within the combe of the Avant Dheune and ripens much later and produces a more refined Pommard.
This is also notably ripe yet remains agreeably fresh with its array of various red berries, especially cherry, along with hints of black raspberry and earth. The sleeker and equally vibrant medium weight flavors possess a lovely texture and a hint of minerality that becomes more prominent as the youthfully austere finish sits on the palate. This is also firm and serious and a wine that will definitely need at least some patience. Worth considering. 89-91 Points. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Volnay 1er Cru 'Fremiets' RRP $309
Mid slope on the Pommard side of Volnay and as such, wines with a little more substance and body yet still very much Volnay-esque, are produced.
Once again there is very good ripeness to the overtly spicy aromas of dark berries, violet and soft wood scents. The mid-palate of the medium-bodied flavors is quite supple, yet the solidly structured, complex and nicely long finish makes clear that this is built to repay at least a decade's worth of cellaring. 90-92 Points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Volnay 1er Cru 'Santenots' RRP $309
From vines situated in the upper part of Les Plures that is distinctly rockier and actually more like a Caillerets than a classically rich and generous Santenots.
An elegant and admirably pure nose features notes of both red and dark pinot fruit, freshly turned earth and hints of anise and oak. The supple and delicious medium-bodied flavors retain good delineation and vibrancy while exhibiting solid length on the balanced finale. This needs to develop more depth to achieve the upper end of my projected range but the underlying material appears to be present for that to occur. 90-92 Points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Corton-Perrieres Grand Cru RRP $395
The grand cru hill of Corton is imposing, a complex patchwork of land holdings. There a many lieu-dits that do not live up to their grand cru stature however, a few hold the prestige with pride. Clos du Roi is the benchmark placed smack bang in the centre of the appellation on a mother rock of limestone, facing south-east. Just below Clos du Roi sits Corton-Perrieres with a touch more southerly aspect.
A spicier and more expressive nose possesses fine layering with its attractive spice and floral nuances that add breadth to the black raspberry and violet scents. The succulent yet powerful and serious broad-shouldered flavors possess equally good layering before concluding in a firm, youthfully austere, complex and long finish. Unlike the Clos du Roi that could be approached after 5 to 7 years, this will need most of a decade and reward 12 to 15 years of keeping. 91-94 Points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
Domaine Jean-Baptiste Boudier, Pernand Vergelesses
I tasted these wines less than a month ago and have fast tracked them to the front of the line on our shipping schedule. These wines have an immediate wow factor. That is, they are energetic yet ripe and velvety Pinot Noirs. Only one Chardonnay was tasted due to very, very small volumes available. It was also incredibly energetic. He has a delicate touch and understands the land, this is a producer to watch with his first vintage being in 2015 and only just inheriting more vineyards bringing the count from three to six hectares as of the 2021 vintage. Highly recommended.
2020 Pernand Vergelesses Blanc RRP $113
A one hectare planting, two thirds planted in the ‘50s and the rest in 1990. Quite high sites; half just below the forest and the other at 400m facing west. Both in shallow soils.
A little puppy fat lemonade that sheds in the glass to reveal sea spray and preserved lemon. Lovely interest and tension. Lemon juice, lemon pith and spice. The palate implodes for a moment before a beautiful line of acid and minerality breaks through the youthful core of tightly wound puppy fat. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2020 Pernand Vergelesses Blanc 1er Cru sous Fretille RRP $176
Not tasted at the domaine due to only 24 bottles being available. A miniscule 0.11 hectare plot planted in the ‘50s with some replanting over the last ten years. South east facing, at the top of the slope.
2019 tasting note supplied for reference:
The 2019 Pernand-Vergelesses Sous Fretille 1er Cru has a fresh bouquet of honeysuckle, lychee and light apricot aromas, all very well defined. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, vibrant orange zest and apricot notes segueing into a peachy finish while maintaining acidity all the way through. Maybe not long-term... but utterly delicious. 90 Points. - Neal Martin, Vinous.com
2020 Aloxe Corton Blanc Les Combes RRP $130
Not tasted at the domaine due to only 36 bottles being available. Another miniscule plot, 0.17 hecates (starting to see a theme here). Just below Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, just as the slope starts to fan out.
2020 Corton Charlemagne 'Le Corton' Grand Cru RRP $620
Not tasted at the domaine due to only twelve bottles being available. A 0.6 hectare plot, just below the woods. Very low yielding plot with anywhere between one and three barrels per harvest.
2019 tasting note supplied for reference
The 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Le Corton Grand Cru comes from a tiny 0.06-hectare parcel that yielded just a barrel this vintage. It has a focused, detailed bouquet of citrus fruit permeated with touches of white flower; hints of red apple, peach skin and apricot blossom develop with time. The palate is well balanced with a slightly honeyed texture, smooth and generous. Hints of dried apricot on the finish. Excellent. 94 Points. - Neal Martin, Vinous.com
2018 Corton Charlemagne 'Le Corton' Grand Cru RRP $620
Not tasted at the domaine due to only twelve bottles being available.
The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Le Corton Grand Cru is raised in a single one-year-old 300-liter barrel. It has a backward bouquet that demands coaxing from the glass, eventually offering beeswax and honeycomb aromas. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, and lightly spiced with a dab of ginger and tangerine toward the long finish. Excellent. 94 Points. - Neal Martin, Vinous.com
2020 Bourgogne Rouge 'Les Barrigards' RRP $79
A quarter of a hectare vineyard with 50-year-old vines which according to Jean-Baptisite and the taste of the wine, is superior Bourgogne Rouge!
Lovely density with lively red fruits & underlying black cherry. Violets. Very pretty! Incredible energy, beautifully ripe tannins, very long and full of life. A seriously special Bourgogne Rouge. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2020 Pernand Vergelesses Rouge 'Les Vignes Blanches' RRP $101
Getting even sillier in sizing here, at 0.09 hectares. Planted in the ‘50s and quite a cool aspect.
Slightly higher toned, more floral, more bright red fruits. A little citrus pith and quite taut. There is an underlying blackberry cassis richness which is beautiful. Perfectly ripe fruit and tannins which have an incredible energy, length and appeal. Very long. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2018 Savigny les beaune Rouge 'ez Connardises' RRP $106
0.17 hectare plot below 1er Cru Les Lavieres.
Beautifully fragrant. Showing more florals and red fruits without the underlying darker fruit profile of the previous 2 wines. That being said the red fruits are perfectly ripe and showing beautiful detail and moreish ripe characters. The palate is vibrant with nice weight. Cherry dominant with pleasing round, ripe tannins yet not heavy. Long cherry with a pleasing, slightly bitter amaro cherry. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2018 Pernand Vergelesses Rouge 1er Cru 'Les Fichots' RRP $116
Planted in the ‘50s with rich soils that produce wines of power.
Slight cherry cola, jubey red fruit. Round and welcoming yet is distinct and remains fresh and taut. Red and black cherries. The palate is brooding and long with present structure and tannins but all with the domaine’s trademark liveliness. Long. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2018 Aloxe Corton Rouge 'Les Combes' RRP $122
Another miniscule plot, 0.17 hectares. Just below Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, as the slope starts to fan out.
A lovely density but not heavy and very much alive. Ripe black cherry and a little ripe, soft plum. Nuance of crushed herbs and violets. The palate is powerful, alive, extremely energetic and long. Wonderfully pure with perfectly ripe tannins. Such a bloody good wine. - Jono Hersey, FWC
Domaine Michel Gros, Vosne Romanée
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. The results are elegant and very pretty wines 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, producing refreshing high acid wines. With vintages becoming warmer and dryer, the vineyards are producing fruit with ripe and resolved tannins, something they did not always have.
2019 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits Rouge RRP $90
Slightly more elegant and cooler aromas speak of essence of red currant with discreet spice nuances. The pure, racy and lightly stony flavors possess a more refined texture along with solid depth and persistence on the mildly rustic finish that also displays a hint of warmth. 86-89 Points. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge 'Au Vallon' RRP $95
This is aromatically similar to the straight Hautes Côtes cuvée with perhaps just a bit more layering. There is however a noticeable difference on the palate as the medium weight flavors are both sleeker and finer with a beguiling intensity to the more mineral-driven finish where again a hint of warmth gradually emerges. This is very good and worthy of your interest plus it should repay 3 to 5 years of cellaring. 87-89 Points. Outstanding. Top Value. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Rouge 'Fontaine St Martin RRP $99
Discreet wood influence is present on the more deeply pitched aromas of plum, spice and various dark berry scents. The medium-bodied flavors possess excellent volume with more evident power and punch on the moderately rustic and sneaky long finish. This is a big and rather serious wine by the standards of the appellation and in contrast to most wines from the Hautes Côtes, it will need at least a few years of patience. Excellent. 87-89 Points. Outstanding. Top Value. - Allen meadows, The Burghound
2019 Nuits St Georges 'Les Chaliots' RRP $182
Just north of ‘Les Saint Georges’ and east of ‘Les Poirets’. According to Michel, the vineyard produces wines with an incredible finely detailed mineral character while maintaining an abundance of fruit.
A brooding and notably ripe nose combines notes of plum liqueur and dark currant with those of warm earth and wood toast. The medium weight flavors are also quite rich and suave with reasonably good energy on the dusty and rustic if somewhat short finish. This may better harmonize in time. 87-90 Points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Morey St Denis 'en la Rue de Vergy RRP $196
A vineyard that sits directly above ‘Clos de tart’ Grand Cru. With a thin topsoil, the wines are mineral and light on their feet as well as having oodles of complexity.
A ripe yet airy nose features notes of black cherry, cassis and an appealing whiff of spice. There is unusually good volume and richness for the lieu-dit along with good minerality and length. This does need to develop more depth to merit the upper end of my projected range but it's already quite pretty. 88-91 Points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Chambolle Musigny RRP $245
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.
Reduction knocks down the nose today but there is good freshness and zip to the finer middle weight flavors that are at once sleek and delicious while displaying evident minerality on the dusty and slightly angular finish where a touch of rusticity appears. This is quite firm and will need at least some patience to become more approachable. 88-90 Points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Vosne Romanée RRP $245
From three different parcels in Aux Réas, La Colombière and Au-Dessus de la Rivière.
A discreet dollop of wood toast frames the spicy aromas of plum, cassis and exotic tea. There is again fine volume to the rich, velvety and seductive middle weight flavors that possess very good punch that carries over to the succulent and sappy if mildly austere finale. This is lovely and very Vosne. 89-91 Points. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru RRP $295
A blend of Aux Murgers and Vignerondes. Both of these vineyards connect, Vignerondes is to the south. Both have lighter soils, Murgers with more sand and gravel, and Vignerondes with more Comblanchien limestone. The result is a wine with the brooding fruit of Nuits St Georges but a little more finesse like Vosne Romanée.
A very ripe nose reluctantly offers up notes of roasted plum, warm earth and cassis. The suave, concentrated and sappy larger-scaled flavors coat the palate with dry extract while the powerful and serious finish reflects nuances of warm and wood. Patience strongly suggested. 89-92 Points. - Allen meadows, The Burghound
2019 Vosne Romanée 1er Cru 'Les Brulees' RRP $396
Situated in the Combe de Conceour on varied soils. 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.
More discreet wood influence is present on the slightly less ripe but spicier and more floral nose displays fresh fruit that derives more from the red side of the fruit spectrum. There is both very good intensity and density to the powerful and tautly muscular flavors that culminate in a robust and impressively persistent finish. This isn't an elegant wine, but it offers much to like in an age-worthy package. Patience again advised. 90-93 Points. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Vosne Romanee 1er Cru 'Clos des Reas' RRP $410
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 with the Gros family purchasing the 2.12 hectare vineyard in 1860. The high walls and buildings to the east protect the vineyard from the harshly cool winds from the north and east. With regard to soil, it is a little different and in turn, results in a supremely elegant wine. The top 50 centimetres is a red soil with limestone, the subsoil is oligence marlwith salmon veins and large limestone blacks. The result is a wine with finesse and suppleness.
This is also reduced but the fruit definitely seems ripe. More interesting are the energetic, detailed and solidly concentrated middle weight flavors that conclude in an equally powerful and lingering finish where a trace of warmth slowly becomes apparent. This is a relatively robust vintage for Clos des Réas and one that should age well over the mid to longer-term. Worth a look. 90-93 Points. Outstanding. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
