Pre Arrival Offer Winter 2021 Part B (CLOSED)
OFFER OPENS FRIDAY 16 JULY
OFFER CLOSES FRIDAY 30 JULY
WINE LANDS OCTOBER (LANDED)
PRE ARRIVAL OFFER WINTER 2021 PART B (VIEW WINES)
Hello and welcome to a smaller, Burgundycentric plus very sought after Champagne Claude Cazals Pre Arrival Offer!
We have been allocated 240 bottles total from Champagne Claude Cazals plus they’ve very kindly gifted us 18 bottles of their 2003 Clos Cazals. This came after a discussion about rich Champagnes and how well they pair with food. Delphine Cazals wanted to share with us just how pleasurable this could be and as such, if you buy 11 bottles of Claude Cazals your 12th bottle will be a free bottle of 2003 Clos Cazals. This is a pretty over the top deal, we are incredibly thankful for the generosity of the family. There are only 18 bottles so first in best dressed.
Domaine Alain Gras is situated in the Cote d’Or back country of Saint Romain, producing beautiful wines of extreme value. His wines are poured at 21 of the 26 Michelin 3-star restaurants in France. We have been allocated 240 bottles of 2019 Saint Romain Blanc and 48 half bottles. As far as I know this is the first time they have been shipped to Australia.
If you have been on our mailing list for a couple of years you will need no introduction to Domaine Michel Niellon of Chassagne-Montrachet. One of Burgundy’s great white wine producers of absolute class, drinkability and complexity.
We sold almost all of our Domaine Bart allocation last year in the Pre Arrival Offer. The Pinot Noirs scream of Marsannay with lovely fruit and silky tannins. Very, very worthy of your attention. This year we also have 120 bottles each of Crémant de Bourgogne, Bourgogne Aligoté and Marsannay Rosé. All of which are perfect as summer thirst quenchers and very reasonably priced.
Any questions please get in touch. We expect this offer to be very popular and all allocations are based on a first come, first served basis.
Cheers!
Jono, wine@frenchwinecentre.com +61 427 643 674
Producers included in this offer:
- Champagne Claude Cazals, Le Mesnil sur Oger
- Domaine Alain Gras, Saint Romain
- Domaine Michel Niellon, Chassagne Montrachet
- Domaine Bart, Marsannay
Champagne Claude Cazals, Le Mesnil sur Oger
In 1897 Ernest Cazals, a cooper from the South of France, married a girl from Champagne. That was the creation of what is now known as Claude Cazals.
The Domaine has nine hectares spread across four villages in the Côte des Blancs: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Vertus and Villeneuve. The pearl of the Domaine is a three hectare clos in the heart of Oger, next to the church. The oldest vines that ripen at almost a full degree higher than other vines in Oger, go into Le Clos Cazals, while the younger vines go into La Chapelle du Clos. Both very serious examples of Grand Cru Chardonnay in Champagne. The clos is one of only 21 in the whole of Champagne.
Claude Cazals was a coinventor of the now famous gyropalette that riddles wine mechanically until the dead yeast has settled in the neck of the bottle ready for disgorgement. A huge claim to fame!
These wines are highly sought after, particularly in America where demand far outweighs supply.
We have a fun little promotion for you. Your 12th bottle with every 11 will be a 2003 Clos Cazals at no extra charge. We were allocated 240 bottles of Claude Cazals and as an extra gift (after a couple of Champagnes) we were given 18 bottles of the 2003 Clos Cazals. This offer is therefor, for the first 18 dozens purchased, so please get in quick and organise Champagne for spring! Just order the 11 bottles and we will allocate the 12th to you behind the scenes.
NV Cuvée Vive Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
2013 base vintage. 3g/l / The most beautifully defined, vibrant wine with a certain electric and floral detail which I just have not seen before. The palate is fine, vibrant, long delicate and intricate. The detail and energy this wine has is truly outstanding.
NV Cuvée Rosé Grand Cru
88% Chardonnay, 12% Pinot Noir. 9g/l / Delicate nose of white almond, unripe strawberry and raspberry. Lovely lifted roses and violets. The palate has lovely weight with soft, creamy sweetness freshened with a big squeeze of fresh lime. Lovely Rosé.
2014 Chapelle du Clos Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
6g/l / An incredible harmony between freshness and power. An electric floral note just like the Cuvée Vive. The palate is firm yet electric. Long and structured. Genuinely fine Champagne.
2010 Clos Cazals Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
A nuance of custard apple savouriness lifts through the apparent weight and power. Poached apple, poached pear, and a lick of sweet spice. The palate coats the mouth with baked fruits of apple, pear and quince. Dense fruit with length and power. Very structured.
2003 Clos Cazals Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs: Not for individual sale
Free as your 12th bottle with a purchase of 11 bottles of Champagne Claude Cazals. (18 available)
A beautifully rich nose. It shows that Clos Cazals, while a warm site, can still absolutely shine in a warm year, if not over deliver. The palate is considerably richer, pleasant but very powerful. Dried citrus, lemon and grapefruit, ginger, cloves and spice. Looking back at the nose a lovely truffle character is building.
PSA: Go buy some Foie Gras, sear and place on a thick cut of brioche with a little jam of some sort. Consume bottle and enjoy being a fantastic person.
Domaine Alain Gras, Saint Romain
From humble beginnings, Alain Gras is now known as the leading vigneron in Saint Romain. As previously mentioned, his wines are poured in 21 of the 26 Michelin 3-star restaurants in France. They are proudly drunk by connoisseurs and known as the everyday drinker for knowledgeable Burgundy enthusiasts.
2019 Saint Romain Blanc 375ml: RRP $70
2019 Saint Romain Blanc 750ml: RRP $108
A beautifully fine, delicate and classy wood frame that does not hinder from the beautifully high toned, mineral and delicate florals. The palate is electric and mineral with a nice amount of puppy fat fruit that wraps the almost aggressive minerality. Class and refinement at an affordable price point.
Domaine Michel Niellon, Chassagne Montrachet
Domaine Michel Niellon and Domaine Ramonet are the two leading producers in Chassagne-Montrachet; with cult status and followed closely by those in the know. Their minute volumes make them a name you need to search for or stumble across, but you have struck gold when you do. Niellon are often the first to pick in the village stating that they would rather pick earlier than later. Even with this mindset their wines have a wonderful volume to them, with a beautiful energetic rock salt minerality all the while.
It is no secret how much I adore the wines of Michel Niellon. This is our third vintage working with them
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Bourgogne Blanc: RRP $82
From vines in front of the winery in Chassagne. Slight fine wood frame, dry extract dominates still with a high toned lemon pith lightness. The palate is electric, mouth filling, lemon pith, grapefruit pith. Lots of dry extract with firm structure. Lovely.
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc: RRP $175
An assembly of 15 terroirs throughout Chassagne-Montrachet. A finer nose with trademark rock salt and pith shining through. A smoked gun flint nuance, charred limes, bath salts, washing detergent. The palate is fine, salty, pithy, a good volume of dry extract while maintaining drive and freshness. Finest and longest village yet!
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Clos de la Maltroie’: RRP $243
A large enclosed vineyard of four hectares with a wall down the middle. The top half is a monopole; Clos du Chateau de la Maltroye. The bottom half is owned by three growers; Guy Amiot, Jean-Noel Gagnard and of course, Michel Niellon. Niellon owns 0.52 hectares that was planted in 1977.
A little more lemon juice, forward detailed florals, a little more pith. The palate is energetic, full and juicy. More mouth filling than the Chassagne Blanc but less dry extract.
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Les Champgains’: RRP $243
Positioned on the mid slope in the centre of the village, on soils of clay and fragmented rocks. Niellon has a 0.44 hectare portion.
A little more savoury, restrained, a nuance of baby sick and dried milk. Just a touch of gunflint, dry extract building again laced with lime juice. The palate is filled with fine dry extract. Substantial and detailed structure. Lemon juice, but not as forward as the Maltroie.
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Les Chenevottes’: RRP $243
A vineyard with close proximity to Montrachet, that certainly reflects some of the power and brooding nature of said vineyard. Niellon’s parcel is a painfully small at 0.18 hectares.
Slight wood frame, more power, smoky reduction, gun flint, woven , ethereal, so powerful yet so discreet. Hugely powerful, driven and electric. Such class with powerful woven phenolics.
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Clos St Jean’: RRP $243
Positioned at the top of the slope to the west of the village, just by a large limestone quarry. Many say this vineyard is more suited to red wine, however this wine and the 2017, for me, is as good as white wine can be. Niellon’s parcel is 0.52 hectares.
A little higher toned and more pure than the Chenevottes. Grapefruit and mandarin citrus lift with nuances of jasmin and dried honeysuckle. The palate is salivating with honeysuckle, jasmin, lemon juice and a slight salinity. Very pure. A little bit of puppy fat. Very detailed which builds even more so, with time in the glass.
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru ‘Les Chaumées- Clos de la Truffiere’: RRP $243
Situated in the northern end of the village high on the hill. The Clos de la Truffiere portion has particularly light, stony soils which produce vibrant and complex whites.
Tasted on the visit, however we were in the vineyard and consumed the bottle with no notes. Apologies! Below is William Kelley’s review. I believe William to be the authority on Burgundy today.
"The 2019 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumées Clos de la Truffière is showing especially well, mingling aromas of pear, orange oil, white flowers and toasted bread with hints of smoke and beeswax. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, with terrific cut and chalky structuring extract, it's long and penetrating."
94+ William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru: RRP $1156
Another painfully small parcel for Niellon at 0.22 hectares. Situated above La Cabotte and below Bouchard, this is their only plot within Puligny. Situated on the limestone plateau, it took explosives to be able to plant the vines in 1968 and 1972.
Incredibly closed, almost an almost-non-existent nose upon opening. Coaxing the wine for 10 minutes it begins to open and show incredibly delicate smokiness with underlying fruit building. On the palate there is an impossibly long rainwater purity. Painfully intense nothingness that seems to go on for eternity. Incredible things to come.
2019 Domaine Michel Niellon Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge: RRP $100
Chassagne Rouge in the right hands is fantastic value. Niellon has three parcels totalling 1.5 hectares.
Beautifully wild black cherry with violets and white florals. Wonderful tension. The palate is tightly wound with jammy kirsch cherries. A nuance of mountain herbs and just a touch of black olive.
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 $52
Not tasted on this trip. However, is bone dry.
2019 Bourgogne Aligoté: RRP $43
2019 Marsannay Rosé: RRP $52
2018 Bourgogne Cote d’Or Rouge: RRP $54
A high toned, vibrant nose of redcurrant, red cherry, raspberry and florals of vibrant roses. The palate is bright and vibrant with wonderful freshness and crunchy red fruits. A lovely core of pithy minerality that is akin to a very pleasing squeeze of fresh lime over freshly picked ripe raspberries.
2018 Marsannay ‘Les Finottes’: RRP $73
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).
Brooding underlying fruit that brings you in while a high tone of redcurrant keeps thing fresh. A smoky nuance is also present making this a very intriguing and pleasing nose. The palate is perfectly resolved with ripe, silky tannins that coat the mouth. The fruit is brooding yet with brighter crunchy red fruits also.
2018 Marsannay ‘Les Ouzelay’ RRP $77
Thirty year old vines that are a little further down the slope from Les Longeroies and Les Finottes. 100% destemmed and 15% new wood. Bright, crunchy red and black cherries and kirsch cherries; pleasant beautiful and confected aromatics. The palate is fresh, vibrant, and taut all with deliciously wild and ripe cherries.
More plum bramble with savoury sweet spice character, blueberry cassis, blackcurrant leaf. The palate is heavier with the same bramble/cassis characters. Long, round and powerful with chocolate richness and silky tannins.
2018 Marsannay ‘Les Longeroies’: RRP $87
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.
High toned glazed cherry, plum liqueur, quite open and jubey. The palate is also jubey, juicy, round yet with a glimmer of high tone. Lovely fruit, lovely texture and open deliciousness.
2018 Marsannay ‘En la Montagne’: RRP $96
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.
High toned and perfumed nose with tension and coiled up pretty fruit. Roses and violets lift from the glass. Very pretty. A lovely balance of fresh and dry cherry. The palate is wonderfully balanced, fresh fruit and ripe tannins. The fruit is so very pretty with bright electric, purple florals.
2018 Marsannay ‘Es Chezots’: RRP $96
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. More of a dark fruit profile with aromatics of ripe plum and plum bramble. The palate is succulent with fantastic lively fruit laced throughout.
A balance between jubey and fresh fruit. A whisper of underlying brooding fruit gives a lovely and intriguing character. The palate is fresh that leans towards refreshing austerity. Lovely freshness with a hint of cool mint zippiness.
2018 Marsannay ‘Les Saint Jacques’: RRP $87
High on the hill above the village.
A deep red cherry which is a little more closed yet still defined. The nose will take some time to open and show the wine’s aromatics. The palate is dense and also refined. Closed yet delicious. A structured fine wine that will benefit from time.
2018 Marsannay ‘Les grand-Vignes’: RRP $91
A very well-situated site at the southern end of Marsannay. Naturally low yielding. 30% whole bunch and 25% new wood. Stunning balance, completely in-check, taut and precise. Slightly closed. The palate is incredibly fine, driven, succulent, structured, layered and fresh. Great drive, complexity, fine structure and very good length.
Very brooding with ripe, dried strawberries, strawberry cassis and raspberry liqueur. The palate is sumptuous, structured, full, velvety, firm yet with a squeeze of lime juice drizzled over the top.
2018 Marsannay ‘Au Champs Salomon’: RRP $119
Shows qualities of its southern neighbour Gevrey Chambertin: power, elegance and longevity. Mid slope with soils of calcaire a entroques (limestone).
A more classic marriage of red and black fruits that balance between forest floor. Neither brooding nor high toned. The beautifully balanced fruit will take some cellar time to reveal its beauty in the form of balance. The palate is sumptuous, long, pleasing and youthful. It is balanced, filled with fruit and perfect tannins. Yet to reveal its potential.
2018 Marsannay ‘Clos du Roy’: RRP $119
A steep, east facing vineyard to the north of the village. Hard limestone covered in lightish red soil. Very good real estate for Marsannay.
Not tasted on this visit.
2018 Fixin: RRP $110
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.
Not tasted on this visit.
2018 Fixin 1er Cru ‘Les Hervelets’: RRP $175
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, detailed, floral, violets, ripe raspberry. The palate is woven with purple and blue fruits, and high toned crunchy redcurrant and wild herbs. Long, suave and sumptuous.
2018 Santenay ‘en Bievau’: RRP $78
Santenay is the most important southern village in the Cote d’Or, so quite literally the other end of Burgundy proper! They 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.
Not tasted on this visit.
2018 Bonnes Mares Grand Cru: RRP $659
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.
A full nose of sweet, suve fruit and violets. Powerful yet dialled back. Light on its feet. The palate is so full and sumptuous with a myriad of beautifully ripe plum, blackberries, liqueurs and forest floor. Very long, very silky and pleasurably textural.
2018 Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru: RRP $752
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.
Eight barrels are made.
Fine and spicy nose that is lifted with classic ‘Beze’ spice, this is an incredible sweet spice of incredible definition. The fruit seems extremely open as if dried yet so fresh. The palate is coated with spicy phenolics and bramble fruit. Round yet very, very long.