Pre Arrival Offer June 2022
OFFER CLOSED 25 JUNE 2022
ESTIMATED DELIVERY DATE SEPTEMBER 2022
Pre Arrival Offer June 2022 (View Landed Wines)
Producers included in this offer:
- Champagne Guiborat
- Le Grappin, Beaune
- Domaine Bart, Marsannay
- Millemann, Nuits St. Georges
Introduction
Our final pre arrival for the financial year is a bit of a mixed bag...
Domaine Bart is an institution for those who have been dealing with FWC since Ross Duke was at the helm. These are wines of exceptional value and allow people to explore the notion of Burgundy terroir at a very affordable rate.
Guiborat is the first producer I added to our stable. A truly electric producer, my personal pick is the Prisme as this wine's energy is unparalleled.
Le Grappin is a fresh addition. Andrew and Emma Nielson are a mix of Australian and English blood living in Burgundy, creating wines very much worthy of your attention!
Finally, Millemann, the very special, very sought after and very expensive wines from the Professor of Burgundy. Last year we did not sell one bottle pre arrival. When the second round of reviews were released by the press, all of the wines sold within a week at RRP. Think ahead, buy pre arrival.
Any questions at all, please reach out,
Jono
Champagne Guiborat
If Pierre Peters is a sword wrapped in silk, Guiborat is a sword connected to a power socket. Electric wines of vitality, chalk and life. Based in the Grand Cru village of Cramant in the Cotes de Blancs, Richard and Karine are absolute hot property in Champagne. I have previously said they are quickly becoming incredibly popular, they are now at the top echelon of sought after growers.
NV Tethys.19 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs RRP $161
Tethys is named after the Greek goddess of water and nursing, and the ancient sea in the Mesozic era that covered what is now known as Champagne. 100% Chardonnay. From four parcels. The young vines from ‘Les Caures’ predominantly make up the cuvée with the first three presses from the 2005 planting. The remainder is made from the ‘Taille’ of older vines from the vineyards below.
- Cramant – Les Bergieres – 1984
- Chouilly – Le Mont Aigu – 1970/1979
- Chouilly – Les Caures – 1946/2005 (Most of the cuvée is made from this planting)
- Oiry – Les Briquettes – 1969
Soils are predominantly homogeneous chalk. The difference between the plots is the thickness of the chalk and the depth of the topsoil. Winemaking: Gravity, minimal sulphur, low yields and gentle pressing. Seven months on lees in stainless steel and concrete, followed by 32 months on lees in bottle. Dosage: 2.5g/l.
NV Prisme.17 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs RRP $199
Prism [noun] “A transparent glass or plastic object that separates white light that passes through it into different colours.” Cambridge Dictionary. Never has a name of a wine been truer. 100% Chardonnay. Again from four parcels throughout the Côte des Blancs, as follows:
- 34% - Cramant – Les Bergieres – 1984 – Moyen – 2001
- 42% - Chouilly – Les Caures – 1946/1988
- 24% - Oiry – Les Briquettes – 1969
From plots within the vineyards with particularly pure limestone and chalk, and thin topsoil. Winemaking: Only the cuvée (first 3 presses) is used. Malolactic fermentation is blocked. Seven months on lees in 96% stainless steel (4% is large oak barrels) followed by 44 months on lees in bottle plus 12 months cork ageing in the Guiborat cellar. Dosage: 1.5g/l
2015 De Caures, a Mont Aigu Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs RRP $302
Le Grappin, Beaune
Andrew Nielson, an Australian, was working in advertising in Hong Kong when he had a bottle of Dujac Clos de la Roche. This bottle prompted the ex rugby player to quit his job and travel the world doing harvest. Before and after studying at The Waite Campus in Adelaide, Andrew completed harvests at; Kosta Browne, California, Felton Road, Central Otago, Cold Stream Hills, Yarra valley amongst others before ending up at Domaine Simon Bize in Savigny les Beaune, Burgundy. His partner, Emma would continue her day job in London before they both moved to Beaune to live permanently.
The wines are expressive, pure and clean. They offer both drinkability but also pure expressions of the terroir in which they are found. These wines come highly recommended.
2020 Macon-Villages RRP $81
2020 Fleurie Poncie RRP $94
2020 Montagny 1er Cru 'Les Truffieres' Blanc RRP $134
Organic since the 80s, no herbicides since the 70s – a new cuvée here, bottled in August. A proper Montagny nose with a bit of added roundness. Hmm – that’s got plenty of flavour complexity and a wide base of more mineral flavour but without any harshness. That’s a super finish. - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
2020 Savigny les Beaune Blanc RRP $169
Above the village, direction Bouilland and bottled after the Montagny
This nose is more composed. The palate has more depth of mineral underpinning – perhaps a slight reduction. The finish is the best part today – thats really lovely and even slightly tannic. A wine that always seems to begin its peak drinking from about 3 years of age and hold tenaciously… - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
2020 Savigny les Beaune Rouge RRP $169
Plenty but not excessive colour. Fresh and even a bit mineral flavoured. Mouth-filling – I love the energy – there’s almost a Beaujolais energy here which is quite exciting. - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
2020 Monthelie 'Les Troisieres' Blanc RRP $189
2020 Beaune 1er Cru 'Les Greves' Blanc RRP $243
2020 Beaune 1er Cru 'Boucherottes' Rouge RRP $243
A more cosy, almost textured nose – delicious depth – that’s a super nose. The texture is again enveloping, layered flavour, energy and tons of concentration. Thats going to be a completely delicious wine. It’s a beauty. - Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report
Domaine Bart, Marsannay
Domaine Bart is a producer of astonishingly good value, classic Red Burgundy. Based in Marsannay and a descendant of the infamous Clair-Dau family, it comes as no surprise that they have a balance of some of the best value sites in Burgundy - Marsannay’s lieu-dits, plus large holdings in tier 1 grand cru vineyards Bonnes Mares and Chambertin Clos de Beze.
Domaine Bart emphasise the balance between fruit, acidity and tannin, perfectly. To do so they practice organic principles in the vineyard as well as hand picking, and in the winery, they predominately destem fruit, cold macerate prior to fermentation, use wild yeast, and don’t fine or filter.
NV Cremant de Bourgogne RRP $69
100% Pinot Noir. A little reduction upon opening that quickly blows off revealing a little custard apple, quince and slightly unripe strawberry and raspberry. Slightly savoury dried yoghurt and mountain herbs. The palate is fresh with fruit weight and grip but bone dry with lovely drive. A lot of ‘Marsannay’ character in this Crémant, that is fruity with a nice line of minerality. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2020 Bourgogne Aligoté RRP $57
80 yr old vines. Jaw clenching, high toned and precise. Lemon and lemon juice focus with simple yet delicious florals. A searing line of lemon pith and grip wrapped in a little grapefruit oil is finished with a pleasing amount of grapefruit bitterness on the finish. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2019 Bourgogne Rouge RRP $69
Delicate ripe red fruits entwined with an engaging but reserved perfume. A little white button mushroom and undergrowth but predominately primary fruits. The palate is salivating and long with a confected and bitter cherry sweetness that wraps the gentle and discreet structure. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2019 Marsannay Rouge RRP $81
A little more brooding but not heavy, just merely a little more closed with the introduction of some darker fruits. A whisper of violets. A lot more fruit on the palate. Quite round, nice and welcoming but not heavy. The gentle, ripe tannins are wrapped in sweet confected cherry. Very moreish. - Jono Hersey, FWC
A notably ripe dark berry fruit nose includes hints of cassis and black cherry along with plenty of earth influence. The rich and generously proportioned flavors possess good tension and a relatively tender mid-palate that contrasts with the somewhat rustic finale. This should drink well young. 86-89 points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Marsannay 'Les Finottes' RRP $93
Ripens early, lots of millerandage. A monopole of Domaine Bart since 2007 when the last piece of vineyard was secured. The vines were planted in 1926 and 1952, on sandy alluvial soil that produce a fruit forward style of Marsannay. 100% destemmed, 10% new wood (1/3 in tank, 1/3 in barrel and 1/3 in demi muids).
A little more fine boned, open and ‘airy’ showing its skeleton. A white floralprofile still with a little sweet fruit. The palate mirrors the nose with an emphasis on its ‘show all’ character. Light and boney with fine sweet fruit splattered across the palate. Nice length. - Jono Hersey, FWC
2019 Marsannay 'Ouzelay' RRP $98
Thirty year old vines that are a little further down the slope from Les Longeroies and Les Finottes. 100% destemmed and 15% new wood.
All but imperceptible wood influence is present on the ripe yet slightly fresher aromas of mostly dark berries along with earthy and mildly sauvage hints. There is slightly better underlying tension to the rich and sleek flavors that possess both good minerality and detail on the lingering and well-balanced finish that is both firmer yet finer. In contrast to the first two wines, this will need at least a few years of patience first. 88-90 points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Marsannay 'Longeroies' RRP $109
Les Longeroies vineyard is in the top tier of Marsannay, to be elevated to premier cru status. The vineyards itself can be divided into an upper and lower section; Dessus des Longeroies and Bas des Longeroies respectively. The upper is made up of limestone slabs and the lower is comprised of thick reddish marl. Domaine Bart has one third situated in the upper portion and two thirds in the lower portion. 30% new wood and 15% whole bunch.
A little more fruit focused with medicinal red fruit and confect/glazed cherries. A little bitter cherry lift. The palate has brilliant energy and really quite tight and focused. Relatively firm structure and ample length. Wonderful balance. - Jono Hersey, FWC
This is aromatically at once fresher and cooler with its array of red and dark cherry scents, earth and pretty floral wisps. The more energetic and detailed flavors are even sleeker and with more evident minerality suffusing the youthfully austere finale. This too is going to need at least a few years of forbearance. 89-92 points. - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Marsannay 'La Montagne' RRP $121
Les Montagne is situated high on the slope above Les Longeroies, on premeaux rock with thin soil. Some shade from the forest balances the southerly aspect that captures a lot of warmth during the growing season. 25% whole bunch.
More ‘full’, more savoury with less confected and glazed characters. A savoury spice lift. A little underlying cherry. The palate has succulent fruit and firm structure. Longer and a little more serious than previous. - Jono Hersey, FWC
A slightly more floral-infused nose speaks of both lavender and violet on the spicy purple fruit nose. The succulent, vibrant and round medium weight flavors exude a subtle minerality on the nicely detailed and lingering finale. This isn't as complex as the Longeroies, but I like the balance and sense of harmony. 89-91 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Marsannay 'Es-Chezot' RRP $121
A cooler terroir that is further up in the upper Combe of Marsannay; The cooling winds from the Hautes Cotes blow down and delay ripening. This is the last parcel to be picked! Sometimes by ten days. The cooling winds also minimise rot. The soil is shallow with many small marine fossils (Ostrea acuminate) and the wine is aged in demi muids to preserve fruit and minerality.
Fragrant and open with more of a ‘pretty’ persona. A little airy with lavender, nuances of florals and a touch of glazed cherry. Tight and focused, light on its feet. Salivating squeeze of fresh lime over ripe raspberry. Fine boned. - Jono Hersey, FWC
A markedly cooler nose is quite fresh with airy aromas of dark raspberry, earth and a whiff of spice and in particular anise. The vibrant and chiseled middle weight flavors terminate in a linear, youthfully austere and compact finale. This always needs time to open and will require at least a few years of patience first. 89-91 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Marsannay 'St Jacques' RRP $109
High on the hill above the village.
2019 Marsannay 'Grands Vignes' RRP $114
A very well-situated site at the southern end of Marsannay. Naturally low yielding. 30% whole bunch and 25% new wood.
More robust and brooding with a little more rusticity. A little more forward plum, spice and a little brandy spirit. Fuller like the Grands Vignes but not as rustic. Shows a little more refined fruit with a delicate, pretty framboise lift. - Jono Hersey, FWC
Like the Clos du Roy, the nose is brooding and almost mute while only grudgingly revealing its notes of ripe plum, warm earth and hint of violet. There is a lovely sense of underlying tension to the appealingly delineated and overtly stony flavors that possess much better depth and persistence on the youthfully austere finale. This will also need at least a few years of bottle age to unwind and flesh out. 89-92 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Marsannay 'Champs Salomon' RRP $147
Shows qualities of its southern neighbour Gevrey Chambertin: power, elegance and longevity. Mid slope with soils of calcaire a entroques (limestone).
Perfumed and very pretty aromas speak of elegant dark pinot fruit that is cut with interesting hints of spiced tea, blood orange and whiff of humus character. There is both good volume and intensity to the tautly muscular, dusty and impressively complex finale that exhibits sneaky good length. This is also relatively tightly wound as the compact tannins will need time to resolve. 90-92 points, outstanding - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Marsannay 'Clos du Roy' RRP $147
A steep, east facing vineyard to the north of the village. Hard limestone covered in lightish red soil. Very good real estate for Marsannay.
A brooding dark berry fruit nose reflects plenty of both warm earth and distinct sauvage nuances. There is fine underlying tension to the minerally and nicely detailed medium-bodied flavors that possess a finer texture on the lingering and firmer finale that is also somewhat austere. This moderately broad-shouldered and more tightly wound effort is again going to require at least some patience. 89-91 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Santenay en Bievau RRP $98
Santenay produce rustic reds that are similar to that of Chassagne Montrachet reds. Domaine Bart own 1.2 hectares of En Bievau with an average vine age of 65 years. It’s a south east facing aspect with a gentle slope and clay limestone mixed with shale, situated above 1er Cru La Maladiere. 100% destemming, cold maceration, slow natural fermentation and gentle pressing, produces a finer wine than the region usually allows.
2019 Fixin RRP $137
Fixin as a village sits further south below Marsannay and shares many similarities with its neighbour to the south, Gevrey-Chambertin. The wines are ‘sauvage’ with considerable size and tannins. Bart’s Fixin is made up of two parcels; Le Clos and Champenbots.
A discreet application of wood frames notes of ripe plum, black cherry and pungent earth. The supple yet reasonably precise middle weight flavors possess a dusty texture that also characterizes the relatively linear and once again, youthfully austere finish. This should be reasonably accessible after only a few years of cellaring. 87-89 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Fixin 1er Cru Hervelets RRP $215
The premier cru vineyards Les Arvelet and Les Hervelets can both be named Les Hervelets in a catchall. Bart has parcels in both. While Fixin is masculine, rustic and on a larger scale, Les Hervelets is renowned for being feminine and fragrant. They are often compared to Chambolle Musigny.
Perfumed and full with suav, luxurious fruit. A little confected cherryand cassis richness. Violets and roses. The palate is sumptuous and suave with luxuriously ripe, soft tannins. Beautifully long and flavourful yet completely in check. - Jono Hersey, FWC
A fresh, cool and highly expressive nose offers up notes of dark currant and newly turned earth along with a vaguely sauvage/forest floor element. There is a lovely sense of energy to the moderately refined medium weight flavors that exude evident minerality on the sneaky long, firm and softly austere finale. This is lovely and very Hervelets in style. 90-92 points, outstanding, top value - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru RRP $795
Bonnes Mares is an extremely sought after grand cru. It sits at the belly of slope in Chambolle Musigny (1.5 hectares in Morey St Denis). The incline is gentle and can be divided into two parts: the upper section with Terres Blanches and the lower with Terres Rouges. Bonnes Mares produces wines with depth and colour. The nose is complex, potent, opulent and substantial. The palate however can show mineral austerity when young. This austerity turns to suavity and refined elegance with age.
In 1985 when Domaine Clair-Dau was divided between family, Domaine Bart inherited a huge one hectare plot within Bonnes Mares. Their parcel lies alongside Domaine de Vogues’ parcel. At less than one third of Vogues price, this could be the best value Bonnes Mares available. Half of Bart’s vines were planted in 1926/1927 and have a lot of millerandage. Both of these factors result in an incredibly magical wine. Bart handles their grand crus differently opting for 50% new wood and 50% whole bunch, as they believe the density of the fruit can withstand the winemaking decisions. Fourteen barrels are made.
Beautifully sweet fruited nose with density and delicious, defined sweet baking spices. Closed but all of the while giving so much. The palate is sumptuously rich and layered with incredibly ripe and stupidly suave soft tannins . Incredible length with a spine of lively purple fruit. - Jono Hersey, FWC
Here too there is an agreeably freshness to the notably riper nose that reflects notes of dark berry liqueur, mocha and violets. The rich and solidly concentrated broad-shouldered flavors possess a succulent mid-palate while delivering outstanding length on the sappy bitter cherry-inflected finish. This too will need to develop more complexity but the underlying material is present so that may potentially occur. 91-94 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2019 Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru RRP $908
Chambertin Clos de Beze is one of Burgundy’s finest vineyards. The king of wines and the wine of kings! Clos de Beze has an easterly slope that is steeper than Chambertin, ensuring perfect drainage and mid slope positioning. The upper portion has white marly soil while the lower is brown and chalky. Both are rich in mineral salts and calcareous debris. Chambertin Clos de Beze produces wines with balance between finesse and power, however the shape of the wine is absolutely round. 0.41 hectares from the Clair Dau divide in 1985. Originally planted in 1904 with considerable replanting since, it has an incredibly high vine density of 14,000 vines per hectare. The wine is treated the same as the Bonnes Mares with 50% new wood and 50% whole bunch.
A little higher toned fruit with sweet cinnamon and cloves. Detailed but closed. Yet to reveal its potential. The palate is sumptuous with energy and length with an underlying christmas pudding complexity and richness. Beautiful and long. - Jono Hersey, FWC
This is at once a bit fresher and certainly spicier with its pretty, even airy, aromas of red currant, Asian-style tea, rose petal and a whiff of lavender. There is terrific verve to the even better delineated if not quite as seductively textured flavors that exhibit very fine length on the balanced and refreshing finale. Like the Bonnes Mares, this needs to develop more overall depth, but it should be capable of that with time in bottle. 91-94 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
Millemann, Nuits St. Georges
Pierre Millemann is an internationally known enologist that consults for a wide variety of wine producers in many different countries including several prominent domaines in Burgundy. Given his intimate knowledge of these domaines, and beginning with the 2017 vintage, he decided to make wines under his own label using fruit from biodynamically farmed vines. The idea is to do as little as possible though that doesn't necessarily mean producing so-called natural wines. Production quantities are very low and he works only with grand cru fruit, both red and white. For example, there are two barrels made of the Corton-Charlemagne and one barrel each of the reds. The latter were vinified with relatively high proportions of whole clusters. The wines see 18 months of élevage and the 2019s, reviewed below, were bottled in May 2021. The 2020 and 2019 wines from Corton-Charlemagne will be reviewed in Issue 87. (The Wine Forum, www.thewineforum.org, USA; Mon Millésime, Beaune, UK and Asia; Cave SA, Gland, Switzerland and Schwarzer Adler, Germany). - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2020 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru RRP $1950
Not in a state to write a tasting note. One comment is the baffling structure, nothing short of remarkable. - Jono Hersey, FWC
The malolactic fermentation had finished, but the wine had not yet been sulphured. Pale yellow with a complex nose, suggestive of brioche, hiding the appellation at the moment. Not important at this stage. Massive intensity on the palate, a light lick of almond paste, excellent acidity, which is what Pierre likes, and these grapes come from higher up the slope. Light grapefruit notes to finish, the stones will be there in time. This is more discreet than the flamboyant 2019, but will turn into a beautifully nuanced wine, I suspect. 13.7% alcohol. Tasted: July 2021. 95-98 points, 5 star wine - Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
2020 Corton-Renardes Grand Cru RRP $1465
Extremely dense and tight fruit with a very dark fruit spectrum. A nuance of violet tries to lift through the plush, overtly ripe plum. A whisper of sweet spice but so, so, so closed. The palate has silk like perfectly ripe tannins with a very sensual mouth coating sensation. The incredibly moreish and ripe black cherry, plum and blackberry jam flavours last for what seems like an eternity. - Jono Hersey, FWC
A slightly thicker textured ruby purple, with a rumbustious nose of concentrated ripe fruit. Some plum notes, some dark cherries, but welcoming rather than too extrovert. A very faint biscuit touch from the barrel, in a very minor key. Softly rewarding on the palate, a little bit of orange zest mixed into the red fruit, complex. 13.7% alcohol. Tasted: July 2021. 92-95 points - Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
Very restrained aromas of poached plum, spice and sauvage hints are trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is excellent underlying tension to the delicious and caressing but punchy larger-scaled flavors that exude a lovely minerality before concluding in a lingering and youthfully austere finish. This is sufficiently structured to need at least 5 to 7 years before it will be approachable, and it should easily reward 10 to 12. 91-93 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2020 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru RRP $2690
Restrained yet highly toned with delicate hints of violets, lavender, a little whole bunch spiciness lifting from the luxuriously ripe and suave blackberry cassis, very ripe griotte, plum and other black fruits. The palate has brilliant energy with an incredible tension along the wonderfully ripe fruit. There is a very firm, yet ripe tannin structure. Many years ahead. - Jono Hersey, FWC
Rich clean purple, with a strong intensity of fruit on the nose, including crushed dark strawberry. Suavely concentrated, a little bit biscuity behind, at this stage of its elevage, very good tension from the fine-boned acidity, tannins just barely noticeable, all aspects which will refine further with the elevage. Noticeably persistent, a Bonnes Mares that has absolutely retained its natural character but with extra grace. A little whole bunch crunch to finish. 13.7% alcohol. Tasted: July 2021. 95-98 points, 5 star wine - Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
Here too the wood treatment is admirably subtle though still perceptible as it surrounds the cool and earth red berry fruit aromas. There is fine volume and richness to the slightly bigger-bodied and more concentrated flavors that flash good muscle on the slightly firmer youthfully austere finish. Lovely and I like the balanced interplay of fruit, tannin and acidity. 92-94 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound
2020 Chambertin Grand Cru RRP $2955
A brooding sauvage plum and sweet spice nose initially that begins to reveal a little more of a purple fruit lift. A little more white floral spice and lemon pith also showing intermittently. Classic Chambertin chocolate/sweet spice character. The palate explodes, builds and builds with incredible energy and life. There is a blueberry fruit lift amongst the array of sweet spice and dried cacao. Beautiful structure. - Jono Hersey, FWC
Rich full purple. At this stage the bouquet comes across as on the meaty side, a touch of horse to it. Nothing like the finesse of the 2019 but there is still 10 months of elevage to come. A touch of caffeine. There is a wealth of beautifully balanced fruit on the palate however, much more classical and entirely clean, with a fine crisp acidity to finish off. Harder to assess at this stage, but assuming the aromatics settle down this will make a very fine bottle. Superb persistence once again. 50% stems on very old vines. 13.5% alcohol. Tasted: July 2021. 95-99 points - Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy
This is aromatically similar to the Bonnes Mares though its both cooler and slightly more complex. There is excellent delineation to the attractively textured, focused and powerful broad-shouldered flavors that coat the palate with sappy dry extract that also buffers the firm tannic spine shaping the impressively long and equally austere finale. This is really quite classy though note that ample patience will be required if you wish to see it at its peak. 93-95 points - Allen Meadows, The Burghound