($45): The Gambal team, led by winemaker Geraldine Godot who joined Gambal in 2009, has captured the “flavor without weight” character of red Burgundy with this elegant Beaune Grèves. Its lacey delicacy belies its impact and persistence. A firm underpinning gives it support and structure. … Read more
Category Archives: France – Burgundy
Maison Louis Jadot, Bourgogne Blanc (France) Chardonnay “Steel” 2012
($17, Kobrand Wine & Spirits): Maison Louis Jadot, one of Burgundy’s best producers, has fashioned this Bourgogne Blanc for the US by highlighting Chardonnay on the front label relegating the appellation to the back. The gray label and proprietary name, Steel, remind us this crisp white was fermented and aged in stainless steel to allow the subtle minerality and green apple-like fruitiness to shine. … Read more
Maison Albert Bichot, Bourgogne Rouge (France) Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes 2011
($18, Horizon Beverage Company): Both Burgundy fans will and newcomers to this mine field-laden region will be thrilled with this bargain priced wine. Burgundy aficionados will embrace it because it’s an authentic red Burgundy at great price, delivering earthiness to complement its fruitiness. … Read more
Maison Louis Latour, Bourgogne Gamay (France) 2011
($16, Louis Latour USA): Bourgogne Gamey is a newly created appellation for Burgundy with the 2011 vintage that allows producers to blend Gamay grown in the crus, or named villages, of Beaujolais with Pinot Noir. It differs and is a step above the longstanding and locally popular appellation Bourgogne Passetoutgrains because the Gamay for Passetoutgrains can come from anywhere within Beaujolais.… Read more
Château des Labourons, Fleurie (Burgundy, France) 2011
($18, Louis Latour USA): Fleurie, one of the ten named villages or crus of Beaujolais, is allowed to put its name on the label, with or without reference to Beaujolais. The Château des Labourons has opted to omit Beaujolais from the label because, as Bernard Retornaz, the President of Louis Latour Inc in charge of North American Market, said, “This is real wine, not some grapey swill that’s become associated with Beaujolais.” … Read more
Giraudon, Bourgogne Chitry (Burgundy, France) “Cépage Pinot Noir” 2010
($20, Wine Traditions Ltd.): Most wines from this little known appellation between Chablis and Auxerre, are simply labeled Bourgogne Rouge because virtually no one has heard of Chitry. Giraudon reminds us–with the moniker Cépage Pinot Noir–that this wine is made entirely from Pinot Noir because regulations allow a small amount of César, an obscure grape, in the blend.… Read more
Thank you, Jacques Lardière
Pierre-Henry Gagey, President of Maison Louis Jadot, set the tone for a dinner honoring the retiring legend Jacques Lardière with the invitation he sent months in advance. The invitation noted that the dinner was to thank Lardière for all he had done for “Burgundy and Maison Jadot.”… Read more
Alex Gambal, Grand Cru Clos Vougeot (Burgundy, France) 2009
($175, Schneiders of Capital Hill): The 2009 vintage produced excellent red Burgundies. This is one of them. Though quite ripe, reflective of the warmth of the vintage, it has not lost its focus or identity. This Clos Vougeot captures the minerality and floral aspect of that Grand Cru vineyard and has plenty of structure beneath the ripeness and to assure a long life.… Read more
Château de la Maltroye, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru (Burgundy, France) Clos du Château de la Maltroye 2010
($75, Jeanne Marie de Champs): This vineyard surrounds the Château de la Maltroye and is owned solely by them, somewhat of a rarity in Burgundy since most vineyards have been divided and subdivided among multiple owners over the centuries. Full disclosure: I’m not a fan of red wine from Chassagne-Montrachet because they can be green and rustic.… Read more
Maison J. J. Vincent, Beaujolais Villages (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2009
($12, Frederick Wildman & Sons): J. J. Vincent is best known for their consistently excellent Pouilly Fuissé from their domaine, the Chateau de Fuissé. This Beaujolais-Villages, however, comes from the négociant side of their company, from vines located within the village of Juliénas, but not within that cru’s appellation. … Read more
Potel-Aviron, Chénas (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2009
($19, Frederick Wildman): I love the range of Potel-Aviron’s 2009 Beaujolais. They are ripe and precise across the board. This Chénas, perhaps the least well-known Beaujolais cru, has plenty of verve to balance the explosive fruit. Plumy undertones and a hint of earthiness come together beautifully. … Read more
Burgundy Update: Tiny 2012 Yields Presage a Pricey Future
“The most expensive vintage ever,” was how Louis-Fabrice Latour, President of the prestigious Beaune-based négociant, Maison Louis Latour, and current head of the association of Burgundy négociants, described the 2012 vintage in Burgundy. “Yields are down by 60% in many areas and we [négociants] are paying growers up to 30% more,” he explained.… Read more
Joseph Faiveley, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) 2009
($22, Frederick Wildman): Bourgogne Rouge comes from the least well-sited vineyards in Burgundy, ones that frequently don’t produce fully ripe grapes. The virtue of the 2009 vintage is that the warmth of the growing season ripened grapes even in the least desirable parcels. … Read more
Potel-Aviron, Juliénas (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2009
($19, Frederick Wildman): Juliénas, one of the ten named cru of Beaujolais, benefitted, like the rest of Burgundy, from the perfect 2009 growing season. And Potel-Aviron, one of the region’s most consistent producers, produced stunning 2009s. You can basically choose his 2009s blindfolded. … Read more
Domaine Lamarche, Clos de Vougeot (Burgundy, France) 2010
($170, Jeanne-Marie des Champs Selection): The producer is always important in selecting Burgundy, but especially when buying wine labeled Clos de Vougeot. The quality of the wines coming from this famed grand cru varies enormously because the vineyard is large and is divided among more than 60 owners. … Read more
Alex Gambal, Chambertin (Burgundy, France) 2008
($235, Ruby Wine): Alex Gambal’s new winemaker, Geraldine Godot, has brought his red wines to a new level. She modestly told me she didn’t make this wine. She just “raised” it. Well, she did an excellent job. It has superb weight and length, befitting a grand cru, with none of the hardness or angularity that plagued some 2008 reds. … Read more
Maison Ambroise, Corton Grand Cru (Burgundy, France) Rognet 2009
($121, Robert Kacher Selection): Maison Ambroise is a name you can trust in Burgundy. Their wines, from the lowliest appellation to the prestigious Grand Cru, such as this one, reflect the vintage and place beautifully. This gorgeous Corton Rognet is well structured with a solid core of dark minerality and luxurious, almost sweet, red and black fruit flavors. … Read more
Louis Jadot, Beaune Premier Cru (Burgundy, France) 2009
($40, Kobrand): A special bottling to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Maison Louis Jadot, one of Burgundy’s best producers, this Beaune Premier Cru is a blend of approximately 20 different premier cru vineyards, according to Frédéric Barnier, Jadot’s new technical director who will be replacing the legendary Jacques Lardière next year. … Read more
Maison Ambroise, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) “Aires” 2009
($20, Robert Kacher Selection): The source–a fifth of the wine comes from the appellations of Nuits St Georges and Cotes de Nuits Village–and the 45 year average age of the vines explains why this wine is so remarkable. This very fragrant Bourgogne Rouge delivers an enchanting combination of red fruit flavors and earthy herbal notes. … Read more
Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, Le Corton (Burgundy, France) 2010
($94, Henriot, Inc.): Philippe Prost, Bouchard’s winemaker, has outdone himself with this Corton. A beautifully structured frame supports luxuriously ripe dark fruit. Subtle bitter cherry notes emerge from beneath polished tannins. A savory component in the finish adds to the intrigue.… Read more
Domaine Michel Lafarge, Côte de Beaune Villages (Burgundy, France) 2009
($34, Becky Wasserman Selection): Lafarge, a world-renowned producer of Volnay, makes other wines, albeit in small quantities. They are so good they are worth the search, especially in the case of this Côte de Beaune Villages, which is reasonably priced, at least for Burgundy and Lafarge. … Read more
Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, Clos Vougeot (Burgundy, France) 2010
($160): Although a famous Grand Cru, Clos Vougeot is the source of highly variable wines because of the vast number of growers who own vines in this famed vineyard. Indeed, the Burgundy mantra of producer, producer, producer is doubly important here because the wines are never inexpensive. … Read more
Domaines Louis Jadot, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) “Couvent des Jacobins” 2009
($22, Kobrand): This Bourgogne Rouge is a real treat from Jadot
because the grapes come entirely from the domains they control: Domaine Louis Jadot, Domaine Héritiers Louis Jadot, and Domaine Gagey, which explains the labeling. No purchased grapes or wine go into this bottling, which distinguishes it from Jadot’s other Bourgogne Rouge. … Read more
Mongeard-Mugneret, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) 2010
($24, Vineyard Brands): Mongeard-Mugneret, a small grower located in Vosne-Romanée, makes traditionally proportioned graceful Burgundies. They emphasize elegance and persistence rather than shear power. And those characteristics are evident in this Bourgogne Rouge. It’s a fine introduction to true Burgundy, showing the savory and earthy side of Pinot Noir.… Read more
Mongeard-Mugneret, Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits (Burgundy, France) “Les Dames Huguettes” 2010
($30): The Hautes Côtes, a far less prestigious area of Burgundy, is the source of good value wines from top-notch producers, such as Mongeard-Mugneret. This one packs a little more power than their straight Bourgogne Rouge that is coupled with a charming rusticity. … Read more
Domaine Humbert Frères, Gevrey-Chambertin (Burgundy, France) Vieilles Vignes 2009
($60, Vins Divins): Not all village wines are created equal, which highlights another flaw in the French appellation system. This one towers above most village wines because of the contribution of the old vines that, for whatever reason, add a dose of complexity. … Read more
Mommessin, Clos de Tart (Burgundy, France) 2009
($485, Jeanne-Marie de Champs, Domaines & Saveurs Collection): Clos de Tart is one of the most under rated grand crus of the Côte de Nuits. Located in Morey St. Denis and owned entirely by the Mommessin family, it has been producing sensational wine since Sylvain Pitiot, who is obsessed with quality, took over as cellar master in 1996. … Read more
Alain Burguet, Gevrey-Chambertin (Burgundy, France) “Mes Favorites” Vieilles Vignes 2009
($100, Frederick Wildman): Here’s an example of how the French appellation system breaks down. This village wine delivers more elegance and complexity than many producers’ wines from premier cru vineyards. For this wine, Burguet combines grapes from old vines located in various parcels that lie on the slope between the village and the road. … Read more
Potel-Aviron, Julienas (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2010
($15): As with the rest of Burgundy, Beaujolais had two great back-to-back vintages in 2009 and 2010. And, as with the rest of Burgundy, the styles of the two vintages in Beaujolais are very different, making it extremely difficult to choose between the two. … Read more
Potel-Aviron, Beaujolais Villages (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2009
($16, Frederick Wildman): Stéphane Aviron describes his 2009 Beaujolais as “sunny wines” because of the warmth of the vintage. Anyone who thinks that all Beaujolais is just tutti-fruity and jammy should try his wines. Spiced with a touch of minerality, this 2009 Beaujolais Villages harbors not a hint of overt grapey flavors. … Read more
Domaine Dominique Gallois, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) Les Petits Cazetiers 2009
($90, Frederick Wildman): Les Petits Cazetiers is adjacent to Les Cazetiers, its famous neighbor that many producers believe is the village’s best premier cru vineyard. But there’s nothing small about this wine. It’s quintessential Burgundy delivering flavor without heaviness. Leathery and earthy notes peek out from a rich, but not overbearing, assortment of red and black fruit flavors. … Read more
Potel-Aviron, Côte de Brouilly (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) Vieilles Vignes 2009
($18, Frederick Wildman): The Côte de Brouilly, one of the ten crus of Beaujolais, is known for stylish wines. And this is one of them. Firm, but not hard, a classy minerality explodes on the palate. This is serious stuff. 92 Michael Apstein Mar 27, 2012… Read more
A Tale of Two Vintages
Is it hype or is it true? Do 2009 and 2010 represent back-to-back great vintages for Burgundy or is it just another case of the French crying wolf with yet more “vintages of the century?” My vote goes to truth rather than hype, although the two vintages couldn’t be more different.… Read more
Maison Louis Jadot, Beaune Premier Cru (Burgundy, France) Clos des Couchereaux 2009
($40, Kobrand): There should be no question about the quality of the 2009 vintage for red Burgundy. A potential criticism is that they lack structure that would allow them to develop complexity with age. Well, one sip of this wine dispels that notion. … Read more
Domaine du Château de Chorey, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) Vieilles Vignes 2009
($25, Becky Wasserman Selection): A vintage like 2009, bathed in perfect weather during the entire growing season and through harvest, was especially beneficial to the lesser appellations that in poorer years suffer from under-ripe grapes that translate into thin wines. That’s why in 2009 a low prestige category, such as Bourgogne Rouge, from a conscientious producer, like Château du Chorey, is a bargain-priced over-achiever delivering far more than you’d expect. … Read more
Domaine Louis Latour, Beaune 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) Vignes Franches 2009
($63): This Premier Cru is always one of Latour’s best reds from the Côte de Beaune. The house has substantial holdings in this some of the best parts of this vineyard that they purchased over 100 years ago. Those who complain Latour’s reds are diluted and not up to the quality of their white wines need to take another look. … Read more
Maison Louis Latour, Gevrey-Chambertin (Burgundy, France) 2009
($66, Louis Latour, USA): Village wines from Gevrey-Chambertin can be among the most disappointing red Burgundies because some growers think they can get away bottling anything and selling it under that famous name. Fortunately, this is not one of them. Quite the contrary, the complexity and finesse suggest a premier cru. … Read more
A Simple Strategy for Buying Burgundy
Burgundy produces some of the world’s most exciting wines. Although many, such as those from Domaine Romanée Conti, Domaine Leroy, or Domaine Rousseau are priced in the stratosphere, affordable well-priced Burgundies do exist. But finding them can be like walking through a minefield.… Read more
Georges Duboeuf, Julienas (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) Chateau des Capitans 2010
($19, WJ Deutsch): Duboeuf, often dubbed the King of Beaujolais because he controls so much of the production of that region, was the first négociant to credit the individual grower by putting growers’ names, in addition to his own, on labels. … Read more
Maison Louis Jadot, Grand Cru Échézeaux (Burgundy, France) 2009
($150): The wines from Échézeaux, a large, 90-acre grand cru, are highly variable (like those from neighboring Clos de Vougeot). Although the producer is always important in selecting Burgundy, it’s doubly important when choosing Échézeaux. Jadot makes a great one, and it’s always one of their best wines.… Read more
Maison Louis Jadot, Beaune 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) Boucherottes 2009
($45, Kobrand): Jadot owns almost a third of this premier cru vineyard that lies in the southern part of Beaune, bordering Pommard. Though the 2009 red Burgundies are sensational across appellations, the wines from Beaune are especially engaging. It’s very floral and mineraly with sweet ripe dark fruit, plush tannins and great length.… Read more
Beaujolais Renaissance
Domaine Louis Latour, Grand Cru Corton (Burgundy, France) Grancey 2009
($95, Louis Latour USA): Corton is the one Grand Cru for red wine in the Côte de Beaune. A variety of vineyard names, such as Grèves or Clos du Roi, can be affixed after the name Corton. Grancey, however, is not one of those names. … Read more
Domaine Louis Latour, Grand Cru Corton Clos du Roi (Burgundy, France) 2009
($83, Louis Latour USA): This is a great wine. But that’s what you’d expect from a fabulous vintage, a superb locale (you think the king gets the second best plot in Corton?) and a conscientious and talented producer. Although Latour is one of the region’s most prominent négociants, this wine comes exclusively from estate-owned plots they purchased over 100 years ago. … Read more
Domaine Bart, Bourgogne (France) Pinot Noir 2009
($13, Jeanne-Marie de Champs): The 2009 vintage for red Burgundy is fabulous. The wines at the lower end of the prestige ladder, such as Bourgogne Rouge, will be especially attractive because the extra ripeness of the vintage helps even more at this level. … Read more
Georges DuBoeuf, Brouilly (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2009
($13, W. J. Deutsch and Sons): Brouilly, the largest of the Beaujolais crus, is known for good, but not terribly concentrated, wines. This one clearly did read its script and shows why the locals are hailing the 2009 vintage in Beaujolais as one of the best ever. … Read more
2009 Burgundies: A First Look
The Bordelais are not the only ones licking their chops as they offer the 2009 vintage for sale. Burgundians too are smiling as they taste their 2009s currently aging in barrels. In the words of Philippe Prost, the technical director at Bouchard Père et Fils, the wines are, “La beauté du Diable,” a French idiom that roughly means “too good to be true.”… Read more
Bouchard Père et Fils, Le Corton Grand Cru (Burgundy, France) 2007
($91, Henriot, Inc.): Bouchard has substantial holdings in Corton from which they make consistently fine examples. This is one of them. Showing its grand cru status, it conveys a core of ripe–almost sweet–fruit encircled by supple tannins. Remarkably forward, the charm of the 2007 vintage is apparent. … Read more
Bouchard Père et Fils, Beaune-Grèves (Burgundy, France) “Vigne de L’Enfant Jésus” 2007
($97, Henriot, Inc.): This is Bouchard’s flagship wine from the heart of the famed Beaune-Grèves vineyard. At trade tastings, they even offer it after the conventionally more highly regarded wines from the Corton appellation. Lighter and more forward than usual–reflective of the 2007 vintage–the mixture of bright red fruit and a stoniness still dances across the palate. … Read more
Burgundy: Sorting Out the ‘0 Tens’
“Let’s taste some 0 tens,” was Louis-Fabrice Latour’s invitation as I met him in late September at the imposing Chateau Grancey, the heart of the Domaine Latour estate in the picturesque Burgundian village of Aloxe-Corton where they vinify all the reds from their Domaine. … Read more