The 2010 vintage in Burgundy has created tremendous interest across the globe. It is one of those once-in-a-decade vintages where both whites and reds are exceptional. The key to the vintage is the superb freshness and acidity which makes all the wines transparent, mineral and light on their feet. The only problem with 2010 is the quantity. The production at most domaines was down 30%, and coupled with the high quality, many wines have been hard to buy. This Pre Arrival e-book features an expanded selection of domaines from our portfolio. There are 22 listed. It is not complete as we are either still waiting on tasting notes from major sources or stocks available are very small. Important domaines in our portfolio that are not in this e-book include: Anne Gros, Alex Gambal, Georges Lignier, Jean Chauvenet, Albert Morot, Comte Senard, Christian Clerget, Morey-Coffinet and Latour-Giraud. You will find them, and their latest wines, on our website. I suggest you take a look there as well. We already have a number of 2010’s in stock for immediate delivery. 2010 is a great vintage and if you love Burgundy you really should consider adding some of these wines to your cellar whilst you can. Our Pre Arrival Prices save you around 15% on the landed prices.
Cheers, Darren Harris Director
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne, Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au sales@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine Vincent and Francois Jouard 2010 ChassagneMontrachets "This is a domaine that has made great progress since it began domaine-bottling less than two decades ago. For lovers of fresh, elegant Chardonnay, gently oaked and with crisp, balancing acidity, this is a source well worth seeking out.� Remington Norman and Charles Taylor MW The Great Domaines of Burgundy Domaine Vincent and Francois Jouard are located in Chassagne-Montrachet. It is a reasonable sized estate with just over 10 hectares of vines. The two brothers took over the domaine upon the death of their father in 1990 and it was only in 1996 that they began to bottle their own wines. Even today, the 4 ha of red grapes are sold off to negociants as the Jouards prefer to focus on their elegant white wines. Lutte Raisonee is practised in the vineyard and vinification is traditional with batonnage performed once a week until malo is finished. The wines are aged in barrel, of which around one third are new. The domaine has a lovely range of Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Crus which I tasted earlier this year. They are wines of great style with full flavours balanced with vibrant acidity. They are classic Chassagnes from the terrific 2010 vintage. Stocks are very limited so please do not delay.
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Champs Gain Normal Price $105.00 Pre Arrival Price $88.95 From a 0.55 ha holding planted in 1959 and 1980. The most elegant of the domaine’s Premier Crus. The soil is relatively poor and the wine has great freshness and a pure fruit character. Lovely ripe fruit on the nose in the floral and citrus end of the spectrum. On the palate the same flavours citrus and a touch edge of complex candied peel with some smokey notes. The wine has a sense of lightless which along with the freshness and acidity makes this a delight. A beautiful drink.
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Maltroie Normal Price $105.00 Pre Arrival Price $88.95 From a 0.49 ha holding planted in 1952, 1959 and 1960. Riper and fuller than the Champs Canet. Citrus and spice with some nutiness. There is an intriguing and attractive orange/grapefruit note which is very refreshing. Great minerality on a very long, persistant finish. Complex, deep and intense. Remington Norman:With greater intensity and character, the Maltroie is a particularly fine wine. Planted in 1952, 1959 and 1960, all the vines here are impressively old and produce a wine with great depth and persistence. It has a wonderful, aromatic quality with a lovely, close-knit texture and great finesse. Jancis Robinson: Fresher and more salty on the nose than the Vieilles Vignes but with the same impressive depth and concentration on the palate. Satisfying fulness balanced by crisp acidity. 17
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot Les Fairendes Normal Price $109.00 Pre Arrival Price $92.95 Jouard own also a hectare in the climat of Fairendes, considered the finest portion of Morgeot. The vines were planted over a long period starting in 1930. The old vines add intensity and density. Burghound has described Jouard’s Morgeot as being of Grand Cru size and weight numerous times. Vibrant acidity, very fresh and lifted. The palate display grapefruit and a pineapple-like acidity - sweet, piquant and complex at the same time - and with great drive. Fuller bodied than the previous two wines but still fresh - that 2010 minerality is hard to disguise. A powerful wine with great extract from the old vines. Not heavy or clumsy in any way.
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumes Clos de la Truffiere Normal Price $119.00 Pre Arrival Price $99.95 A 0.71 ha parcel planted in 1951 and 1996. There are only three owners of this tiny (2.2ha) Clos, Domaine Michel Niellon being the only other to bottle the wine. Remington Norman: The poor soil and high altitude always results in a crisp, fresh wine but one that has great intensity and persistence. it is more reserved initially but comes into its own with a few years bottle age. Jasper Morris MW says of Chaumes “Part of the vineyard is known as Clos de la Truffiere. This is an excellent source for vibrant and relatively complex white Chassagne, grown on light stony soil with a noticeable slope.” A little matchstick sulphide which will appeal to many. Stonefruit and citrus with some flinty notes. Spice and great minerality support exceptional length. A rare wine worth adding to the cellar for its quality alone. Jancis Robinson: Taut and spicy, really tangy, though there's more minerality than overt fruit. Intense, mouthwatering and long. 17.5
The Impressive 2010 White Burgundies of Domaine Jean Chartron Featured in The Great Domaines of Burgundy by Remington Norman and Charles Taylor MW Established in 1859 by the cooper-craftsman Jean-Edouard Dupard, Domaine Jean Chartron has been managed by five generations concerned with both the expansion and prosperity of the prestigious vineyards and the management of the rural district. The village owes him its name. In 1873, Jean-Edouard Dupard as mayor of Puligny, asked the city council to authorize by decision that the name Montrachet - the most prestigious local growth name - could be added to Puligny, the original name of the village. The 1839 cadastre lists several original spellings including Mont Rachaz and Mont Rachat. The term Rachat or Rachet comes from the old French word Rache, formerly designating a scab: thus a shaven and scabby hill, its flat slabs of rock and kind of low walls made of just piled stones (locally called "murgers") forming its baldness. Never such a descriptive name could have been so accurately given to a hill: hardly emerging from the plain, the minute Montrachet hill looks like a “gougère” in the landscape. The origin of Puligny-Montrachet goes back to the Gallo-roman times, then called Puliniacus. The first vineyards have appeared in these times. However, the real expansion of the vineyards will only take place in 1095 when Pope Urban the Second ratified the donation of the parish of Puligny and its land to the famous Abbey of Cluny. The Burgundian viticultural civilisation started in the early first Century A.D. through the impetus given by the Romans. It developed during the sixth Century when numerous monasteries have been settled in Burgundy, amongst which the abbeys of Cluny and Cîteaux, famous for their influence on winegrowing. These monks who, century after century, divided the vineyards in many different plots (called "climats") and started the hierarchy of the wines, unique in the world and still in use in Burgundy. The influence of these abbeys over the whole Europe combined with the economic and cultural power of the Dukes of Burgundy will build up the fame of Burgundy wines. Strongly based on many vineyards of best terroirs of Puligny-Montrachet and its neighbours, Domaine Jean Chartron has naturally specialized in the vinification and the ageing of great Burgundy wines. I tasted at the domaine late last year and was really blown away with the quality of the 2010’s. The wines were either in tank ready to be bottled or in cask, not far from being racked and transfered to tank to settle. The wines universally showed great power and extract with a magnificent acid spine. They are classic, powerful wines and very serious in style. I tasted quite a few of the wines again at the Grands Jours de Bourgogne last month. They had been bottled recently and the quality only confirmed my prior thoughts. They were my best 2010 whites of the entire week! Recent vintages have been very well reviewed by the French press including Guide Hachette, Bourgogne Aujourd’hui, Bettane
and Desseauve, Gault Milleau, Revue des Vins de France, Dussert-Gerber, Gilbert and Gaillard - basically everybody. With the wines recently bottled there are no reviews of the 2010’s published yet. Trust me, they are fantastic. Don’t miss the terrific range of affordable whites!
2010 Bourgogne Chardonnay Clos de la Combe Usual Price $32.00 Pre-Arrival Price $27.20
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The bottom end wine but what a beauty! Made largely from vines planted 1944, 1945 and 1946 with some vines from the early 1960’s and 1990’s. Complex, interesting and full of flavour. A Bourgogne Blanc from a serious Puligny domaine for less than $30.00!
2010 Hautes Cotes de Beaune “En Bois Guillemain” Usual Price $34.00 Pre-Arrival Price $29.00
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From vines planted in 1971. Very fresh and lively on the palate. Very smart indeed for the appellation.
2010 Rully “Montmorin” Usual Price $38.00 Pre-Arrival Price $32.50 From a 3.37 ha plot planted in 1988 at the southern end of the commune. Tighter than the previous wines. Remington Norman describes the wine “The Rully Montmorin has been produced since the 2006 vintage and is a delicious, stylish wine, without great depth but well-made and attractively fruity.” I think it is better than that. Made to drink whilst young and fresh, this would be hard to beat.
2010 St Aubin 1er Cru Perrieres Usual Price $64.00 Pre-Arrival Price $54.00
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A tiny 0.29 ha holding of youngish vines. The name comes from the stones. Nice ripeness with stone fruits and an acid finish.
2010 St Aubin 1er Cru Les Murgers des Dents de Chien Usual Price $64.00 Pre-Arrival Price $54.00
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A fine site on the western end adjoining Puligny-Montrachet and close to the Grand Cru Montrachet. A Murger is a pile of stones created when a vigneron clears the land so he can plant. Dent de Chien translates as dog’s tooth - making working this vineyard of sharp stones a real pain. Well exposed and high on the hill this site always produces mineral wines. Remington Norman says about Chartron’s wine “Les Murgers des Dents
de Chien is fuller and richer with a tighter texture and greater length, delicious by any standards”. Not to be missed!
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet “Benoites” Usual Price $79.50 Pre-Arrival Price $68.00 Just over half a hectare planted in 1947 and 1995. Rich spiced pear nose. Full bodied and textured with a lovely acid finish. A great drink!
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Caillerets Usual Price $125.00 Pre-Arrival Price $106.00
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One of the great Premier Crus of Chassagne-Montrachet. Chartron owns just under 0.3 hectares of vines planted in 1947 and 1995. Riper with real punch. The wine is not fat simply very textured with great minerality. Very stylish as Caillerets typically is.
2010 Puligny-Montrachet Usual Price $87.00 Pre-Arrival Price $74.00 A third of a hectare planted in 1950, 1954, 1968 and 1980 - so very old wines for this Villages appellation. Rich and aromatic and well priced for hard to buy PulignyMontrachet. More restrained than the Chassagne wines. Stones, white flowers, smoke. Complex with a mineral finish. Very good.
2010 Puligny-Montrachet Vieilles Vignes Usual Price $105.00 Pre-Arrival Price $90.00 Focuses on the best of the old vines above. The old vines cuvee has more weight and power. Great to compare!
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres Usual Price $125.00 Pre-Arrival Price $106.00 Almost half a hectare planted in 1938, 1943, 1959, 1983 and 1989. remington Norman says “Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres is a richer, finer wine. The shallow, limestone-rich soil gives steely finesse, good natural acidity and a distinctive mineral flavour.” Always a popular vineyard amongst Puligny fans.
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2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Pucelle MONOPOLE Usual Price $155.00 Pre-Arrival Price $132.00
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1.16 hectares of old vines from 1950, 1954, 1968 and 1980. Pears and spice on the nose. A little oak. Richer and fuller with power and complexity. Remington Norman says of the wine “...is rounder and fuller than the Folatieres, less floral on the nose but with greater fatness and power. In a good vintage this might easily be mistaken for Batard-Montrachet - a junior version perhaps”.
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos du Caillerets MONOPOLE Usual Price $155.00 Pre-Arrival Price $132.00 A touch under a hectare planted over many years with a great portion in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Such was the quality of the site that some of it was reclassified as ChevalierMontrachet. Remington Norman says “The remaining Clos du Caillerets produces a white wine of distinction.” This is one serious wine! Both times I have tasted it I have been blown away. Very fine and mineral; long, subtle, stylish, persistant. Notes of fresh grass, mineral, smoke and wet stones. A blinder! (I can see why part of the vineyard was re-classified as Chevalier-Montrachet).
2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Usual Price $225.00 Pre-Arrival Price $191.00
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A minute holding of just 0.0856 hectares. No point telling you how good this is as I have just 6 bottles left to sell (it is super). Limit two bottles per person and priority to those who purchase a selection from the range.
2010 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $350.00 Pre-Arrival Price $299.00 Another tiny holding of just 0.1284 hectares. Big, full and powerful. Like all quality Batard-Montrachet this is a wine of substance. Behind the weight and power is a driven, mineral finish. A serious Grand Cru from the Puligny side. Terrific! (and Rare!)
2010 Chevalier-Montrachet Clos du Chevaliers MONOPOLE Grand Cru Usual Price $425.00 Pre-Arrival Price $361.00 Just under half a hectare planted in 1948, 1974 and 1986. Remington Norman says “...a fine amalgam of power and understated elegance, a wine of true grand cru breed”. With such a small quantity to sell I hesitate to tell you too much. Pears and cloves. Incredibly fine with more vibrancy and tingling
acidity. Superb length. Limit two bottles per person and priority to those who purchase a selection from the range.
2010 Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $975.00 Pre-Arrival Price $825.00 Sorry, no label image One barrel only, from the Puligny-Montrachet side. All you would imagine. Two bottles still available. Limit one bottle per person and priority to those who purchase a selection from the range.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine Heresztyn 2010 Burgundy Pre Arrival Offer "The Heresztyn Clos St-Denis is very serious indeed. It is a wine that has depth and texture, and that flashes with brilliant dark fruit. Wonderful stuff� Bill Nanson, The Finest Wines of Burgundy The poor economy of the 1930s forced many Poles to emigrate to France, a host nation that was desperately lacking in labour force. In 1932 Jean Heresztyn left his native Poland, finding work in Fixin, then Chambolle-Musigny and finally at Domaine Trapet in Gevrey-Chambertin. Ever diligent Jean began buying vineyards and in 1959, with 4 hectares of vines, he started his own business. He purchased a large house and cellars in Rue Richebourg, in the heart of Gevrey-Chambertin, and this is where Domaine Heresztyn was established and remains to this day. The domaine has expanded to 11 hectares and today it is run by Jean’s sons Stanislas and Bernard and their respective wives, Ewa and Chantal. Lutte Raisonnee is the approach used at the Domaine with ploughing prefered to herbicides. Green harvesting and leaf thinning are carried out to ensure the old vines deliver the best possible grapes with an average yield of 33-35 hl/ha. Bunches are both sorted in the vineyard and on the table in the winery and, depending on the vintage, around 20% whole clusters are retained. A cool pre-fermentation maceration is carried out to gain colour and about 30% new oak is used for all the more serious wines. The wines are assembled in stainless steel vats where they are left for an extended time to settle and avoid the need for filtering. Being located in Gevrey-Chambertin it is no surprise that the domaine specializes in these wines. They have a fine selection of Premier Crus culminating with a sublime Clos-St-Denis Grand Cru from just across the border.
We are very pleased to add this up and coming domaine to our portfolio. The bevy of Gevrey Premier Crus is worth a particular look.
2010 Bourgogne Rouge Normal Price $33.95 Pre Arrival Price $28.95 Heresztyn’s Bourgogne comes from five parcels located in Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny. In Gevrey: "Pince Vin" is situated mid-slope, on limestone soil and light scree. "Champ Franc" and "Au Prunier" are situated on lower slope, with limestone soil and sand mixed with clay. The parcels in Chambolle-Musigny: "En Pelson" and "Les Fosses" are also situated on lower slope, clay-limestone soil. Structured for a Bourgogne. You sense the origin of the grapes in the earth and red berries. Supple and round with acid and tannin on the finish.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny Normal Price $81.00 Pre Arrival Price $69.00 This wine is made up of four parcels, totalling just 0,52 ha, at the heart of the Chambolle-Musigny. 1. "Les Jutruots" at 300 metres elevation, 2. "Aux Echanges" at the bottom of the coomb, a lieu-dit also existing as a Premier Cru appellation, 3. "Les Fremières" at the bottom of the coomb, 4. "Les Bas Doix" at mid-slope, situated just below the prestigious Premier Cru Les Amoureuses. Redder fruit and softer tannins than the Gevrey wines. Red and blue Chambolle fruit with lovely freshness and vitality. Fine tannins suggest this wine will age very nicely indeed. Quite a charmer!
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Normal Price $73.50 Pre Arrival Price $62.50 The vines for this cuvee are mainly situated in the following lieux-dits: En Songe, En Derée, Les Gueulepines, En Jouise, Aux Corvées, Aux Etelois, En Billard, Charreux, Le Fourneau and La Platière. The oldest plantings go back to 1926. Soil is clay-limestone with a good proportion of marls, rich in shellfish fossils and clay. A few domaines we import offer a Vieilles Vignes cuvee where they have parcels that are too small to bottle individually. Invariably these wines punch well above their weight and this one is no exception. Deep, rich, classic Gevrey nose of iron, earth and dark fruit. Full and textured mid palate from the old vines, finishing with power and persistence. A top buy at the Pre Arrival Price of $62.50.
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Perriere Normal Price $115.00 Pre Arrival Price $97.50 Like most Perriere(s) vineyards in Burgundy this is named after the old quarry on the site. In Gevrey the old quarry has been filled with earth and planted. The presence of stones always means a more mineral wine. Red-black fruit, cherries and currants. Quite elegant and fine on the nose with a delightful, almost pretty, perfume. The palate combines racy fruit with minerals and stones. This is fine and energetic with great line.
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Goulots Normal Price $115.00 Pre Arrival Price $97.50 In Burgundy, the word "gole" and its feminine form "golotte", from the Latin "gula": gullet or throat, may designate sources of water, grottoes in the form of a funnel or the narrow prolongation of a coomb. This last option is the right one for this parcel. Traces of quarrying are found on this site, not just to extract stone but also clay, which was eagerly sought for making bread ovens. With elevation varying from 340 to 380 metres and good soil drainage, the vines grow here and are naturally very healthy. The soil comprises thin layers of white marl with limestone rock. Goulots is one of the most northern Premier Crus of Gevrey and with a total area of just 1.18 ha is not often seen. Domaine Heresztyn own just 0.3755 ha. Elegant wild berry aromas with floral notes. Mineral and structured on the palate with precise and intense flavours. Not a powerhouse but a wine of lovely intensity and ripe supple flavours with a long and delicious finish. Stylish!
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champonnets Normal Price $115.00 Pre Arrival Price $97.50 Champonnets is located just north of the Grand Cru Ruchottes-Chambertin. It is a high vineyard at 280 metres and has a fairly steep slope with considerable gravel at the top of the vineyard. Ripe cherry and plum notes, considerably more muscle than the Perriere. A masculine Gevrey with more iron and earth and a lovely sweetness of ripe berries. Dense and full bodied with mineral notes of 2010. The finish is classic Gevrey with firm but long tannins. The quality is up there with many Grand Crus.
2010 Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes Normal Price $115.00 Pre Arrival Price $97.50 A small holding of just 0.3758 ha, planted in 1958. Only about 150 cases produced! Millandes is located immediately below the Grand Cru Clos de la Roche. The grapes from this plot are always small and extraction is kept to a minimum as the wine already possesses natural structure, acidity and balance. Red-black in colour. Redder with less earth and more sweetness than the Gevreys. A bit of herb and violets rather than soil and the delightful texture of perfectly ripened fruit, overlayed with minerals. Fresh, elegant and vibrant.
2010 Clos-St-Denis Grand Cru Normal Price $229.00 Pre Arrival Price $195.00 It seems everyone is fond of Heresztyn’s Clos-St-Denis. Burghound consistently rates it highly and you have read Bill Nanson’s quote at the start of this offer. Heresztyn owns a tiny 0.2323 of a hectare from which they typically produce just over 1000 bottles. In 2010, the quantity was somewhat less. Unfortunately, if you want some of this you will need to buy some of the other wines, just as I must do! The first thing I notice is the perfume! Fine, floral, spicy and intriguing. There are red and black cherries, a little plum and lots of minerals. The palate combines those two wonderful characters of great Burgundy; power and elegance. Fresh, punchy, with just the right amount of fat. A wine of great character, not to be missed.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
PIERRE BOUREE 2010 Burgundy Pre Arrival Offer "I want to repeat that Maison Pierre Bourée is making absolutely superb white Burgundies and this is one of the bestkept secrets for great white wines in the entire Côte d'Or." John Gilman A View from the Cellar Issue 35 September-October 2011 "The Vallet family, who has run Maison Pierre Bourée for many decades, continues to be one of the "old school guard" in Burgundy and produces lovely, cellar-worthy wines that are old-fashioned in the very best sense of the term and generally require some cellaring to fully blossom and come into their own. Monsieur Vallet, like so many vignerons I spoke with on this trip, was even more bullish on the quality of his domaine's bottled 2008s and the 2010s still sitting in barrel. As far as the 2010s go, Monsieur Vallet commented that "the only thing not to like about this excellent vintage is that the quantities are very small in this vintage - but, what there is this year is superb." While the house made exclusively red wines for the vast, vast majority of its history and white wine production here is a fairly recent phenomenon, I want to repeat that Maison Pierre Bourée is making absolutely superb white Burgundies and this is one of the best-kept secrets for great white wines in the entire Côte d'Or." John Gilman, A View from the Cellar, Issue 35 September-October 2011 The Bourees were originally a family of lawyers from Dijon and Chalon-sur-Saone. In 1864 they purchased the assets of Thomas de Pellery which included vines in Beaune and Gevrey-Chambertin. The name of the domaine was changed to Pierre Bouree. When the market allowed additional vineyards were added including the Clos de la Justice in 1903. This monopole is unusual as it sits “on the wrong side of the road”. But the soil is high in limestone with topped with sand providing excellent drainage. In
1922 a parcel of the Grand Cru Charmes-Chambertin was added. The vineyard holdings were further extended in 1985 Beaune 1er Cru Epenottes and in 1993 Gevrey-Chambertin, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux and Bourgogne Rouge were added. In 1945 Bernard Bouree began training his nephew Louis Vallet, who, assisted by his brother Francois became the director of the house. Together they enlarged the cellars and fermenting room whilst developing the business outside of Europe. Today the house is run by Bernard and Jean-Christophe Vallet. Whilst they don’t use terms such as bio of lutte raissonee to describe their approach in the vineyards they choose not to use herbicides. They are pragmatic in their approach doing what needs to be done, without resorting to excess. The prune short which restricts their yields to between 25 and 40 hl/ha. Bouree makes wine in an uncompromising old-style - just as they have done for over a century. After the sorting table the reds go into the vat without destemming where they soak for a few days until fermentation starts. New oak is restricted to 20% - just enough to replace the older barrels each year. The wines are racked before bottling which is typically without filtration. It is amazing how things change in Burgundy. Pierre Bouree was well known in the past for their catalogue of great, old back vintages from their extensive cellars. Today the domaine is winning accolades for their new releases. In addition to John Gilman's glowing review, Domaine Pierre Bouree is featured in Bill Nanson's The Finest Wines of Burgundy. Both are a testament to a producer that is surprising all-comers.
We are very pleased to add this historic and traditional domaine to our portfolio. The wines combine traditional methods with modern know-how and are impressing those who taste them. On top of that there is the opportunity to buy a little aged wine from their venerable cellars!
WHITE WINES Bouree’s portfolio presents an interesting opportunity to taste a variety of affordable whites from different areas in Burgundy.
2010 Bourgogne Blanc Normal Price $34.00 Pre Arrival Price $28.95 John Gilman: The 2010 Bourgogne Blanc from Pierre Bourée is very fresh and very Puligny-like on both the nose and palate. The stylish bouquet offers up scents of white peaches, apple, orange zest, terres blanches and a topnote of spring flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and classy, with impressive length and grip for its appellation. This will be a very good value. 2012-2025. 87+ Points
2010 Auxey-Duresses Blanc Normal Price $56.95 Pre Arrival Price $48.50 John Gilman: Since the estate first began producing this bottling, I have consistently liked the Auxey-Duresses Blanc from Pierre Bourée and the 2010 will be no exception. The very fine nose offers up scents of apple, a bit of bee pollen, orange, chalky soil tones and spring flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with zesty acidity, lovely focus and grip and excellent length on the finish. Classy juice in the making. 2012-2030. 90 Points
2010 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Normal Price $60.95 Pre Arrival Price $51.95 An outstanding wine for the commune at a great price. John Gilman: To my knowledge, this is the first year that the house of Pierre Bourée has produced a St.Aubin, which is produced exclusively from premier crus, but sold as a straight St. Aubin villages (not correct). The bouquet is deep and excellent, as it jumps from the glass in a blend of apples, lemon zest, white flowers, chalky soil tones and just a touch of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and racy, with a great core of fruit, lovely focus and very good length and grip on the classy finish. A lovely example. 2012-2030. 91+ Points
2010 Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc Normal Price $60.95 Pre Arrival Price $51.95 John Gilman: The Vallets had bought the grapes from this parcel for a few years and having liked the results, bought the parcel in 2010. This is really a very lovely wine in the making, as it offers up a deep, ripe and soil-driven nose of pink grapefruit, pear, white flowers, stony soil tones and a top note of paraffin. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and classy, with snappy acids and a long, complex and well-balanced finish. The 2010 Auxey Blanc may have just a touch more refinement than this lovely bottle, but it is still early days for these wines. 2012-2030. 89+ Points
2010 Meursault Normal Price $87.95 Pre Arrival Price $74.95 John Gilman: The Meursault villages from Pierre Bourée has been consistently excellent since the house first started producing white wines a handful of years ago and the 2010 is another rock solid success. The very fine nose offers up a classic mélange of apple, pear, almonds, chalky minerality and a topnote of orange blossoms. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with a fine core of fruit, crisp acids and a very long, wide open and generous finish. Archetypical Meursault. 2014-2030+. 90+ Points
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet Normal Price $115.00 Pre Arrival Price $97.95 Sorry, no tasting note
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeots Normal Price $135.95 Pre Arrival Price $115.95 Morgeots is a very large Premier Cru of over 58 ha. The wines have weight, power and profundity and have the ability to age well. Sorry, no tasting note.
2010 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru Normal Price $217.95 Pre Arrival Price $184.95 With just a single barrel of this outstanding wine produced you will need to act quickly! John Gilman: There is only a single barrel of Corton-Charlemagne in the Pierre Bourée cellars this year, which Monsieur Vallet opined “was significantly better than no barrels.” This is a dynamite example in the making and has to be one of the great sleepers of the vintage, as it soars from the glass in a closed, but compelling mélange of pink grapefruit, apple, lemon, stony minerality and a deft framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with a powerful personality, superb cut and grip and outstanding length on the young and soil-driven finish. This is an absolutely classic bottle of young Corton-Charlemagne. 2017-2040. 94+ Points
RED WINES An interesting selection including some top vineyards and high scores.
2010 Auxey-Duresses Rouge Normal Price $45.00 Pre Arrival Price $38.50 Traditionally better known for its white wines Auxey-Duresses, with the change in climate, is producing better and better reds. In great years like 2010 the wines, which are priced only just above Bourgogne, are serious bargains.
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge Normal Price $56.95 Pre Arrival Price $48.50 Historically the vineyards of Chassagne-Montrachet were planted with Pinot Noir. Long ago the reds were considered the equal of such wines as Clos-deTart, Clos de la Roche, Musigny and Les Amoureuses! How things change! Today, the opposite is true with the more valuable Chardonnay to the fore.
That said the soil has changed little over the centuries and much of it is still best-suited to red grapes. We don’t see a lot of Chassagne Rouge in Australia but it can be very good indeed. For me it combines a little of the Cote de Nuits with the Cote de Beaune. The wines are dark and quite structured. They are certainly popular in France. This wine is not expensive and is certainly worth atry if you have never tasted Chassagne Rouge. Sorry, no tasting note.
2010 Beaune 1er Cru Les Epenottes Normal Price $71.50 Pre Arrival Price $60.50 John Gilman: The 2010 Beaune “Epenottes” (from the domaine’s own vineyard holdings) will be really outstanding this year. The wine offers up a deep and vibrant nose of red and black cherries, a nice bit of meatiness, beautifully complex soil tones, smoke, dark chocolate and a touch of fresh herbs in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite suave on the attack, with excellent focus and structure, ripe tannins and superb length and grip on the youthful and classy finish. A very high class bottle of Beaune in the making. 2017-2040. 90-91+ Points
2010 Volnay 1er Cru Normal Price $85.00 Pre Arrival Price $72.00 A assemblage from a several Premier Crus in Volnay. With the small yields in 2010 this was not unusual for many makers. Sorry, no tasting note.
2010 Pommard Normal Price $89.00 Pre Arrival Price $75.95 John Gilman: Pommard is not a customary cuvée in the Bourée cellars, but if the 2010 is indicative of what this wine can be from the source the Vallets are now using for these grapes, then this is a wine that they should offer every year! The excellent bouquet jumps from the glass in a very pure mélange of red and black cherries, cocoa, gamebirds and a classy base of soil. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very refined on the attack, with a rock solid core of fruit, bright acids, well-integrated tannins and a very long, superbly structured finish. Very elegant and serious Pommard. 2018-2045. 90-91 Points
2010 Corton Grand Cru Normal Price $137.95 Pre Arrival Price $117.00 John Gilman: The 2010 Bourée Corton will be an absolutely stunning bottle of wine. The nose is very deep and brilliantly transparent, as it offers up a complex mélange of cherries, pomegranate, a touch of violet, incipient notes of gamebird and a complex base of stony minerality. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, very pure and really long on the backend, with a fine core of
fruit, ripe, substantial tannins and great length and grip on the perfectly balanced and quite structured finish. Old school and very serious Corton. 2020-2060. 92-94 Points
2010 Cote de Nuits Villages Normal Price $47.95 Pre Arrival Price $40.50 This is obviously a very smart wine and not expensive! John Gilman: The Côte de Nuits Villages from Maison Pierre Bourée all hails from vines planted in the village of Brochon, making it fairly similar in profile to the superb version from Denis Bachelet. The nose on the 2010 was showing really lovely potential, as it offers up scents of cassis, blackcherries, raw cocoa, smoke and a fine base of dark soil tones. On the palate the wine is deep, medium-full and intensely flavored, with lovely purity on the attack, fine mid-palate depth, ripe tannins and excellent length and grip on the long and black fruity finish. Lovely juice. 2015-2030+. 88-90 Points
2010 Fixin Normal Price $53.95 Pre Arrival Price $45.50 Fixin shares similar geology with Gevrey-Chambertin. It is seldom seen in Australia partly because it is popular in France. The wines are in the mold of Gevrey but are a little more rustic. Sorry, no tasting note.
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Normal Price $67.50 Pre Arrival Price $57.50 There are excellent wines from Gevrey-Chambertin in 2010. The wines have more finesse than usual whilst still retaining the earth, aromas and structure of the commune. Sorry, no tasting note.
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos de la Justice MONOPOLE Normal Price $91.95 Pre Arrival Price $77.95 Clos de la Justice was purchased by Bouree in 1903. This monopole is unusual as it sits “on the wrong side of the road”. But the soil is high in limestone with topped with sand providing excellent drainage The wine is often lithe and silky but always with an intense red confiture and floral aroma to match - lovely. Bill Nanson Sorry, no tasting note
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champeaux Normal Price $103.95 Pre Arrival Price $87.95 Les Champeaux is located slightly north of Clos-St-Jacques. The wines are quite fruity with red cherry flavours. It is a nice source for more supple and perfumed Gevrey reds. Sorry, no tasting note
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers Normal Price $115.00 Pre Arrival Price $97.95 Cazetiers is well sited on a steep slope high on the hill. After Clos-St-Jacques it is considered the most interesting Premier Cru of Gevrey with precision and minerality. It is not a big heavy wine but one of finesse and vibrancy. Sorry, no tasting note
2010 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Normal Price $189.00 Pre Arrival Price $160.00 Purchased by Bouree in 1922. The (Bouree) Charmes-Chambertin becomes rather tasty after five or six (years). Those typical stemmy aromas soon turn more floral, usually offering the aroma or rose petals. (Classic traditional Burgundy). Bill Nanson
2010 Chambertin Grand Cru Normal Price $298.00 Pre Arrival Price $253.00 A legend in the making! John Gilman: The 2010 Chambertin from Pierre BourĂŠe is going to be a brilliant and utterly classic example of the vintage. The superb bouquet soars from the glass in a blaze of black cherries, plums, grilled meat, coffee bean, woodsmoke, a profoundly complex base of soil and a touch of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the sappy core, with great soil signature, ripe, seamlessly woven tannins, tangy acids and stunning length and grip on the young and aristocratic finish. A great Chambertin in the making, 2022-2075. 95-96 Points
Domaine Felettig 2010 Burgundy Pre Arrival Offer "Fine, structured Chambolle from the glorious 2010 vintage. A tremendous range from some very small holdings” Domaine Felettig began in 1965 when Henri Felettig’s parents gave him 2 hectares of vines and 1 hectare of cassis (currants). In 1992 Henri and his wife Reine purchased additional vineyards bringing the total of their land to 9.72 hectares. More vineyards were purchased in 1995 including Vosne-Romanée Village, a Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru, and a Gevrey-Chambertin “La Justice”. The year 2001 saw the addition of a vineyard in Nuits St. Georges which meant their vineyards now spread from GevreyChambertin to Vosne-Romanée, plus Hautes Côtes des Nuits and Beaune; a total of 10 hectares in the most prestigious appellations. The latest acquisition is the Grand Cru Echezeaux. This is certainly a domaine on the rise! Today the domaine is run by Henri’s son and daughter, Gilbert and Christine. They use various methods to ensure the quality of their wines; severe pruning, leaving only 7-8 branches per vine; green harvesting, cutting the green grapes from the vines to bring fewer clusters in order to have a greater concentration of quality juice in the remaining grapes; selective hand-harvesting, followed by traditional vinification, and ageing on the lees in oak barrels for a period of 12-18 months. They use 40% new oak barrels for the 1er Cru and 20-30% new oak for the appellation Villages. Since 1999 they have used no filtration at all on the Premier Crus in order to preserve the authenticity of their product. Domaine Felettig is the second Chambolle-Musigny domaine we have added to our portfolio in the last month (the other being Domaine Anne and Herve Sigaut). I like the perfumed, seductive fruit of Chambolle very much. At the Grand Jours de Bourgogne earlier this year I tasted the wines of around 25 different domaines. They were all 2010’s so I had the advantage of comparing apples with apples, and from a superb year. There were three domaines that impressed me greatly. One proved too difficult and I crossed them off my list. The other two were Domaine Sigaut and Domaine Felettig, both of whom I visited, tasted and have decided to import. The reason for two Chambolle domains is simple. The style of each Domaine is quite different. Sigaut make perfumed, supple wines, delightful to drink and not too structured. The wines of Felettig are darker and more structured. With a little less aromatics but more spice. Still very Chambolle, they call for more time in the cellar to reveal their charm. I like them both very much. With the exception of Chambolle-Musigny Villages and Bourgogne, none of Felettig’s holdings are larger than 0.5 ha. Needless to say, in a vintage like 2010 quantities available are very small.
We are very pleased to add this fine domaine to our portfolio. They have a range of fine vineyards producing wines that are perfumed and structured. Perfect expressions of the mineral and complex 2010 vintage. On top of that prices are also very reasonable - Premier Cru Chambolles start at just $79.00 Pre Arrival.
2010 Bourgogne Rouge Normal Price $27.50 Pre Arrival Price $23.50 I look at the price of this wine and wonder why you would consider many new world Pinot Noirs that cost several times as much. This wine is full of the fruit character one would expect from vineyards around Chambolle. Fresh and invigorating.
2010 Hautes Cotes de Nuits Normal Price $29.50 Pre Arrival Price $25.00 This area is on the rise. New techniques and the introduction of Appellation Controlee has seen the quantity of vines planted rise and the quality accelerate upwards. More serious than the Bourgogne Pinot Noir with red-black fruit and some structure on the finish. It too is great value.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny Normal Price $62.00 Pre Arrival Price $52.50 A lovely expression of Chambolle. A little darker and firmer than the Sigaut version. Still perfumed and sweet with great minerality.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny Clos le Village Normal Price $67.00 Pre Arrival Price $57.00 This little half hectare plot is located next to the church, exposed to the east. It adjoins the Premier Cru Les Feusselottes. Vine age is 35 years. Jasper Morris says “It typically makes a particularly fine, elegant, classic Chambolle.”
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Combottes Normal Price $92.95 Pre Arrival Price $79.00 From a 0.34 ha holding. To the south is 1er Cru Charmes. Domaine George Roumier also makes this wine. Red-blue fruits, minerals. This is a finer style of Chambolle with texture and a mineral finish. Quite pretty and very Chambolle.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Carrieres Normal Price $92.95 Pre Arrival Price $79.00 A tiny Premier Cru of just 0.53 hectares in total located just above Les Chatelots. Felettig have the majority holding of 0.40 ha. The soil is stoney in parts and clayey in others. There are only two owners and Felettig are the only domaine to bottle the wine separately. So if you would like to try Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Carrieres this is your chance! Good deep colour. Deep, black cherry and black berry, beautifully sweet fruit cover a structured body. Some spice and stoney minerals. This is a serious and interesting Chambolle.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Feusselottes Normal Price $92.95 Pre Arrival Price $79.00 Felettig have a miniscule holding of just 0.17 ha. Adjoining 1er Cru Les Charmes, here the soil is the deepest and richest in Chambolle. Dark, cool and structured. Not highly perfumed but complex, dark and brooding. Clearly Chambolle but a different expression to many wines of the commune. This wine has real spine and will delight with a little cellaring.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes Normal Price $105.00 Pre Arrival Price $90.00 One of the finest Premier Crus in Chambolle. Felettig have 0.25 ha. Red-black, with more spice and lift than the previous wines. This also has structure but with more fleshy, richer fruit on its bones. The spice character is very attractive. Rich and powerful with a terrific finish that includes the 2010 mineral line.
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin La Justice Normal Price $67.00 Pre Arrival Price $57.00 La Justice is interesting as it lies “on the wrong side of the road”. But the soil is high in limestone with topped with sand providing excellent drainage. Felettig’s holding is 0.39ha. Red, red-black fruits. Not a huge tannic Gevrey, La Justice is more supple and elegant. Medium body with nice depth. Great value for a Gevrey lieu-dit.
2010 Vosne-Romanee Normal Price $70.00 Pre Arrival Price $59.50 Felettig’s 0.25 ha don’t make for a large production. Classic Vosne on the nose. Spicy and dark. Nice drive through the mid palate. Mineral, fine and just what you expect. A fantastic price for Vosne-Romanee.
2010 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Normal Price $105.00 Pre Arrival Price $90.00 Felettig owns vines in the Premier Crus Aux Reignots (0.10 ha), Les Petits Monts (0.09 ha) and Les Chaumes (0.04 ha). The sum total is just under 0.25 ha so they are forced to blend the three vineyards and produce this 1er Cru cuvee. Deep fruit. Lots of spice over dark black fruits - cherries, plums. Some violets and heady Asian spice. Concentrated. Fine and firm tannins of serious length. This is great Vosne made to cellar.
2010 Echezeaux Grand Cru Normal Price $189.00 Pre Arrival Price $160.00 A tiny holding of 0.12 ha in the climat of Aux Treux. Black fruits with spice and earth notes. This wine has serious structure with a layer of superb sweet fruit on top. A little exotic spice adds to the complexity. Powerful and complex and very stylish. But you will need to be patient.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine Sigaut 2010 Burgundy Pre Arrival Offer "Anne and Hervé Sigaut really stepped up to the plate in 2010, producing a string of very fine, sweetly textured reds.” Tim Atkin MW The Sigauts have been passionately but quietly making gorgeous wines in the tiny village of Chambolle-Musigny for generations. Now, the secret is out! Herve Sigaut and his wife took from the octogenarian Maurice Sigaut in 1990. Over the past decade the domaine has undergone a transformation with Anne and Hervé upgrading every aspect of operations with electrifying success. The domaine is only 9.3 ha but it includes spectacular old vines parcels in Chambolle-Musigny 1er Crus Les Fuees, Les Sentiers and Noirots, most of which are ploughed by horse. In 2010 the grapes were picked slightly later than usual, at optimal levels of ripeness. Yield was low at just 30-35 hl/ha. The bunches were 100% destemmed. The result is wines with great freshness, purity and definition that speak of their terroir. They are silky and fragrant, as you would expect in Chambolle and are sure to please afficionados of the commune. Tim Atkin MW rates Domaine Anne et Herve Sigaut very highly. He awards them 4 Stars which places them above such famous names as Bruno Clair, Perrot-Minot, Hudelot-Noellat, J-F Mugnier, Mongeard-Mugneret, Thibault Liger-Belair, Cecile Tremblay, Pousse d’Or, Trapet, Chateau de la Tour and many more. It is quite an achievement for this little domaine in Chambolle-Musigny! Burghound makes this comment in his introduction to the 2006 wines “I had heard through the grape vine (excuse the pun) that there had been a renaissance of sorts at this domaine and thus I decided to visit for the first time in several years. What I found confirmed the rumors that several local winemakers had repeated to me that the vineyard work here was, for the first time, really serious.” Unfortunately, to date there are no Burghound notes for 2010. Sigaut’s wines were regularly recommended to me by an acquaintance in a Burgundian restaurant I favour. Each time I stopped in for lunch he asked what I would like and would make a suggestion or two. He always asked if I had tried Domaine Sigaut as they are producing exceptional wines. This trip I tasted the several of the domaine’s wines at the Grands Jours de Bourgogne and promptly arranged a visit for a thorough evaluation of the wines. As they say, the rest is history.
We are very pleased to add this fine domaine to our portfolio. The wines are classic examples from the most feminine and fragrant commune in the Cote de Nuits. I do urge you to try them before we sell out.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny Normal Price $64.00 Pre Arrival Price $54.50 Essence of Chambolle! Very pretty and nose of fresh red berries. Lively palate with a nice sense of minerality. Text book village Chambolle: delicious and enjoyable.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Noirots Normal Price $105.00 Pre Arrival Price $89.00 Les Noirots is located between Les Guenchers and Les Baudes close to Bonnes Mares. More structure here. Red and black fruit but with a real element of spice. The palate is vibrant with a real freshness of fruit and an underlying spine of acidity. Perfumed and light on its feet. This is stylish and complex and very smart.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers Vieilles Vignes Normal Price $105.00 Pre Arrival Price $89.00 Sentiers is immediately below Bonnes Mares and right on the Morey-St-Denis border. The vines here were planted in 1947. More full and powerful than the Noirots. Darker fruit and more flesh and texture in the mouth, probably from the very old vines. Tremendous minerality and zippy acidity add excellent length. There is a little bit of Morey funk and darkness in the wine adding to its interest as well as more than a snippet of Bonnes Mares style.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees Normal Price $105.00 Pre Arrival Price $89.00 Fuees adjoins Bonnes Mares and displays a lot of similar features to the Grand Cru. This is one of my favourite Chambolle Premier Crus as it always has something a little special to offer. Darker fruit with lovely concentration that culminates with a long, mineral finish. Stylish and just what I expect from a top Chambolle. Tim Atkin MW: Anne and HervĂŠ Sigaut really stepped up to the plate in 2010, producing a string of very fine, sweetly textured reds. This is a lovely Chambolle: gentle and fragrant with sweet berry fruit and crunchy persistence. 94 Points
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Chatelots Normal Price $105.00 Pre Arrival Price $89.00 Chatelots is a little south of Noirots and adjoins Les Charmes. Here the soil has more stones and some say the wines has flavours of cherries from the trees which flank the vineyard. Tim Atkin MW: Another textbook Chambolle from the Sigauts, with richer, darker fruit flavours and more concentration than Les Fuées. That same sweetness and polish is present in the wine: supple, velvety and finely poised. 94 Points
2010 Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru Les Charrieres Normal Price $80.00 Pre Arrival Price $68.00 A well sited vineyard just below Clos de la Roche and alongside Clos de Ormes. Not often seen. Black-red fruit. There is a depth to the wine which is typical of its lofty neighbours. And like all the 2010’s from Sigaut a streak of minerality. Quite elegant for Morey. Very reasonably priced for a Premier Cru.
2010 Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes Normal Price $96.50 Pre Arrival Price $82.00 One of the finest Premier Crus in Morey. Millandes is located directly below Clos de la Roche. Aromatically very different to the Chambolles. More black, less red fruit character. Deeper and rounder, less crisp. Richer; earthy, funky and sauvage. Concentrated and once again mineral. It is great to see the terroir show so clearly.
Treat yourself to the delightful wines. The domaine’s 2010 are exceptional and the improvement Burghound discussed several years ago continues to this day. On top of that the prices are very reasonable. Chambolle-Musigny Premier Crus from a great year at under $90.00 a bottle is not to be missed! Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Lucien Le Moine A Stunning Range from the Classic 2010 Vintage “An extraordinary micro negociant in Beaune. Very serious quality” Jancis Robinson “The Lucien Le Moine wines have limited availability but are worth a special search of the marketplace” Stephen Tanzer” Praise for the wines of Lucien Le Moine is both frequent and consistant. This is one name serious Burgundy drinkers should have on their shopping list! Established in 1999 by Mounir and Rotem Saouma, Lucien Le Moine have a unyielding maxim. Each year they aim to produce a maximum of 100 barrels of Burgundy from the very best vineyards of the Cote d’Or. A maximum of 3 barrels of each wine is produced but with up to 60 different cuvees a single barrel is all that is produced for most wines. The list of appellations reds like a who’s who of great Burgundy. From the very start the wines attained incredible reviews and the quality has only improved with time.
The Burghound notes for 2010 Lucien Le Moine Reds have just been published. Burghound has reviewed 33 wines. Of these an unprecedented 12 have received “DON’T MISS” awards and 18 “SWEET SPOT” Awards. I can’t imagine there would be anyone else in Burgundy who has achieved such a remarkable result. Delivery: the wines will be ready for shipping in November 2012. Payment with order please. Buyers of the 2010 wines will have first opportunity to buy the 2011 vintage when available.
WHITE WINES Burghound reviews for 2010 whites will be published mid-year. The whites are every bit as impressive as the reds. Our allocations are as small as 6 bottles for the great Grand Crus!
2010 Bourgogne Blanc Usual Price $49.99 Pre-Arrival Price $42.50 43 bottles remaining Always a wine with great body and power and far more substance than most Bourgogne Blancs. The 2009 looked very much like a villages Meursault!
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain Usual Price $160.00 Pre-Arrival Price $136.00 23 bottles reamaining Located high on the slope. A wine of intensity.
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Embrazees Usual Price $165.00 Pre-Arrival Price $139.95 24 bottles remaining The poor soil of this vineyard makes for a wine of richness. Quite a scarce appellation.
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Porusot Usual Price $172.50 Pre-Arrival Price $146.50 24 bottles remaining Located north of Genevrieres. Porusot always has density and concentration.
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Folatieres Usual Price $175.00 Pre-Arrival Price $149.00 22 bottles remaining A high scorer in 2009 and the 2010 is even better.
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru La Romanee Usual Price $192.50 Pre-Arrival Price $163.50 17 bottles remaining One of the greatest Premier Crus of Chassagne.
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Perrieres Usual Price $190.00 Pre-Arrival Price $165.00 11 bottles remaining Meursault’s finest vineyard and a serious contender for elevation to Grand Cru status.
2010 Corton Blanc Grand Cru Usual Price $209.00 Pre-Arrival Price $177.00 17 bottles remaining I recall vividly tasting this in the cellar last year. It was quite stunning (as is the 2009). Rich and powerful with loads of mineral and terroir. Less fashionable than the Corton-Charlemagne but every bit as good (if not better).
2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Usual Price $265.00 Pre-Arrival Price $225.00 12 bottles remaining Always a stunner.
2010 Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $465.00 Pre-Arrival Price $395.00 10 bottles remaining Mineral and seductive. A tremendous Bienvenues.
2010 Criots-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $495.00 Pre-Arrival Price $420.00 4 bottles remaining My allocation is 6 bottles. You’ll need to buy across the range to get some of this.
2010 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $580.00 Pre-Arrival Price $495.00 15 bottles remaining Batard from an outstanding parcel! Power, tension - superb!
2010 Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $650.00 Pre-Arrival Price $552.50 2 bottles remaining Brilliant! My allocation is 6 bottles. You’ll need to buy widely across the range to get some of this!
2010 Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $895.00 Pre-Arrival Price $760.00 3 bottles remaining Monumental. My allocation is 6 bottles. You’ll need to buy widely across the range to get some of this!
RED WINES There are some remarkable scores for the Premier Crus as well as the Grand Crus. Don’t forget Le Moine has 12 Burghound “DON’T MISS” and 18 “SWEET SPOT” Wines amongst his 2010 Reds!
2010 Bourgogne Rouge Usual Price $49.99 Pre-Arrival Price $42.50 41 bottles remaining Much more body and complexity than anyone else’s Bourgogne rouge.
2010 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes Usual Price $130.00 Pre-Arrival Price $111.00 17 bottles remaining Tanzer: Good bright red. Pure aromas of fresh red fruits and smoky minerality, with a whiff of cherry liqueur emerging with aeration. Supple in texture but youthfully closed and not yet filled in. Finishes long and serious, with saline soil tones and substantial dusty tannins. 90-93 Points Burghound: Reduction. There is superb detail to the intense mineral-driven flavors that possess an ultra-sophisticated mouth feel even with the presence of a sleek muscularity on the explosive finish. This brims with dry extract that pushes the firm tannic spine to the background for the present, though I doubt that it will stay there for long as this will need plenty of time to arrive at its peak. 91-93 Point. A Sweet Spot Wine. Drink 2022+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Volnay Clos des Chenes bursts onto the palate with heady concoction of mineral-infused red fruit, crushed rocks, white flowers and white pear. The 2010 is nervous and taut from start to finish. The wine's energy should allow it to age nicely for years. Chalky notes support the articulate, focused finish. This is a striking wine. 92-94 Points. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030.
2010 Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets Usual Price $154.00 Pre-Arrival Price $131.50 18 bottles remaining Burghound: Reduction dominates the nose. By contrast there is superb energy and tension running the length of the palate impression with the intensely mineral-driven and beautifully well-delineated flavors culminating in an explosive yet Zen-like finish of impeccable balance and stunning length. This is one stylish and very classy effort. A Sweet Spot Wine. 91-94 Points Drink 2025+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Volnay Les Caillerets is utterly impeccable. Red fruit, crushed rocks and flowers are woven together beautifully in an elegant, refined fabric of notable pedigree and class. The aromas and flavors build effortlessly to the huge, intense finish. This is all finesse. I loved it. 92-94 Points. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027.
2010 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens Usual Price $144.00 Pre-Arrival Price $123.00 20 bottles remaining Tanzer: (from Rugiens du Haut): Moderately saturated medium red. Reticent nose hints at smoke, tobacco and dried flowers. Suave red fruit flavors are complicated by a meaty nuance. Best today on the long, subtle aftertaste, which features ripe, smooth tannins and a lovely restrained sweetness. 91-94 Points Burghound: Discreet wood doesn't detract from the purity of the ripe red pinot fruit and wet stone suffused nose that
introduces fresh, cool and detailed middle weight flavors that enjoy excellent precision and solid phenolic maturity of the supporting tannins. There is good if not truly special depth and the wood resurfaces on the finish. Drink 2018+ 8991 Points. Drink: 2019+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Pommard Les Rugiens is the most focused of these three Pommards. It shows terrific energy in its mineral-laced red fruit. Floral notes appear on the finish, adding lift and freshness, while underlying veins of minerality give vibrancy and focus. 91-93 Points. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030.
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles St Jacques Usual Price $144.00 Pre-Arrival Price $123.00 20 bottles remaining Tanzer: Medium red. Musky, complex aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry, olive, cardamom and warm stones. Silky and gentle in the mouth, with smoky earth tones dominating. Finishes with harmonious ripe tannins and excellent subtle length. 90-93 Points Burghound: Reduction. This is quite cool and very restrained though not mute as the pure aromas of kirsch, black cherry and pungent wet stone scents elegantly attest. The detailed, intense and racy mineral-inflected flavors express an equivalent sense of refinement and restraint before terminating in a markedly well-delineated finish of Zen-like harmony. This is most assuredly not the best wine in the range but it's rendered in a style that I adore. 91-93 Points. A Sweet Spot Wine. Drink 2018+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Estournelles St. Jacques is wonderfully perfumed, silky and impeccable. The wine's gracious, feminine personality suggests it will drink well fairly early. This is a relatively open 2010, but that doesn-t detract from its gorgeous balance. 91-93 Points. Anticipated maturity: 20152025.
2010 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Les Cailles Usual Price $159.00 Pre-Arrival Price $135.00 5 bottles remaining Another serious Nuits vineyard. Named after the stoniness of the site rather than those delicious little birds! Tanzer: Good deep red. Expressive nose offers red cherry, minerals, crushed stone and high-pitched spices. Broad, sweet and fine-grained; really spreads out to saturate the mouth, but with terrific acid/tannin support keeping the wine fresh and alive. Very long on the aftertaste, with the red cherry character following through. 92-94 Points Burghound: A superbly complex nose that is one of the broadest in the entire range implicates a panoply of elements that range from spice to a mix of dark berries to earth to the sauvage and more. The seductively textured, refined and wonderfully rich middle weight flavors possess stunning length. This gorgeous combination of power and finesse display that highly attractive sense of underlying tension that imparts real vitality to the finish. 92-94 Points. A Sweet Spot Wine. Drink 2025+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Nuits St. Georges Les Cailles comes across as cool, introspective and intensely mineral. Finely cut and chiseled, the Cailles impresses for its precision and focus. Layers of dark red fruit crescendo on the intense, saline finish. 92-94 Points. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Hauts Doix Usual Price $175.00 Pre-Arrival Price $149.00 3 bottles remaining Les Hauts Doix adjoins Les Amoureuses. Tanzer: Good bright red. Medicinal raspberry and cherry aromas lifted by spices and blood orange. Juicy, tight and extremely primary, with a crunchy texture to the flavors of creme de cassis and spices. Finishes tannic and very long.
In a distinctly cooler style: this will merit a score at the high end of my range if it gains in flesh and pliancy during the last months of its elevage. 91-94 Points Burghound: This is also agreeably pure and elegant with a spicy and mineral-inflected nose of kirsch and plum. The seductively textured and refined middle weight flavors exhibit a wonderful sense of vibrancy on the dusty, sappy and mouth coating finish. A text book Chambolle. 91-93 Points. A Sweet Spot Wine. Drink 2020+
2010 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Petit Monts Usual Price $185.00 Pre-Arrival Price $165.50 2 bottles remaining Located just above Richebourg and considered a mini-version of the Grand Cru. Tanzer: Good medium red. Sexy nose combines black fruits, truffle and vanillin oak. Sweet and silky on the palate, with mellow flavors of dark berries, chocolate, cappuccino and vanilla. Very rich wine, but today the strong vanillin quality mutes the fruit. Mounir Saouma has this wine in one new and one once-used barrel, in order to temper the "caramel vanilla flavor" he found in the grapes. 90-92 Points Burghound: Extract of plum, stone and a wonderfully broad array of spice elements precedes the rich yet beautifully precise and mineral-inflected flavors that offer magnificent focus and persistence. This is a classic Petits Monts as the mouth feel is restrained, indeed almost linear, and the finish is austere and minimalist. To be sure, this is packed with potential but it's clearly going to require some 12 to 15 years of bottle age before the natural opulence of Vosne is visible. 91-94 Points. A Sweet Spot Wine. Drink 2022+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Vosne-Romanee Les Petits Monts comes across as soft, round and accessible. It doesn-t have the vibrancy or personality of the Suchots, which is surprising. I will be curious to see if the wine is more revealing in the future. There is plenty of time, as these 2010s won-t be bottled until after the summer. 91-93 Points. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. showing. 93-95 Points. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2030.
2010 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Usual Price $285.00 Pre-Arrival Price $242.00 12 bottles remaining Tanzer: (half from Mazoyeres): Good medium bright red. Wild raspberry and a whiff of truffle on the slightly reduced nose. Fat, dense and dry; less expressive today than the Cazetiers but with a fine-grained texture to the flavors of bitter cherry, dried flowers and menthol. A solid limestone underpinning should enable this wine to evolve slowly. 90-93 Points Burghound: There is a floral nose to the red berry and cassis suffused nose that also evidences hints of earth, humus and forest floor. There is an unusual degree of refinement to the round yet precise middle weight flavors that possess a wonderfully complex, balanced and focused backend. This is really quite pretty but unlike many wines that are pretty but have limited depth, this is by contrast quite deep. 92-94 Points. Drink: 2025+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Charmes-Chambertin is sublime. It reveals lovely fleshiness and depth. Sweet red berries, flowers and spices flesh out in the glass. The Charmes impresses for its impeccable textural finesse, fabulous balance and overall sense of harmony. The Le Moine Charmes is equal parts true Charmes and Mayozeres. 94-96 Points. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2034
2010 Echezeaux Grand Cru Usual Price $299.00 Pre-Arrival Price $255.00 21 bottles remaining Tanzer: Good medium red. Red fruits and a note of blood orange on the nose. Lovely lift and a touch of sweetness on the palate, showing beautiful balance already. Red berries are complemented by smoke and complex soil tones while retaining a juicy character. Builds slowly and steadily on the back end. Plenty of chewiness and structure here but this is almost surprisingly easy to taste today. 93-95 Points Burghound: A restrained, cool and attractively if subtly spiced nose of primarily black pinot fruit and plum aromas is followed by rich, refined and intensely mineral-inflected medium weight flavors that possess a plenitude of dry extract that imparts a sappy and seductive texture to the mouth feel. There is an admirable level of concentration and I like the lovely balance. This isn't quite as complex as the best here but this is indisputably of grand cru quality. 92-94 Points. Drink 2022+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Echezeaux opens with a mysterious, seductive bouquet. The wine is much more focused and linear on the palate, where the early appeal of the aromatics gives way to an energetic expression of fruit. A mineral-drenched finish coats the palate with bright saline notes. Today the 2010 is very, very young and the slow pace of the malo seems to come through in the wine's raw power and brawn. This is an immensely promising wine, but it needs to move through its infancy first. 94-96 points. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030.
2010 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru Usual Price $285.00 Pre-Arrival Price $242.00 20 bottles remaining Tanzer: Medium red. Reticent aromas of redcurrant and pepper. Rich and chewy, but with a slightly rougher texture and more obvious tannins than the grand crus from Gevrey. Red fruit and saline soil tones take on a youthful medicinal toughness on the back end. 90-93 Points Burghound: Reduction dominates the nose but here it seems evident that the fruit beneath the funk is quite ripe. There is excellent volume and richness to the big-bodied flavors that enjoy supporting structural elements that are also phenolically mature before terminating in an austere, powerful and impressively long finish. This is admirably pure and really quite fine, at least within the context of a youthful Clos de Vougeot, an appellation not known for finesse. A DON'T MISS Wine. 93-95 Points. Drink: 2025+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Clos de Vougeot is a big wine bursting with animal-like raw power. Huge scents of dark fruit, leather, licorice and spices saturate the palate as this intense wine shows off its unique personality. There is no shortage of energy here. In fact, it will be interesting to see if the wine calms down over time, or if it will always remain a bit of a brute. Mounir Saouma has three barrels of Clos de Vougeot, each from a different parcel within the Clos. 92-94 Points. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030.
2010 Griottes-Chambertin Grand Cru Usual Price $375.00 Pre-Arrival Price $319.00 15 bottles remaining A very hard to find Grand Cru. Tanzer: Good medium red. Lovely floral perfume lifts the aromas of cherry, strawberry, smoke, spices and minerals. Then precise and energetic in the mouth but tightly coiled, with sappy raspberry and stone flavors. Finishes vibrant, explosive and very long, with subtle hints of leather and earth. This should be a beauty. 92-95 Points Burghound: An attractively and complex nose of red cherry, plum, earth and spice hints merges gracefully into rich, full and quite generous full-bodied flavors that ooze a fine minerality on the extract rich, balanced and notably firm finish that exhibits a mild austerity. 92-94 Points. Drink: 2022+
Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Griotte-Chambertin bursts onto the palate with - surprise - loads of Griotte cherries. Crushed flowers and spices develop in the glass, adding a measure of complexity. As good as this is, I don-t find the level of depth or complexity that is typical of the 2010 Grand Crus here. Today my impression is that this feminine, gracious Burgundy is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. 92-94 Points. Anticipated maturity: 20182028.
2010 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru Usual Price $419.00 Pre-Arrival Price $355.00 14 bottles remaining Tanzer: Good red-ruby color. Vibrant, perfumed aromas of black raspberry and smoked meat. Dense, highly concentrated and utterly seamless, with terrific inner-mouth energy giving the wine lift and extending its finish. This has the balance to provide early accessibility but the medicinal reserve and noble tannins to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle. Very classy, long Mazis. 93-96 Points Burghound: The fresh, pure and attractively broad nose of rose petal, humus and red currant also displays hints of the classic sauvage character that Mazis is justly well-known for. There is a distinct restraint to the cool, pure and welldelineated flavors that are a lovely combination of power and muscle with more refinement than one typically finds with this appellation. There is excellent balance and this should enjoy a very long maturity curve. A DON'T MISS Wine. 93-95 Points. Drink: 2025+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Mazis-Chambertin inhabits a whole other plane after the Griotte. It is an explosive, intense wine bursting at the seams with fruit. Black cherries, licorice, violets and spices wrap around the palate in this sensual, totally alluring wine. The Mazis is a showstopper. Wow! 95-97+ Points. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035.
2010 Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru Usual Price $495.00 Pre-Arrival Price $420.00 9 bottles remaining Tanzer: Good deep red. Raspberry, smoke, dried rose, roasted herbs and musky underbrush, lifted by a whiff of limestone. Fine-grained and sappy on the palate, combining outstanding density with great energy. The outstanding, slowly building finish stains the palate with minerality, with the tannins in perfect harmony with the wine's fruit and soil tones. A great wine in the making. 94-97 points Burghound: Reduction blocks an accurate assessment of the nose. There is superb vigor and thrust to the penetratingly mineral suffused large-scaled but elegant, pure and refined flavors that possess, along with the Gaudichots, the best overall depth of any wine in the range. There is perfect phenolic ripeness of the supporting structural elements and while the delectably precise finish is overtly austere at present, everything is in place to potentially have a Clos de Bèze of greatness though it is worth underscoring that plenty of time will be needed to witness the transformation. A DON'T MISS Wine. 94-96 Points. Drink: 2027+ Antonio Galloni, eRobertParker.com: The 2010 Chambertin-Clos de Beze is a huge, statuesque wine. This is pure Beze at its very finest. Black cherries, blackberries, cassis, violets and licorice stain the palate. Hints of menthol and white pepper develop later, adding lift and brightness. This marvelously complete wine is endowed with tremendous textural depth and richness. The tannins are substantial, but there is more than enough fruit to make them nearly imperceptible. The Beze is another wine with a virtually limitless future. 95-97 Points. Anticipated maturity: 20202030.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine Dubreuil‑ Fontaine Part 1. Grand Crus under $100! Brilliant Value! “One of the Great Domaines of Burgundy” Clive Coates. Founded in 1879 Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine is run by fifth generation winemaker Christine Dubreuil. The domaine owns 20 hectares of vines spread across some twenty appellations spread across the Cote de Beaune. The jewels in the crown are the impressive Corton Grand Cru holdings in both red and white vineyards. Vine age here is impressively old with most vines over 40 years. Picking is by hand and the grapes sorted on the table if required. The Pinot is completely destemmed then sees around five days of cold maceration before fermentation. New oak is used but is kept to about 35% for the Grand Crus. The whites are also traditionally produced with a mix of oak or stainless steel used, depending on the appellation. These are serious wines, make with the best of traditional and modern winemaking skills. The Grand Crus and majestic and the Premier Cru and Village wines are fresh and lovely to drink. But is was not just the quality of the wines that attracted this domaine to our portfolio. It was also the prices. We are able to offer brilliant Grand Cru Cortons for under $100.00 a bottle Pre Arrival! That is cheaper than many Premier Crus. I urge to take a good look at this exceptional offer. Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine may not be a name you know well but it is a domaine that produces terrific wines and is featured in the Great Domaines of Burgundy by Remington Norman and the newly published The Finest Wines of Burgundy by Bill Nanson. We will start our relationship with the glorious 2010 vintage and for this first offer we present the Grand Crus only. However, we have managed to secure a few 2009 Grand Crus at the same time. If you love Grand Crus this is a great place to shop. We have arranged to buy across the range but have no restriction on the Grand Crus (except for stock availability and 2010 is a small vintage). So for the moment you may “pick the eyes” from our Dubreuil-Fontaine and buy just the great value Grand Crus! As soon as Burghound notes are published we will present the entire range. The 2009 and 2010 wines will be ready to ship in the next few weeks so we urge you not to delay!
The 2009 Vintage 2009 Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru Usual Price $112.00 Pre-Arrival Price $95.00 From an 0.80 ha holding, first planted in 1929. Bressandes produces a wine of depth and complexity. It is a little redder in style than Clos du Roi and typically displays a feminine aspect that makes it particularly enjoyable. Burghound: This is both more elegant and slightly fresher still with a fantastically complex nose of red berry fruit, stone, earth and plum liqueur aromas serving as a striking introduction to the detailed, powerful, intense and mouth coating flavors that culminate in a balanced, focused and hugely long finish that delivers the same remarkable depth as the nose. As one would reasonably expect, this is not as big and robust as the Clos du Roi but it's finer and even as big as it is, this is essentially a wine of refinement. In a word, marvelous. 94 Points
2009 Corton-Perrieres Grand Cru Usual Price $112.00 Pre-Arrival Price $95.00 From an 0.60 ha holding, planted in 1954 and 1986. Perrieres, like the many other similarly-named vineyards across the cote, is named after the small stones that stud the soil. These stone have two major benefits. Firstly they encourage excellent drainage and they also add a mineral aspect to the wine. Darker colour than the Bressandes. Lovely ripeness of fruit followed by a long, mineral palate. Lovely balance and perhaps the finest of the Grand Cru Crus. A delight! No Burghound note.
2009 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru Usual Price $112.00 Pre-Arrival Price $95.00 A 1 hectare slice planted in 1957 and 2002. Clos du Roi is the most famoius of Corton’s Grand Cru reds. It is the most masculine with deep and sauvage characters that build as the wine ages. Burghound: A very ripe and moderately somber nose of plum, black raspberry and distinct sauvage notes that are also reflected by the broad-shouldered and very robust, concentrated and serious big-bodied flavors that are supported by buckets of dry extract and extremely firm yet not aggressive tannins, all wrapped in a palate staining and superbly long finish. This imposing effort is certainly built to age though a decade or so should see it at its best. 93 Points
These 2009’s are right at the end of availability. If you would like to secure some please act very quickly! At just $95.00 a bottle they are a steal!
The 2010 Vintage 2010 - here is where we really start! We are a little too early for Burghound notes but I have tasted through the range and feel the 2010’s are more classic and refined than the 2009’s. They will cellar brilliantly but their freshness and transparency make them quite charming in their youth. 2010, for all its class and style, is a very delicious vintage.
2010 Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru Usual Price $112.00 Pre-Arrival Price $95.00 From an 0.80 ha holding, first planted in 1929. Terrific style. The reddest fruit of the three Grand Cru reds. Bright cherry and plum with a little earth. Medium weight but with serious intensity finishing with very fine tannins. Delicate, stylish and delicious. Focused, pure and fresh. This is a lovely wine and classic Bressandes. Don’t miss!
2010 Corton-Perrieres Grand Cru Usual Price $112.00 Pre-Arrival Price $95.00 From an 0.60 ha holding, planted in 1954 and 1986. Darker fruit spectrum than the Bressandes. Mineral and medium bodied with a fine spine running through the wine. This too is a handsome style and in 2010 the freshness and vibrancy make this quite unique. The most pretty of the trio with delightful life on the palate. Don’t miss this wine - it is very special.
2010 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru Usual Price $112.00 Pre-Arrival Price $95.00 A 1 hectare slice planted in 1957 and 2002. Clos du Roi is the most famoius of Corton’s Grand Cru reds. It is the most masculine with deep and sauvage characters that build as the wine ages. The 2010 is no exception. The darkest of the trio with black fruits spicy earth. Much broader shouldered with serious power and concentration. More fruit with more tannins in support. crried by the great minerality of the vintage. This is a terrific wine.
2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Usual Price $150.00 Pre-Arrival Price $128.00 Two parcels in En Charlemagne totalling 0.50 ha. Planted in 1950 and 1975. Vinified in 30% new oak. A classic steely white. Great finesse and clarity on the nose. Very mineral with stones and smoke. Muscular but not brawny. Tightly wound but builds on the palate. This is C-C in the traditional style. Fine and crafted and built to age. Certainly not expensive.
Stay tuned for more 2010 Dubreil-Fontaine. The full range is featured on our website and tasting notes will be presented as soon as the next issue of Burghound is published.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
2010 Pre-Arrival Offer
Domaine A-F Gros Domaine A-F Gros is one of the first to provide us with pricing for the 2010 vintage. I tasted the wines in barrel in November 2011 and was delighted with the quality. The wines are fresh and balanced and will cellar very nicely. The domaine has been receiving great praise of late with Clive Coates scoring the 2008 Richebourg 20/20 (alongside La Romanee-Conti and above La Tache) and Burghound awarding the 2009 Richebourg 93-96 Points and 2009 Echezeaux 92-94 Points (both were included in his “42 Don’t Miss Wines” in issue 42). Production at the domaine in 2010 is down 30%-50%. Despite the reduced volumes I have a good quantity of wines to offer. However, to obtain the Grand Crus I must purchase the equivalent value in Premier Cru and Villages wines. So I must ask my clients to do the same. This is not so bad as the domaine produces a delightful range of terrific VosneRomanee lieu-dits as well as numerous interesting Villages wines. Our Pre-Arrival Prices represent a saving of around 15% on all wines. The wines will be bottled early spring (our time) and will be shipped as soon as possible after that. This is a new Domaine for us and we also have some 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 wines available at Pre-Arrival prices. These are listed at the end of this offer. They will be shipped in March 2012.
A Little Background Anne-Francoise is the daughter of Jean and Jeanine Gros (Domaine Jean Gros) and when the family domaine was split upon her father’s retirement in 1996, Anne-Francoise, along with her brothers Michel and Bernard, received some tremendous parcels of land. All three have their own domaines and run independently. Another Gros, Anne (in Vosne-Romanee), is a cousin. Anne-Francois married Francois Parent who had inherited vineyards in Pommard. Today, after the purchase of more vineyards, the husband and wife domaines work alongside each other and present a treasure of appellations from both the Cote du Nuits and Cote du Beaune.
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Richebourg Usual Price $595.00 Pre-Arrival Price $505.00 One of the top wines of the vintage in recent years. From two parcels totalling just 0.60 ha - 0.34 ha in Les Richebourgs and 0.26 ha in Les Veroilles. The 2010 screams Richebourg. The wine is red-black and very complex on the nose with berries, violets and spice. Tremendous length on the palate. It embodies the iron first in a velvet glove. It is all about power without weight. Jancis Robinson: This has the extra something you look for from grand crus – a matchless level of complexity in the flavour. Very drinkable now. Eloquent. Refreshing, perfumed, sophisticated. 19+ Points David Allen MW: Notes of leather and cocoa combine with intense, ripe red fruits on a wonderfully complex nose. The wine displays lovely freshness, fine tannins and extremely ripe red-fruit notes that are quite high toned. For all its richness the wine is the only one of the line-up to seem slightly closed at present. The alcohol is in balance with the fruit and the finish is long and harmonious, but this clearly has much more to offer as it matures. 94-96+ Points The 2009 scored 93-96 in Burghound and along with the Lucien Le Moine were the only two Richebourg featured in Burghound’s “Don’t Miss” List in issue 42. Destined to be a classic in 2010.
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Echezeaux Usual Price $265.00 Pre-Arrival Price $225.00 The domaine owns 0.26 ha in the climat of Champs-Traversins. Here the vines are planted counter to the slope on shallow topsoil over fractured bedrock. The wines are more elegant than most Echezeaux with finer tannins. This is quite an elegant Echezeaux with lovely feel and superb fine tannins. It is very limited and I suggest early consideration to secure some of this wine. The 2009 was one of Burghound’s top four from the appellation and sold out before we became agents for A-F Gros. Jancis Robinson: Great clarity of fruit here, complete and brilliant. Very little complexity to speak of now, but you can be sure it's coming. This has preening, self-assured potential. 17.5+ Points David Allen MW: The ripe fruit aromas have a lovely fresh leafy edge. The palate has a nice concentration of fine tannins that are initially supple, but give good grip at the finish tannins and ripe red fruit flavours. The palate has a mouth-watering freshness at first that then gives way to an attractive richness, ripeness and warmth on the long finish. 94-96 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Pommard 1er Cru Les Chanlins Usual Price $149.00 Pre-Arrival Price $126.00 Located on the border with Volnay, adjoining the Volnay vineyard with the same name. The slope here is steep and the soil includes more chalk than most of the clay-based sites in Pommard. The result is a finer wine
with more acidity. Blackcurrants, blackberry and musk over firm but fine tannins.
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Pommard 1er Cru Les Pezerolles Usual Price $149.00 Pre-Arrival Price $126.00 Pezerolles is just above Epenots. The slope includes white marl and produces a Pommard of more finesse than usual. Deep garnet. Firm but fine tannins. Mineral and persistant with delightful balance. Fine for Pommard without the meaty notes that dominate some of the vineyards where there is more clay in the soil. You can see the merits of 2010 here. Very stylish. Jancis Robinson: Some leatheriness on the nose, and a really mouthfilling fruit. Fine tannins, great structure and a long, forceful finish. 17.5 Points David Allen MW: Hints of smoky bacon enrich the delicate red fruits on the nose. The plate displays lovely sweet ripe, supple soft red fruit character that finishes with good grip from lovely fine tannins. There is a good weight of fruit on the persistent, fresh finish which persists well. 92-93 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Beaune 1er Cru Les Boucherottes Usual Price $105.00 Pre-Arrival Price $89.00 Boucherottes is located near the Pommard border but surprisingly produces a fruity style of wine without hard tannins. The earth here is supple, very fine and quite red in color. The yield from the old vines here is very small. The regularity of this cru is quite remarkable. Red-blue pinot fruit of serious style and body. A very smart wine from Beaune, a commune that is starting to produce some very exciting wines at reasonable prices. Like all good reds from Beaune this merits some time in the cellar. Jancis Robinson: Wonderful red fruit clarity with that Burgundy savouriness and the perfect dose of oak. Debonair, classy and poised. 17.5 Points David Allen MW: This is a slightly chunkier and more four-square wine than any of its predecessors. The nose adds cocoa and chocolate aromas to the vibrant aromas of soft red fruits typical of A-F Gros wines. The palate is silky smooth at first then gains bite at the finish. The fine yet firm tannins surround a core of deep rich red fruits. The alcohol is balanced to warm and the finish is very long. 93 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Beaune 1er Cru Les Montrevenots BLANC Usual Price $105.00 Pre-Arrival Price $89.00 Montrevenots is located high on the slope above the famous Beaune Clos des Mouches vineyard on the Pommard border. The soil is very stony and produces floral, elegant wines.
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Chambolle-Musigny Usual Price $105.00 Pre-Arrival Price $89.00 From vineyards totalling 39 ares, divided into several parcels with different localities: Frémières, Le Pas de Chat, Derrière le Four, Les Athets. The parcels are fermented together. Lovely depth of colour. An aromatic nose leads to a rich, softer, rounder palate typical of the appellation (when compared to Pommard or Beaune). Still retains the minerality that makes 2010 so special. A really lovely example of what Chambolle should produce. Jancis Robinson: Juicy red fruit, quite primary and juvenile. Enjoyable. 16.5+ Points David Allen MW: Lovely fresh red fruits aromas have a pleasant, lifted green note. The palate is delicious, a typical Chambolle Musigny with delicate red fruit flavours, superbly fine rounded tannins, lovely balance and good intensity and length. The finish has surprisingly good grip. 95-96 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Clos de la Fontaine Monopole Usual Price $109.00 Pre-Arrival Price $92.50 From a parcel of 35 ares. One of the strengths of the A-F Gros range are the three Vosne-Romanee Lieu-dits. Clos de la Fontaine is a beautifully balanced wine with all the spice you would expect from Vosne-Romanee. Not a big wine but one that expresses the style and class of Vosne-Romanee with its bright, mineral infused flavours of berry and earth. Jancis Robinson: Syrupy red cherry fruit, gentle tannins, bit of forest floor, supple and light with charming daintiness. 17 Points David Allen MW: This is a typical Vosne Romanée, combining richness with suppleness, power and elegance. Ripe, juicy red fruits on the palate and supple, fine tannins are given a bite by leafy notes on the finish. The wine has lovely poise, its acidity is fresh and the alcohol in balance with the mid weight fruit. The finish has good length and definition. 94-95 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Aux Reas Usual Price $109.00 Pre-Arrival Price $92.50 The extension of the Premier Cru Clos des Reas (a monopole of the brother Michel). It gives a wine of structure and powerful aromas. A charmer, round and velvety with lots of character. A little darker and deeper than the Clos de la Fontaine. On the plate this
is fuller and richer with lots of berries and some terrific spice notes. Mid weight palate with great finishing acidity. Will blossom with a little time in the cellar. Jancis Robinson: Toasty, almost charred nose and then a surprisingly vivacious fruitiness on the palate. Sour cherry, sap, perhaps a bit of stalkiness. Fine tannins. 17.5 Points David Allen MW: A restrained red fruit nose leads to a palate of divine, supple, silky-soft tannins, vibrant red fruit flavours and mouth-watering freshness that lingers superbly on a long finish. This wine has effortless poise. 95-96 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Aux Maizieres Usual Price $109.00 Pre-Arrival Price $92.50 This village appellation vineyard is located at the foot of the GrandsEchezeaux, close to Clos-Vougeot. A wine of velvety elegance and finesse that ages harmoniously. The most exotic of the three Vosnes. This wine always displays cassis, soy, plum, hoisin and red berry notes. Sound like some other Vosne-Romanee/Flagey-Echezeaux wines you know that sell for quite a deal more? Mineral and fine on the finish. Buy some, you will be happy! Jancis Robinson: Earthy nose with a ripe redcurrant fruit and quietly confident tannic line. Moderate concentration, fresh acid. Backward - definitely needs time. 17+ Points David Allen MW: Delicious and ethereal from the outset with fine aromas, fresh acidity, balanced alcohol, lovely depth and superb balance. 93-94 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Savigny-le-Beaune 1er Cru Les Clos des Guettes Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $80.50 Jasper Morris says A-F Gros is an excellent source for this wine on the upper slope facing south. Superb freshness on the nose and palate. I always find Savigny attractive as it displays great minerality and acidity. This is no exception. Lovely vibrant palate with fine tannins and excellent length. This appellation has received Burghound’s Sweet Spot award for the last five vintages. I am sure this will make it six in a row. Jancis Robinson: Minty, herbal notes and a really attractive grip on the finish. Nutmeg spice, redcurrant – all sorts going on in here. Ably shows Pinot's breadth. 17 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Usual Price $46.50 Pre-Arrival Price $39.50 From a parcel located on a very well exposed small hill with the forest behind, which protects it from strong winds. The vines are planted so they follow the slope and contours of the small hill. This layout permits vines to be planted on steep slopes without the risk of erosion of the soil. Generous and robust, full-bodied and round, it combines engaging berry aromas with real strength. This is a lovely wine and a good step up from most regular Bourgogne. Jancis Robinson: Meat juice, bit of blood, whip-smart acid. Great fruit, but not quite so complex as the basic Bourgogne rouge. 16 Points
2010 Domaine A-F Gros Bourgogne Pinot Noir Usual Price $43.50 Pre-Arrival Price $36.95 An attractive Bourgogne of finesse. Aromas of raspberries, strawberries and a little earth. Fine tannins. Chambolle in style. Jancis Robinson: Classy mineral and smoke nose, packs a good punch for a Bourgogne. Finely-ground tannins, light body, great complexity for drinking now – fine red fruit and lengthy smoke and vegetal aromas too. David Allen MW: The wine has a vibrant medium to pale ruby colour, with perfumed red soft fruits and slightly smoky aromas on the nose. The palate is ethereal – it has light to mid weight with sweet red fruit flavours and a lovely soft supple texture. The wine manages to be both mouth-wateringly fresh and possess surprising richness. There is a delightful balance between the wine’s alcohol, fruit and fresh acidity. There is a long clean finish. This wine sets the tone superbly for the whole A–F Gros range. 91-92+ Points
Other A-F Gros Vintages also Available: Includes the lovely 2009’s and an array of Richebourg! 2008 Domaine A-F Gros Richebourg. Burghound 91-94. Usual Price $499.00 Pre-Arrival Price $424.00 2007 Domaine A-F Gros Richebourg. Burghound no note. Usual Price $469.00 Pre-Arrival Price $399.00 2006 Domaine A-F Gros Richebourg. Burghound 91-93. Usual Price $469.00 Pre-Arrival Price $399.00 2008 Domaine A-F Gros Echezeaux. Burghound 91-93. Usual Price $225.00 Pre-Arrival Price $190.00 2007 Domaine A-F Gros Echezeaux. Burghound no note. Usual Price $225.00 Pre-Arrival Price $190.00 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Pommard 1er Cru Pezerolles. Burghound no note. Usual Price $149.00 PreArrival Price $126.00 2008 Domaine A-F Gros Pommard 1er Cru Pezerolles. Burghound no note. Usual Price $120.00 PreArrival Price $102.00 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Beaune 1er Cru Boucherottes. Burghound no note. Usual Price $105.00 PreArrival Price $89.00 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Chambolle-Musigny. Burghound 89-91. Usual Price $105.00 Pre-Arrival Price $89.00 2008 Domaine A-F Gros Beaune 1er Cru Boucherottes. Burghound no note. Usual Price $85.00 PreArrival Price $72.00 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Clos de la Fontaine Monopole. Burghound 87-89. Usual Price $109.00 Pre-Arrival Price $92.50 2008 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Clos de la Fontaine Monopole. Burghound 87-89. Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $80.50 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Aux Reas. Burghound 89-91 Sweet-Spot Wine. Usual Price $109.00 Pre-Arrival Price $92.50 2008 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Aux Reas. Burghound 87-89. Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $80.50 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Aux Maizieres. Burghound 88-91. Usual Price $109.00 PreArrival Price $92.50 2008 Domaine A-F Gros Vosne-Romanee Aux Maizieres. Burghound 86-89. Usual Price $95.00 PreArrival Price $80.50 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Clos des Guettes. Burghound 89-92 Sweet-Spot Wine. Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $80.50 2008 Domaine A-F Gros Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Clos des Guettes. Burghound 89-91 Sweet-Spot Wine. Usual Price $85.00 Pre-Arrival Price $72.00 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits. Burghound 86-88. Usual Price $46.50 PreArrival Price $39.50 2009 Domaine A-F Gros Bourgogne Pinot Noir. Burghound 86-88. Usual Price $43.50 Pre-Arrival Price $36.95
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
2010 Pre-Arrival Offer
Domaine Francois Parent Like virtually everyone in Burgundy Domaine Parent began by selling their wine to negociants. In the late 1950’s the somewhat radical decision to estate bottle was made. At first only a portion of the harvest was bottled by the family but soon the entire production was domaine bottled. Labels were designed by the family and marketing of the wines commenced well before many competitors had even considered it. Today, Domaine Parent is owned by Francois Parent who is the husband of Anne-Francois Gros. The domaine produces a range of wines from vineyards primarily in the Cote de Beaune.
2009 Morey-St-Denis Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $80.50 Burghound: A relatively reticent nose of red berry fruit, warm earth and ripe plum aromas leads to rich, fresh and attractively vibrant middle weight flavors that possess a textured and quite supple mouth feel. There is good balance and length to the finish that is shaped by ever-so-mildly rustic tannins. A fine villages. 88-91 points. Drink: 2016+
2009 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets Usual Price $125.00 Pre-Arrival Price $106.00 Located adjacent to Pommard Fremiers. Produces fine wines of style. Burghound: A deft touch of wood sets off red currant and pungent mineral notes that can also be found on the beautifully well-detailed middle weight flavors that possess fine precision and a lovely sense of underlying tension on the refined and focused finish. A classic Volnay of finesse and grace. A Sweet-Spot Wine. 90-92 Points. Drink: 2016+
2009 Pommard 1er Cru Les Arvelets Usual Price $145.00 Pre-Arrival Price $123.00 South facing and steep with red soil containing plenty of stones. Burghound: Reduction renders the nose difficult to read but there is ample vivacity to the bigger, richer and more overtly powerful flavors that possess plenty of dry extract that buffers the very firm tannins on the focused and mouth coating finish. This is a very serious effort that will benefit from up to a decade of cellar time. A Sweet-Spot Wine. 90-92 Points. Drink: 2017+
2009 Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots Usual Price $175.00 Pre-Arrival Price $148.00 Epenots occupies some of the best land in Pommard. The lope is gentle but the high proportion of pebbles in the soil ensures good drainage and contributes to the elegance of Les Epenots. Burghound: Reduction. It's clear that a deft touch was used in the vinification as this is quite fine in the context of the appellation as the middle weight plus flavors are refined and supple while evidencing a silky mouth feel though the cool and persistent finish is presently rather austere. This should age beautifully and reward 12 to 15 years of cellar time. A Sweet-Spot Wine. 91-93 Points. Drink: 2021+
2009 Corton Grand Cru Usual Price $289.00 Pre-Arrival Price $245.00 From Corton Renardes. Burghound: Hints of the sauvage add breadth to the very ripe plum and black berry liqueur nose that introduces rich, full and boldly powerful broad-shouldered flavors that possess a textured mouth feel as the dry extract stains the palate while pushing the firm tannins to the background, at least for the moment. A classic Renardes that should age like one as well. 91-94 Points. Drink: 2021+ Bill Nanson “The Burgundy Report”: Wide, intense, dark red and black fruit aromas. Very fine texture. It is concentrated and balanced. I love the precision that this shows.
2010 Domaine Bourgogne Pinot Noir Usual Price $43.50 Pre-Arrival Price $36.95 A Bourgogne Rouge of substance. Bill Nanson “The Burgundy Report”: Deep but quite fine aromas. Very good texture, good slightly grippy tannin. I like the authority here, there’s very good depth…
2010 Morey-St-Denis Usual Price $99.00 Pre-Arrival Price $84.00 A huge score for a village Morey! Jancis Robinson: Rather closed nose, then an impressive smoked meat and earthy character. Has some way to go, I suspect. Lots of underlying interest to the powerful palate. 17++
2010 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets Usual Price $125.00 Pre-Arrival Price $106.00 Located adjacent to Pommard Fremiers. Produces fine wines of style. Jancis Robinson: Red cherry, quite tart though not sour. Perhaps not quite as luxurious as some Volnays? 16.5
2010 Pommard 1er Cru Les Arvelets Usual Price $145.00 Pre-Arrival Price $123.00 South facing and steep with red soil containing plenty of stones. Jancis Robinson: Fresh oak mingles well with the red cherries and earthy, bracken tones. Softly gripping tannins, charming bacon fat character. Classic.
2010 Pommard 1er Cru Les Epenots Usual Price $195.00 Pre-Arrival Price $165.00 Epenots occupies some of the best land in Pommard. The lope is gentle but the high proportion of pebbles in the soil ensures good drainage and contributes to the elegance of Les Epenots. I don’t think Jancis Robinson’s very brief review does this wine justice. Jancis Robinson: Red cherries, beetroot, hints of vegetal character. Satisfyingly round and sleek. Juicy but lean, very attractive. 17
2010 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Usual Price $269.00 Pre-Arrival Price $229.00 A very serious Clos Vougeot. Please note: the 2010 Domaine Francois Parent Clos Vougeot Grand Cru reds is only available when purchased with an equal value of 2010 Domaine Francois Parent Premier Cru or Villages wines. Jancis Robinson: Smoky, slaty nose with a delicious struck match note. Grainy but fine tannins, loads of fruit, slinky and charming, but quite forceful too. Bold 18+
Domaine Bitouzet‑ Prieur 2010 Pre Arrival Offer Part 2 “One of the Great Domaines of Burgundy” Remington Norman Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur is a Volnay specialist. This domaine was founded in 1860. The arrival of the latest generation in the form of Vincent Bitouzet, has seen the domaine adopt a new attitude to vineyard management resulting in a rapid rise in quality of the wines produced. The domaine is moving towards organic agriculture. In terms of style, the domaine’s wines express finesse and elegance (as you expect from Volnay). Harvesting is carried out manually. The red grapes are sorted very thoroughly, so as to have total control over what goes into the tanks. With vinification, the keyword is respect for the terroirs. Vincent and François Bitouzet work hard so as not to lose the “terroir effect”, but rather to reveal it as much as possible. “Others envy us our terroirs. The more typical the wine is, the less chance that others will achieve the same quality”, they both affirm. The 2009 Bitouzet-Prieur wines were very well received and were amongst our best sellers. The wines combine quality with great pricing. Vintage 2010 offers a different style of wine. The vintage is beautifully ripe but is balanced by lovely acidity. The wines are very transparent and fresh and will drink well young but also cellar exceptionally well. Those of you partial to very old Burgundy will know just how well Volnay can age. Bitouzet-Prieur’s 2010 production, like all domaines, was well down on 2009. If you wish to secure stocks of the lovely wines please do not delay as they will be in short supply. The Bourgogne Rouge, Volnay Villages and Beaune 1er Cru Les Cent Vignes are now in stock. Premier Cru Reds and whites will be shipped in April-May 2012 - as soon as the domaine bottles and labels. We have added a new tasting notes from the Wine Advocate.
2010 Bourgogne Rouge In Stock $29.00 We did not offer this in 2009 but the 2010 is too good to resist! A selection from Cote de Beaune vineyards. Lots of flavour with charming, ripe fruit. Generous, delicious and all too easy to drink. This is a terrific Bourgogne for the price. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Bourgogne is an attractive, fleshy red with good depth and fine overall balance for its level. Sweet dark cherries, flowers and licorice wrap around the succulent finish. Anticipated maturity: 20122017. 86 Points
2010 Beaune 1er Cru Les Cent Vignes In Stock $55.00 Sand and limestone soil with good drainage. Completely different profile to the Volnays. Rich, generous and full. As with all 2010’s there is minerality adding a freshness and vibrancy. A great drink and by no means expensive. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Beaune Les Cent Vignes flows across the palate with gorgeous layers of dark red fruit, menthol, tar, licorice and sweet spices. It boasts considerable depth and richness to match its clean, layered finish. This is a terrific showing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 89-91 Points
2010 Volnay In Stock $49.99 From just over 2 hectares in three climats. Red with some black. A very fresh and flattering nose (I noted this in 2009 as well). Fresh and flavourful; pleasing tannins that are soft and fine. This is quite lovely. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Volnay is a gorgeous wine at this level. Layers of dark red fruit, crushed rocks and flowers flow gracefully in this textured, deep Volnay villages. The depth of the fruit is quite striking. A polished, energetic finish rounds things out in style. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. 89 Points
2010 Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds Usual Price $85.00 Pre-Arrival Price $72.00 A delightful wine with pure ripe fruit flavours. Volnay often has much in common with wines from the Cote de Nuits and this shows here. A step up in weight and complexity. Deeper more serious nose
of dark cherry with minerals. Very fine, chewy tannins that add great length. Very vibrant and fresh. With a little time in the cellar will show its magic. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Volnay Les Taillepieds shows gorgeous energy in its freshly cut flowers, vibrant red fruit and persistent minerally notes. This mid-weight, gracious Volnay impresses for its focus and nuance. Clean, saline notes frame the long finish. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. 91-94 Points
2010 Volnay 1er Cru Pitures Usual Price $82.00 Pre-Arrival Price $69.50 Pitures is located on the Pommard side of the commune and the wines tend to reflect their location. Vine age here is 35+ years. Lots of mineral with earth and small berries. Quite fine and elegant for the vineyard. With firmer tannin as is typical of Pitures adding structure. More serious in style, demanding a little time in the cellar. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Volnay Les Pitures boasts gorgeous textural depth and roundness in its dark red fruit. This is an especially soft, supple style of Volnay that is likely to be approachable relatively early. The old vines give the wine impressive depth and concentration, but there is also enough freshness to allow this to age for a number of years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 91-93 Points
2010 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $83.00 Clos des Chenes is considered by many to be one of the finest expressions of Volnay. Perhaps the most serious of the Volnays. Quite powerful with a little more tannin to balance. A serious wine that will benefit greatly from a little patience. Fruit here is darker, deeper and more complex. It is rich and rich but well balanced by the great 2010 freshness. Quite full bodied with minerals, red-black berries and spice. Terrific finish. A very stylish Volnay. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Volnay Clos des Chenes comes across as big, powerful and structured. Layers of dark fruit fill out the wine’s muscular frame nicely in this intense, deep Volnay. The 2010 will require patience, but it is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. This is a decidedly masculine style. Anticipated maturity: 20172030. 91-94 Points
2010 Volnay 1er Cru Caillerets Usual Price $99.00 Pre-Arrival Price $85.00 From a tiny 0.15 hectare holding. A beautifully exposed vineyard on a moderate slope with a mix of marl and limestone soil. The name comes from the small stones that abound in the vineyard. They assist heat retention and assist drainage.
Redder fruit than Clos de Chenes. Refined, stylish. Just a little less obvious and all about class. Very fine tannins under beautifully ripe and sweet fruit. As always a complete a wine of great style.
And some Whites Wines...... Bitouzet-Prieur also produces a range of white wines primarily from Meursault. The vines come from the wife’s side of the family.
2010 Bourgogne Blanc Usual Price $32.95 Pre-Arrival Price $28.00 From grapes from around Meursault. A lively Bourgogne with all crisp acidity and mineral freshness of the 2010 vintage. Drink young or cellar for a few years.
2010 Meursault Usual Price $68.00 Pre-Arrival Price $57.50 The estate's vines lie within the Meursault appellation zone at the northeastern edge of the village. The clayey limestone soil features a heavy clay concentration on a pebbly, even rocky, subsoil.
2010 Meursault Les Corbins Usual Price $74.00 Pre-Arrival Price $63.00 Les Corbins is located at the northern end of Meursault near the Premier Crus Les Plures and Les Santenots. They claylimestone soil produces a wine of medium body and balance.
2010 Meursault Clos du Cromin Usual Price $79.00 Pre-Arrival Price $67.00 Located to the west of Les Corbins, slightly higher up the slope. The old stone walls of this Clos still exist although they are in need of serious repair. This is a particularly good lieu-dit which offers a little extra in complexity.
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Santenots Usual Price $94.00 Pre-Arrival Price $79.95 Santenots is right on the Volnay border. Most of the vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir and is somewhat peculiarly labeled Volnay-Santenots. Not often seen as a white.
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes Usual Price $105.00 Pre-Arrival Price $89.00 Charmes produces the fullest, roundest wine of Meursault’s “big three”. It is the richest wine but still has ample legs to age very well. Bitouzet’s parcel has good southern exposure. The 2010 is mineral and fine for Charmes and will develop beautifully with a little time in the cellar.
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Perrieres Usual Price $115.00 Pre-Arrival Price $97.50 Meursault’s finest vineyard is often mentioned when elevation to Grand Cru status is discussed. The names refers to an old quarry rather than the usual “small stones”. The vineyard is still stony which no doubt is responsible for the mineral character of Perrieres. The 2010 Perrieres is fine, long and very classic style. A few years in the cellar will see the wine blossum, yet retain its elegant aspects. Exceptional buying for Meursault Perrieres.
2010 Puligny-Montrachet Les Levrons Usual Price $99.95 Pre-Arrival Price $85.0 The lieu-dit Les Levrons is located on the Meursault side of Puligny. The upper part of the vineyard is pebbly with more clay at the bottom. More mineral than the Meursaults with citrus and stone fruit.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine Jerome Chezeaux Does it again in 2010! More High Scoring Wines! Domaine Jerome Chezeaux has its origins in 1930 when Julien Missery purchased land in Nuits-St-Georges. The holdings were expanded by Bernard Chezeaux and in 1993 Jerome took over. Jerome studied at the Lycee Viticole de Beaune and with on the job training alongside his father. Whilst well versed in modern techniques it is the domaine’s aim to follow tradition, respect the environment and preserve terroir in the wines. The domaine extends over 11.3 hectares situated in the communes of Premeaux, Nuits, Vosne and Vougeot. It produces four different Nuits Premier Crus - Rue de Chaux, Les Pruliers, Aux Boudots and Les Vaucrains - as well as Vosne-Romanee Premier Crus Les Chaumes and Les Suchots. The domaine also owns a beautifully situated plot in the Grand Cru Clos de Vougeot nested near the Chateau at the top of the hill. All of the grapes are hand harvested, from the simple village wines to the Grand Cru. Jérôme employs a 3 to 4 day "maceration à froid" or cold maceration prior to the alcoholic fermentation, which generally lasts two to three weeks in open top cement tanks. During this time, the must undergoes daily manual "pigeages" and "remontages" to extract colour, flavor and tannins from the grape skins. After pressing in a gentle pneumatic press, the wine is transferred into oak barrels where it undergoes the malolactic fermentation in Chezeaux's underground cellar. One-third of the barrels are replaced each year, so the proportion of new wood in the wines is low by modern standards. The wines are aged 18 to 24 months in barrel before being bottled without filtration. Following on from the success of 2009, the 2010 wines have just received glowing reviews by Antonio Galloni in the Wine Advocate. “The 2010 harvest started on September 25 and lasted six days. The wines saw about 21 days of cuvaison (including 4-5 days cold soak) and were then aged in oak, with a fairly low amount of new wood, as is typical here. Yields were down 40% on average. The 2010s are on average excellent. The entry-level wines are terrific, both on absolute and relative terms. A number of the top 1er Crus and the Clos de Vougeot struck me as a bit closed, which is not surprising given the personality of the year. I will not be surprised if some of the top 2010s are even more impressive from bottle.” Galloni’s scores for 2010 are, in many cases, even higher than the exceptional 2009’s!
2010 Bourgogne Normal Price $36.00 Pre Arrival Price $29.99 A popular Bourgogne due to the aromatic fruit, purity and freshness. An exceptionally high score for Bourgogne! Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Bourgogne is a gorgeous wine laced with dark cherries, tar, menthol, smoke and tobacco. This is a decidedly big style of Bourgogne that clearly reflects the low yields of the vintage. There is more than enough structure underpinning the fruit. Warm spiced notes wrap around the finish. The Bourgogne is made mostly from vines in Premeaux plus some holdings in Vosne. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. (88-90 Points)
Nuits-St-Georges Chezeaux’s holdings in Nuits-St-Georges are particularly interesting. Nuits-St-Georges (NSG) is located at the southern end of the Cote-de-Nuits. It is a large commune cut completely in half by the town of NSG, the major commercial centre of the Cote-du-Nuits. The commune, when combined with the vineyards of Premeaux-Prissey which are labeled NSG, has no grand crus but boasts no less than 37 Grand Crus! (You’d think there would have to be something of Grand Cru quality in the mix - and one could argue that there is. There is a move afoot to have LesSt-Georges promoted). North of the town the vignoble is wide with a gentle slope away from the RN74. To the north is Vosne-Romanee and the NSG wines from this section, which share the same Bathonian limestone soil covered with pebbles, silt and clay tend to have much in common with their neighbour. They are finest and most subtle wines of the commune with the very best coming from near the border where the clay content is the lowest. Immediately south of the town the slope is narrower and the limestone Bathonian or the harder Comblanchien (popular for local building). The surface soil contains sand or gravel with less alluvial content. Here the best wines are the most powerful and some say truest expressions of NSG. This is considered the middle section of NSG. Crossing further south into Premeaux we see thin soils over rock that result in wines that are more sinewy. There are some interesting vineyards here including a number of monopoles (see our Patrice Rion offer).
2010 Nuits-St-Georges Normal Price $82.00 Pre Arrival Price $72.00 Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Nuits St. Georges is rich, powerful and decidedly masculine in style. It reveals plenty of length if not quite the sensuality of the Vosne. Still it is another overachiever at the villages level. Dark cherries, plums and licorice are some of the notes that are woven into the finish. The Nuits is a blend of parcels in Premeaux, Charbonnieres and Chaliots, vinified separately. This is a great showing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 88-90 Points
2010 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Rue de Chaux Normal Price $110.00 Pre Arrival Price $95.00 This Nuits Premier Cru vineyard is located at the very north of middle section. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Nuits St. Georges Rue de
Chaux is a huge, explosive wine bursting with sweet dark cherries, flowers, sweet herbs and mint. It is a decidedly ripe, exotic Nuits that stands out for a level of ripeness that borders on opulence. Jerome Chezeaux adds that these parcels, planted in 1943 and 1950, yielded high amounts of shot berries. Sweet, balsamic notes wrap around the huge finish. I can’t say this is especially elegant or refined, but is completely intriguing in its own way. There is no shortage of personality here. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028. 91-93 Points
2010 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers Normal Price $110.00 Pre Arrival Price $95.00 Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Nuits St. Georges Les Pruliers is another wine packed with tons of fruit and sheer structure. It isn’t as immediate as some of the other wines from this estate, but it does show considerable promise. Layers of dark red fruit, crushed rocks and minerals are woven together nicely on the energetic, virile finish. The 2010 will require some patience. Here, too, the style is a bit wild but full of character, even if the wine does find a measure of finesse with time in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. 92-94 Points
2010 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Aux Boudots Normal Price $110.00 Pre Arrival Price $95.00 Located right on the border adjoining Vosne-Romanee Malconsorts (not a bad place to be!). Coates considers Boudots “...altogether more Vosne in character than Nuits”, “There is an elegant, potential silkiness here which is alien to Nuits... This vineyard is bottled by a number of producers including Leroy (who charge somewhat more!). Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Aux Boudots comes across as more feminine and floral than the Vosne. Freshly cut roses, sweet red berries and spices are some of the many notes that flesh out in the glass. The 2010 boasts fabulous depth and a totally seductive personality. There is a brightness to the finish that is very attractive. The tannins are quite soft today, suggesting the wine won’t need more than a few years in bottle to show at its best. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. 91-93 Points
2010 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains Normal Price $159.00 Pre Arrival Price $139.00 From the powerful centre section of NSG. Usually a dark, vigorous, rich and mineral wine capable of long ageing. Wine Advocate: The 2010 Nuits St.-Georges Les Vaucrains is wonderfully complete. It is a big wine, yet all of the elements are beautifully integrated to a greater extent than in some of the other wines. The tannins are firm yet retain a certain level of elegance and finesse. The Vaucrains is deep, powerful and flat out great. Tar, smoke and incense are some of the notes that develop as the wine works its way to the huge, building finish. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. 93-95 Points
Vosne-Romanee The home of the greatest Grand Crus and eleven Premiers Crus, several of which are considered to be of Grand Cru quality. Chezeaux has two Premier Crus - Les Chaumes - diagonally across the border from NSG Boudots and bordering La Tache; and Les Suchots which is sandwiched between Romanee-St-Vivant, Richebourg and Echezeaux!
2010 Vosne-Romanee Normal Price $89.00 Pre Arrival Price $77.00 Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Vosne-Romanee is wonderfully fleshy and expressive. Black cherries, sweet spices, menthol and tobacco are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. Here, too, the low yields of the vintage give the wine an unusual amount of richness at this level. Sweet perfumed notes ring out on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. 89-91 Points
2010 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Chaumes Normal Price $115.00 Pre Arrival Price $99.00 Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Vosne-Romanee Les Chaumes is wonderfully cool and introspective. With time in the glass, plums, black cherries, mint, violets and spices emerge, adding a wonderful sense of texture and depth. Elements of firmness underpin the fruit, suggesting the wine has a very bright future. Sweet red flowers, mint and spices add complexity on the finish. I especially like the energy and tension. There is no shortage of potential here. Jerome Chezeaux notes this was the last wine to finish its malo. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. 92-94 Points
2010 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Suchots Normal Price $159.00 Pre Arrival Price $139.00 Located in the centre of the commune with Grand Crus galore alongside. To the north are the Echezeaux lieu-dits of Les Cruots/Vignes Blanche and Clos Saint-Denis which were where Henri Jayer’s and Emmanuel Rouget’s Echezeaux was/is sourced. Were it not for the slight change in the lie of the land this vineyard could easily have been classified as a Grand Cru. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Vosne-Romanee Les Suchots comes across as understated. Sweet dark berries, spices, flowers and mint are some of the notes that are woven into a finessed fabric of notable elegance. The Suchots is one of the most refined wines in the Chezeaux lineup. Despite its considerable sensuality, the wine needs time to fully come together. Silky tannins frame the persistent finish. The Suchots was the first wine to finish its malo. There is the potential for the Suchots to turn out even better than this note suggests. It will be fun to find out. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. 92-94 Points
2010 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Normal Price $210.00 Pre Arrival Price $2,310.00 Chezeaux’s parcel comprises a tiny 0.1754 hectares of prime vineyard immediately adjacent to the famous Château du Clos de Vougeot. Lying at an elevation of 254-255 m, it enjoys eastern/southeastern exposure. The soil is composed of thin layers of light brown clay and cobbles on fine-grained silt. Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni: The 2010 Clos de Vougeot is gorgeous. It boasts impeccable textural finesse in its dark red cherries, flowers, mint and licorice. I especially like its energy. This is another wine that doesn’t seem to be showing all of its cards at present. The fruit is so silky and fleshy, there is virtually no perception of tannin or Vougeot angularity. Sweet floral and minty notes add brightness and complexity on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. 92-94 Points
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon “...modern burgundies that retain a clear sense of style and grace” Burghound Our new Domaine in Gevrey-Chambertin... Domaine Jean-Michel Guillon was established in 1980. Jean-Michel was in aeronautics and when he caught the wine bug he did so big-time! In the ensuing years the domaine, which started from scratch, has grown to an impressive 13 hectares and features a range of vineyards mostly in Gevrey-Chambertin. These include a lovely range of Gevrey Premier Crus and the Grand Crus Mazis-Chambertin and Clos Vougeot. It is ideal to start with the exceptional 2010 vintage which is receiving tremendous reviews from everyone. Guillon, like virtually everyone, suffered from the deep frost and poor flower set and production in 2010 is down 30% on usual. The fruit picked was perfectly ripe and of excellent quality and the resulting wines have been very well reviewed by Burghound who says “ I would describe his wines as being among the best of the "new world" school of Burgundy, which is to say modern burgundies that retain a clear sense of style and grace.”. Adding to the attraction are the prices. Gevrey-Chambertin can be a quite expensive commune but the wines of Guillon are well priced and at our Pre Arrival Prices represent serious value. Make sure you read the Burghound reviews as I think they say a lot more about the quality of the wines than the (admittedly excellent) scores do! These are a lovely and exciting range of wines.
2010 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru Usual Price $195.00 Pre-Arrival Price $165.00 Adjoining Chambertin Clos de Beze, Mazis-Chambertin produces wines with the similar exciting, wild, slightly exotic character of its neighbour. Guillon owns 0.18 ha which is not a lot! Burghound: This is also intensely earthy with a plethora of red berry fruit aromas that include notes of plum, cassis and black cherry liqueur also exhibit copious amounts of that classic sauvage character of a fine Mazis. The impressively concentrated and overtly muscular big-bodied flavors are shaped by very firm but buried tannins and superb length on the balanced, austere and hugely long finish. This is a stunner of a wine built for the long haul. 93-95 Points. Drink: 2025+
2010 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Usual Price $195.00 Pre-Arrival Price $165.00 From 40+ year old vines and whole cluster fermentation, fermented entirely in a small 100% new wood tank. A tremendous example - read Burghound’s review! Burghound: This is notably riper with even more complex and very fresh aromas of spiced plum and an intense earthiness that also characterizes the delicious, dense and very serious flavors that also exhibit a high degree of phenolic maturity. There is wonderful energy to the balanced and superbly long finish that displays a bit less youthful austerity than I usually find with this wine. 92-94 Points. Drink: 2022+
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Petite Chapelle Usual Price $115.00 Pre-Arrival Price $97.50 Petite Chapelle adjoins the Grand Cru Chapelle-Chambertin and has many of the same elegant, silky characters. Guillon’s vines are 50+ years old. Burghound: A very subtle application of wood does not interfere with the transparency of the cool, pure and elegant black cherry liqueur aromas. There is equally good transparency to the rich and beautifully detailed medium-bodied flavors that possess truly lovely vibrancy on the ripe, racy and ultra-pure finish. This velvet-texture beauty is worth a long look. A Sweet Spot Wine. 91-93 Points. Drink: 2018+
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Champonnets Usual Price $99.00 Pre-Arrival Price $84.00 Champonnets is just up the hill from the Grand Cru Ruchottes-Chambertin. The soil has quite a lot of gravel giving a bit more mineral and lightness to the wine. Burghound: A similar but slightly more deeply pitched and complex nose precedes attractively rich and round flavors that are delicious but don't quite have the same energy or refinement on the suave and mouth coating finish. To be sure, this is balanced and altogether lovely but I marginally prefer the greater sense of harmony of the La Perrière.. A Sweet Spot Wine. 90-93 Points. Drink: 2020+
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Prieur Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $80.00 This vineyard once belonged to the Prior of Cluny - hence the name. It lies across the road from Mazis-Chambertin and the rich clay soils produce a wine of great depth. Burghound: No review of this wine. I would expect it to be very good indeed.
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Perriere Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $80.00 A serious source for top Beaune 1er Cru. Deeper and smokier with considerably more power. The wine is full in the mouth with fine grained tannins. Really very serious for Beaune and highly recommended. Burghound: This is perhaps the most mineral-driven wine of the entire range with a pure, ripe and elegant nose of cassis and lightly spiced plum that complements well the relatively refined middle weight flavors that ooze a very fine stony character on the linear, balanced and beautifully lingering finish. This is a Gevrey of finesse. A Sweet Spot Wine. 91-93 Points. Drink: 2018+
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes Usual Price $79.50 Pre-Arrival Price $67.50 Form a blend of small parcels all with 50+ year old vines. Burghound: Integrated wood frames an impressively complex if decidedly somber nose of plum, cassis and plenty of Gevrey style earth. There is exceptionally good richness to the solidly well-concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess an abundance of old vine extract that relegates the firm tannic spine to the background on the balanced and strikingly long finish. This delivers excellent quality for its level and is recommended plus it should amply reward a decade of cellar time. A Sweet Spot Wine. 89-92 Points. Drink: 2020+
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Usual Price $62.95 Pre-Arrival Price $53.50 A lovely Villages Gevrey at a super price! Burghound: A gentle touch of wood sets of very ripe aromas of kirsch, plum and cassis. The earthy, rich, round and velvety middle weight flavors possess excellent phenolic ripeness and culminate in a lingering finish that possess that attractive quality of underlying tension. Like the Bourgogne, this could be enjoyed now. 87-90 Points. Drink: 2017+
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvee Pere Galland Usual Price $68.95 Pre-Arrival Price $58.50 A special hommage cuvee. Burghound: In contrast to the relatively expressive noses of the prior three wines, this is much more serious with brooding aromas of earth, wild red berries and a whiff of humus. There is excellent energy to the detailed and lightly mineral-suffused flavors that possess good ripeness to the structural elements where the finish again displays a wonderful sense of tension and energy. 88-91 Points. Drink: 2018+
2010 Morey-St-Denis 1er Cru La Riotte Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $80.00 La Riotte is just below the village of Morey. Burghound: A cool, pure and extremely pretty nose of both red and black cherry that is nuanced by soft iron-inflected earth aromas. There is fine concentration and real verve to the beautifully well-balanced flavors that possess impressive depth and length. A moderately structured Morey 1er of refinement. A Sweet Spot wine. 90-93 points. Drink: 2018+
2010 Chambolle-Musigny Usual Price $79.50 Pre-Arrival Price $67.50 Classic Chambolle! Burghound: Not surprisingly, this is much more elegant with an expressive and layered nose of black cherry and raspberry aromas. The rich, round and suave flavors are underpinned by relatively fine-grained tannins that impart a dusty texture to the delicious and well-balanced finish. 88-90 Points. Drink: 2016+
2010 Nuits-St-Georges Les Chaillots Usual Price $79.50 Pre-Arrival Price $67.50 And a classy Nuits! Burghound: A discreet application of wood sets off pungently earthy and quite ripe aromas of primarily red pinot and blue berry that give way to rich, suave and delicious medium weight flavors that are shaped by phenolically ripe and firm tannins before culminating in a sappy, balanced and vibrant finish. This is very Nuits in character and not especially elegant but the overall impression is of a villages that delivers excellent quality in an ageworthy package. 89-91 Points. Drink: 2020+
2010 Marsannay Clos des Portes Monopole Usual Price $52.50 Pre-Arrival Price $44.50 Located at the top of the Cote de Nuits Marsannay is an commune that is starting to produce some wines of serious quality. Clos des Portes is a monopole of Domaine Guillon. Worth a look! Burghound: Deep ruby. A ripe and distinctly earthy nose of mostly cassis and red currant aromas leads to rich and seductively textured medium-bodied flavors that possess good mid-palate concentration, all wrapped in a sappy finish that delivers fine length. Solid quality here. 87-89 Points. Drink: 2016+
2010 Bourgogne Pinot Noir Usual Price $34.50 Pre-Arrival Price $29.50 A serious Bourgogne that is aged in 50% new wood. Burghound: A ripe, fresh and very pretty nose features notes of violets, blue berry, plum and earth. There is good richness to the delicious and energetic flavors that possess fine volume and notably better than average length for its level. A lovely Bourgogne that could be drunk now or aged a few years first if desired. 86-88 Points. Drink: 2014+
2010 Bourgogne Chardonnay Usual Price $29.00 Pre-Arrival Price $24.50 Inexpensive French Chardonnay! No Burghound review yet but based on the reds is well worth buying.
2010 Bourgogne Pinot Blanc Usual Price $32.50 Pre-Arrival Price $27.50 There is not a lot of Pinot Blanc left in Burgundy. This wine is something of a novelty.
2010 Santenay Blanc Les Bras Usual Price $49.95 Pre-Arrival Price $42.50 Santenay is the southern-most commune of the Cote de Beaune. This cuvee is typically fresh and zingy and 2010 is no exception.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine du Clos Frantin Grand Crus Galore from the 2010 Vintage! “An outstanding array of Grand Crus from an estate winning awards galore” Albert Bichot owns four estates set at the heart of four great viticultural regions that make up Burgundy; Chablis, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune and Cote Chalonaise. As is the case through much of Burgundy the new generation has brought renewed enthusiasm and a level of skill that has resulted in a rapid rise in quality. The modern method have produced array of wines that have received excellent reviews in the wine press. In fact Albert Bichot has won both Red Wine Maker of the Year in 2004 and White Wine Maker of the Year in 2011 at the International Wine Challenge. A testament to the quality wines now produced. As Burghound says “I would also point out that the Clos Frantin wines have made huge strides in the last few years and the comments and scores reflect this progress. Indeed, the quality in both 2009 and 2010 are exemplary.” We are pleased to present our 2010 Pre Arrival Offer for the wines from the Cote d’Or. We have expanded our range a little to include some popular vineyards but otherwise the range still includes the tremendous selection of the greatest Grand Crus. The estate, like everyone in Burgundy. also suffered from a small vintage in 2010. Several wines are in short supply so please act quickly to guarantee your requirements. We plan to ship in about 2 months time.
2010 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Malconsorts Usual Price $165.00 Pre-Arrival Price $140.00 Les Malconsorts is an exceptional 1er Cru. It is located alongside La Tache and is less than 400 metres from Romanee-Conti. Domaine du Frantin owns a substantial 1.76 ha parcel with a vine age of 35 to 40 years. Jasper Morris MW says “Aux Malconsorts was first taken out of scrubland and planted with vines in 1610, relatively late for this part of the Cote. Nonetheless it is an exceptional vineyard, one of my three favourite premier crus along with Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses and Gevrey-Chambertin Clos St-Jacques.” The rose petal character Burghound mentions is something I often see in the wines of DRC. Burghound: Almost invisible wood frames subtly spiced ripe black cherry and plum aromas that lead to powerful and mineral-driven middle weight plus flavors that possess the usual Malconsorts taut muscularity and robust punch on the mouth coating finish. This should be excellent but note that 10 to 12 years will be required first. A Sweet Spot wine. 90-93 Points. Drink: 2020+
2010 Clos-de-Vougeot Grand Cru Usual Price $215.00 Pre-Arrival Price $183.00 The Domaine’s vines are in the southern part of the vineyard and occupy a long, narrow strip which, uncommonly, stretches from the bottom to the top of the vineyard. The variations in soil, slope and vine age throughout the vineyard make for a complex Clos-de-Vougeot. Burghound: This is really quite elegant with airy and cool yet entirely ripe dark berry fruit aromas that are liberally laced with warm earth and very subtle oak hints. There is excellent intensity to the powerful and beautifully well-delineated large-scaled flavors that possess plenty of tannin-buffering dry extract, all wrapped in a classically austere, linear and explosive finish. A classic Clos de Vougeot where the phenolic ripeness is impeccable. 92-94 Points. Drink: 2025+ Jancis Robinson: Lightish ruby. Fragrant and delicate on the nose and then really rich and tightly dense. Lovely definition and finely shaped. Dry, paper-fine tannins and great length. Mouthwateringly fresh as it finishes but all in balance. 17.5 Points
2010 Echezeaux Grand Cru Usual Price $215.00 Pre-Arrival Price $183.00 The Domaine du Clos Frantin owns 0.91 ha in the climat of of Les Champs Traversins, at mid slope just above Grands Echezeaux. The climat has just 15-20 cm of topsoil with fractured bedrock below. Both Burghound and Jasper Morris consider this site to produce finer and more elegant expressions of Echezeaux and wines that are beautifully perfumed. Dujac’s Echezeaux vines are also in this climat. Burghound: Classic Vosne spice notes add plenty of breadth and depth to the pure cassis, black cherry and warm earth aromas that introduce exceptionally rich, velvety and generous medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a supple, mouth coating and long finish. There is excellent ripeness to the supporting structural elements and about the
only nit is a subtle touch of backend warmth. 90-93 Points. Drink: 2022+
2010 Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru Usual Price $309.00 Pre-Arrival Price $263.00 From a small 0.25 ha parcel. Burghound: Here there is slightly more wood in evidence but also noticeably more aromatic complexity to the exceptionally spicy nose of ripe plum, earth and slightly animale scents. This is really quite refined for the appellation as the mid-palate is pure silk which disguises somewhat the underlying muscularity of the big-bodied flavors that are blessed with both excellent concentration as well as plenty of palate coating dry extract. This is a powerful but balanced effort that offers outstanding length and is unapologetically built to age. 92-94 Points. Drink: 2025+ Jancis Robinson: Mid crimson. Sweet red fruit aroma. Rich and inviting on the nose. Amazingly silky and supple even though the tannins make themselves felt at the very end. Lithe and long and harmonious even though so young. Juicy, fluid finish. 17 Points
2010 Richebourg Grand Cru Usual Price $619.00 Pre-Arrival Price $526.00 Just a tiny parcel of domaine owned land producing a terrific Richebourg. Very limited. Burghound: Like the Grands EchĂŠzeaux, this offers up remarkably complex aromas of black berry fruits, stone and a dazzling array of Asian-style spice nuances. The palate impression is at once broad but focused with finely detailed, powerful, mineral-driven and wonderfully energetic large-scaled flavors that culminate in a dusty, austere and hugely long finish. This is potentially brilliant as it has everything it needs to mature into a wine of greatness. 93-96 points. Drink: 2025+
2010 Chambertin Grand Cru Usual Price $379.00 Pre-Arrival Price $320.00 This comes from a tiny 0.17 ha parcel! The Chambertin has a lovely ruby red robe. The nose is elegant, racy and complex and develops notes of green tea, cigar tobacco, prunes, dates and rosemary. Fat, ample and powerful, this wine is balanced and velvety. The finale is persistent and aromatic. (from the domaine) Burghound: This is also notably elegant and very cool with a perfumed if reticent nose comprised of wet stone, underbrush, wild red berry fruit and pungent earth aromas. The mouth coating and broad-shouldered flavors ooze with a very fine minerality that continues onto the austere, focused, linear and almost painfully intense finish that delivers spectacular length. Like several of the wines in the range, this is a classic example of the appellation. 92-94 Points. Drink: 2025+
Domaine du Pavillon 2010’s from the Cote du Beaune Domaine du Pavillon is the estate’s domaine in the Cote de Beaune. Here they produce some tremendous whites (remember Bichot was white wine maker of the year in 2011) and some interesting reds including several Monopoles. I have selected a few of the most prestigious and interesting wines from this domaine to offer. There are no 2010 white reviews from Burghound yet.
2010 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru Usual Price $179.00 Pre-Arrival Price $152.00 From a 1.09 ha holding in the climat of Les Languettes, high on the slope of the Corton hill. The 2009 Corton-Charlemagne won White Wine of the year at the International Wine Challenge. I anticipate this wine will be of very similar high quality With an attractive pale golden robe embellished with green reflections, our Corton Charlemagne takes on more amber yellow shades with aging. Of infinite delicateness, the bouquet expresses buttery notes, oven-baked apple, citrus fruit, pineapple, limewood, juniper, cinnamon and flint. Hints of honey are also frequent. The concentration, distinction and balance of the chardonnay here is pleasantly surprising. The finale is complex and intense. (from the domaine) Jancis Robinson: Creamy but delicate. Something oddly hard, almost metallic, on the mid palate. Maybe it is just very tight or shy but I find it hard. Going back to it, it is really very salty and mineral. The winemaker Alain Serveau says this has great matière and needs more time to show itself. 17.5+ Points
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $81.00 No tasting notes to date for this wine. Meursault Charmes is perhaps the most recognizable wines of Meursault. It embodies the richness and fullness of the commune. In 2010 the wine has the lovely acidity that runs through all well made whites.
2010 Pommard Clos Les Ursulines MONOPOLE Usual Price $59.00 Pre-Arrival Price $50.00 The Clos des Ursulines, a peaceful haven dotted with centuries-old pine trees, is located at the heart of Pommard. It is undoubtedly this tranquillity that once enchanted the nuns from the Ursuline convent who were the first owners of the estate. This walled vineyard is now the favourite spot for the current generation of Bichot children to play at hide-and-seek when the family gets together for one of their grand reunions. This 4-hectare monopole is located at the southern end of the Pommard appellation toward Volnay. At the foot of the slope, clayey calcic brown soil overlies hard Middle Jurassic limestone. Facing east/south-east, this vineyard benefits from excellent exposure to the sun which yields quality fruit. The high proportion of clay in the soil lends both structure and depth to the wine. Endowed with beautiful, deep garnet red colour, this Pommard Clos des Ursulines reveals a fruity nose with aromas of cherry, blackcurrant and fig. Over the years these aromas will evolve toward notes of coffee and leather. Full and round on the palate with ripe tannins and rich, but not heavy, substance. This wine is powerful and well-structured yet remains subtle, elegant, silky and almost "feminine" due to the vineyard's proximity to Volnay. The finish is silky and velvety. (from the domaine) This is always an impressive cuvee and is great value. Jancis Robinson: Mid dark crimson. Fragrant with sweet lightly spiced red cherries. Sweet on the palate, smooth tannins, particularly for Pommard. Then more savoury and darker fruited. Good depth, firm but polite. 16.5 Points
2010 Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens Usual Price $115.00 Pre-Arrival Price $98.00 From a 0.33 ha plot in the most sought-after of all the Pommard vineyards. Rugiens, named after the red soil, is built to age. There has been talk of proposing Rugiens for Grand Cru status. The Pommard 1er Cru Les Rugiens has a beautiful deep ruby red colour with raspberry nuances. The nose is fine yet powerful with a dominant of red fruits followed by a very well-blended smoky oak. Lovely persistence, this wine has density and racy tannins. (from the domaine) No Burghound note yet.
2010 Volnay1er Cru Les Santenots Usual Price $81.00 Pre-Arrival Price $69.00 First mentioned in 1218 when the Abbey de Tart ceded its Meursault vineyards to Citeaux. The transaction included two ouvrees of Santenot. Despite its attribution to Volnay, Santenots lies wholly within Meursault. The white wines are label Meursault - the reds Volnay. In Santenots there is more clay in the soil than in most of Volnay. It is the most famous of the Volnay vineyards and benefits greatly from time in the cellar. Very old Volnay Santenots can be quite remarkable. No tasting notes to date.
2010 Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru Clos des Marechaudes MONOPOLE Usual Price $75.00 Pre-Arrival Price $64.00 A 1.41 ha Clos belonging solely to the Domaine du Pavillon. The 1er Cru Marechaudes, not surprisingly, adjoins the Grand Cru below. An interesting comparison! No tasting notes to date.
2010 Corton Clos de Marechaudes Grand Cru MONOPOLE Usual Price $140.00 Pre-Arrival Price $120.00 This Monopole is 0.55 ha in size and faces directly east on the Corton hill. At this price this Grand Cru is less than many Premier Crus from other makers. The price represents extremely good value for a Grand Cru Red! Jancis Robinson: Bright darkish crimson. Slightly dusty, withheld dark fruit. Just a little stemmy. Mineral too. Then rich, dark and fine grained on the palate. Manages density and elegance at the same time. Streamlined, elegant, precise and long. Nowhere but Burgundy‌17.5 Points
Maison Albert Bichot Lots more 2010 Grand Crus The Bichot family traces its origins back to 1214. From 1350 the family was established in Burgundy. In 1831 Bernard Bichot founded a wine brokerage that bore his name and after 180 years the business is headed by sixth generation to run the house, Alberic. In addition to the estates owned by the company, Bichot also acts as a negociant, bottling parcels selected from across Burgundy. We feature a small selection of the most interesting wines from Maison Albert Bichot.
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrieres Usual Price $95.00 Pre-Arrival Price $81.00 Named after the stone quarries, remnants of which still exist, including a small chunk of the vineyard beside the road. Perrieres always exhibits minerality. Jancis Robinson: More mineral and steely than the Beaune on the nose but on the palate, rich lemon, almost sweet tasting in its ripeness of fruit. But then pure and fresh and crystalline. Silky and fluid. 17.5 Points
2010 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $399.00 Pre-Arrival Price $339.00 A very serious wine. Jancis Robinson: Rich, pure and pretty ripe, restrained by the freshness. Intense and still so primary (hardly surprising). Fruit is so pure, the citrus tastes almost sweet but it is of course dry and really fresh. 18 Points
2010 Montrachet Grand Cru Usual Price $650.00 Pre-Arrival Price $552.00 From the Puligny side. No tasting notes yet. This will be tremendous. The 2009 Burghound note is below to give you an idea of the style. Price is a little less the 2009! Burghound: In contrast to the expressiveness of the prior wines, this is really very reserved and only aggressive swirling manages to coax reluctant aromas of toasty oak, lemon, apricot, peach and mango hints to reveal themselves. The incredibly rich, opulent and palate drenching flavors brim with seemingly buckets of dry extract that confers a textured mouth feel as it buffers the firm acid spine on the explosive and hugely long finish. This is a very impressive effort that should age for years. 95 Points. Drink: 2019+
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St-Jacques Usual Price $126.00 Pre-Arrival Price $107.00 From Bichot: With a beautiful garnet red robe, this Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques has aromas of ripe fruit, jam, mild spices and leather, with a delicate touch of oak. The mouth is powerfully concentrated and robust, tannic and well-balanced with a lovely long finish. No Burghound note.
2010 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cazetiers Usual Price $126.00 Pre-Arrival Price $107.00 From Bichot: The Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "Les Cazetiers" is a deep and dark ruby-red colour. With a strong nose which is fullblooded and quite masculine, it develops notes of red fruit with a slightly leathery finish. Huge on the palate, with a nice feeling of spices and supportive oakyness No Burghound note.
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses Usual Price $259.00 Pre-Arrival Price $220.00 Chambolle’s most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyard. Often suggested as a candidate for Grand Cru status. This Amoureuses is great value compared to other big names.
Burghound: Here there is the presence of slightly more obvious wood but it does not really fight with the spicy, ripe and elegant black cherry, plum and cassis aromas. There is excellent richness to the velvety and generously proportioned middle weight flavors that contain an obvious mineral component on the seductively textured and solidly persistent finish. The tannins are sophisticated and the overall impression is one of class and grace. This is worth considering because in addition to possessing lovely potential, it's also really very stylish. A Sweet Spot wine. 90-93 Points. Drink: 2018+
2010 Clos-de-la-Roche Grand Cru Usual Price $225.00 Pre-Arrival Price $191.00 From Bichot: This red Clos de la Roche Grand Cru has an attractive bright red robe. Fruity and refreshing, the nose has aromatic aromas of red fruit, aniseed, tobacco, cherry and menthol notes. Rich and wellbalanced in the mouth, this wine is robust and yet crisp. The finale is intense and flavoured with notes of crystallised fruit and spices. Burghound: A very reserved nose speaks primarily of plum liqueur and warm earth aromas that are very much in keeping with the intense, powerful and firmly structured medium weight plus flavors that possess a velvety and mouth coating finish that delivers outstanding length. This understated effort possesses fine balance and there is enough underlying material to suggest that this should offer 15 to 18 years of upside development potential. 91-93 Points. Drink: 2025+
2010 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru Usual Price $267.00 Pre-Arrival Price $227.00 From Bichot: On tasting this Bonnes Mares Grand Cru we can truly appreciate the combination of a great terroir with a great varietal: intense red robe which on aging will turn more orange. The nose is superb, with notes of cooked fruit, woodland and acacia honey. The mouth is fleshy and full with silky tannins. Very, very persistent finale... Burghound: Noticeable wood that is not subtle fights somewhat with the otherwise spicy purple fruit and subtle mineral nuances that continue onto the rich, intense and impressively scaled and concentrated flavors that possess good focus. There is excellent phenolic ripeness to the structural elements and while this is a powerful wine, it is not a massive one. The mid-palate density is such that this should be able to successfully integrate the wood in time though I suspect that this will be on the woody side during its immediate youth. 91-94 Points. Drink: 2025+
2010 Romanee-St-Vivant Grand Cru Usual Price $445.00 Pre-Arrival Price $378.00 From Bichot: Following several years' laying, this wine will open up to reveal its most exquisite nuances. A nose composed of stewed fruit, nutmeg and leather illustrate the extraordinary results which Pinot Noir can offer us when cultivated on Burgundy's best vineyards. A mastered powerfulness. Suave, delicate and complex and very elegant. The finish is long, very long..... a grand wine. No tasting note from Burghound.
2010 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Usual Price $200.00 Pre-Arrival Price $171.00 From Bichot: A dark red robe with raspberry, redcurrant and violet aromas. A few years' keeping will modify these primary aromas towards more animal and spicy notes, whilst maintaining great freshness. The mouth is a skilful blend of power, elegance and voluptuousness. No Burghound note.
2010 Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru Usual Price $210.00 Pre-Arrival Price $179.00 From Bichot: This Latricières Chambertin Grand Cru has a lovely garnet-red robe. The nose is both delicate and intense, with notes of wild woodland fruity aromas such as blackcurrant, raspberry with a floral rose hint. The mouth's structure is imposing but also supple and silky. The balance is perfect and the finale staggering. No Burghound note.
2010 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru Usual Price $245.00 Pre-Arrival Price $209.00 From Bichot: A garnet red robe whispers aromas of black cherry, cocoa and mint. A few years' keeping will modify these primary aromas towards more animal and spicy notes, whilst maintaining great freshness. The mouth is a skilful blend of power, elegance and voluptuousness. No Burghound note.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine Patrice Rion 2010 Pre Arrival Offer “One of the Great Domaines of Burgundy” Clive Coates. The Domaine Michele and Patrice Rion was born in 2000 when Patrice decided to leave the family estate Domaine Daniel Rion. He took with him parcels of Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Charmes and Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Argillieres and built a cuveries and cellar on his own property. Since then the domaine has expanded with including the addition of the monopole Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Clos St Marc which had previously been bottled by Bouchard. Patrice farms organically and is trialling biodynamic viticulture. Patrice is convinced that great wine is created in the vineyard. Grapes are sorted on two tables de tri and are 100% destemmed. Temperatures are kept cool through the winemaking process to retain the aromatics. The Premier Crus typically see 50% new oak. The 2009 reds proved extremely popular and I am pleased to say the 2010 wines are at least as good, if not better. Burghound has scored virtually all of the 2010’s higher than the 2009’s. This year we add a little ChambolleMusigny 1er Cru Les Gruenchers, Nuits-St-Georges Vieilles Vignes and Bourgogne Rouge to the mix. Please note that Rion suffered a substantial reduction in production and our 2010 allocation is smaller than 2009. The good news is that even though prices ex Domaine have risen, with the weak Euro prices for the 2010 wines are lower than 2009.
2010 Bourgogne Rouge Usual Price $34.00 Pre-Arrival Price $28.95 Rion has some excellent vineyards around Chambolle and Nuits to blend into his Bourgogne. It is 100% Pinot Noir and always has some power and complexity. it is also very well priced. No Burghound note.
2010 Chambolle Musigny Usual Price $91.50 Pre-Arrival Price $77.50 Lovely elegant lifted nose of red fruits with a little vanillacreme. A delightful villages wine that will provide great pleasure. Burghound: A touch of wood spice sets off otherwise pretty and ripe yet quite cool red pinot fruit and wet stone aromas that complement the equally mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that possess good precision on the delicate, balanced and solidly lingering finish. A quality villages that is very Chambollesque. 87-89
2010 Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras Usual Price $99.00 Pre-Arrival Price $84.00 Rion owns 0.50 ha of the lieu-dit slightly south-west of Bonnes-Mares. More weight and depth than the regular cuvee but still with always an outstanding Chambolle character of red fruits and violets on the nose. Tighter and more structured on the finish. Burghound: Here too mild wood spice influence is discernible on the somewhat more restrained if similar nose of pretty and fresh mineral-infused red pinot fruit. The detailed medium weight flavors are even stonier with superior mid-palate concentration as well, all wrapped in a punchy, complex and particularly long finish. This is a really lovely effort especially for a villages level wine. Definitely worth a look. A Sweet Spot wine. 88-91
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuees Usual Price $148.00 Pre-Arrival Price $126.00 One of my favourite Chambolle Premier Crus. It always seems fresh and lively with medium body but serious depth. Located immediately south of Bonnes-Mares. A little more closed and serious with the creamy red fruit typical of the commune. Beautifully poised. Burghound: This is clearly ripe with medium-toned aromas of plum and cherry liqueur plus plenty of the hallmark stoniness that also characterizes the rich, dense and firm middle weight flavors that possess fine mid-palate concentration. There is excellent complexity to the balanced and impressively persistent finish. A high-quality effort that is textbook FuĂŠes. A Sweet Spot wine. 91-93
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Gruenchers Usual Price $135.00 Pre-Arrival Price $115.00 Located near Les Fuees and a stone’s throw from BonnesMares. That would explain Burghound’s “blue berry and ironinflected earth aromas”. Burghound: Here the wood treatment is more subtle though not invisible with ripe red currant, blue berry and ironinflected earth aromas. There is excellent richness to the supple and rather fleshy medium-bodied flavors that possess good power and excellent length. This is less obviously Chambolle in character but that does not really diminish the appeal of the serious and mildly somber effort as there is good vibrancy and fine depth here. 90-92
2010 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes Usual Price $143.00 Pre-Arrival Price $121.00 From a 0.46 ha holding planted in 1951. A little riper with a raspberry and cream character from the old vines. Burghound: A highly refined and strikingly pure nose offers up really lovely and well-layered aromas of red berries, cassis and once again a lovely touch of wet stone. The rich, round and plump flavors possess a seductively textured mouth feel as there is plenty of structure-buffering dry extract to the lingering and utterly delicious finish. This should be excellent in time and there is more minerality present than one typically finds in the average Charmes. This too is worth considering. A Sweet Spot wine. 91-93
2010 Vougeot 1er Cru Les Cras Usual Price $109.00 Pre-Arrival Price $93.00 Les Cras is located across the road north of Clos Vougeot. Burghound: Reduction blocks an evaluation of the nose but there is good punch to the muscular and chewy mediumbodied flavors that are shaped by notably firm tannins yet the balanced and lingering finish is well-balanced and attractively mineral-infused. This is presently overtly austere and will require up to a decade of cellar time. 89-92
2010 Nuits-St-Georges Vieilles Vignes Usual Price $79.95 Pre-Arrival Price $67.95 From an assemblage of small plots with old vines. Burghound: An intensely earthy red and dark berry fruit nose also evidences a hint of the sauvage that carries over to the rich and impressively concentrated flavors for its level that terminate in a chewy, serious and moderately rustic finish. This is a big villages and very Nuits in basic character. 87-89
2010 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Clos des Argillieres Usual Price $126.00 Pre-Arrival Price $107.00 A 1.8 ha site planted in 1939 and 1955 located on the slope in Premeaux just above the winery. This 1er Cru is characterized by finesse, elegance and powerful tannins, and is easily recognizable by its fruity nose of black cherries and blackberries. Round, supple and with a long finish, the ripe tannins and depth of fruit produce a wine capable of drinking young, yet which will improve with cellaring. Burghound: Due to the late malo there are still vestiges of fermentation aromas along with ripe and dense red and blue pinot fruit aromas together with a plentitude of earth influence that doesn't stop at the nose as there is also a distinct earthiness to the supple and round flavors. This is a good deal more refined than the Nuits villages as there is a pleasing mouth feel and a discreet minerality on the restrained and understated finish. I like the balance and overall sense of refinement though there isn't the complexity of the Clos St. Marc. 89-91
2010 Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru Clos St Marc Monopole Usual Price $148.00 Pre-Arrival Price $126.00 A 0.93 ha monopole purchased by the Rions in 2003. This was formerly farmed by Bouchard Pere et Fils and Patrice has spent much time on the vineyard which had been subject to excessive use of weed killers and anti-rot spray. Clos St Marc is almost entirely surrounded by the Clos de Argillieres but is quite different in style. A bigger richer wine with serious concentration finishing with a firm, yet fine and powerful finish. Patrice is proud of how this appellation has improved each year. Burghound: Mild reduction doesn't completely hide the ripe plum, cassis and earthy nose. The rich, concentrated and extract-rich flavors possess excellent volume and the abundant sap confers a velvety and seductively textured mouth feel to the very firmly structured, balanced and long finish. The underlying phenolics possess very good maturity and while this is very clearly a firmly structured Nuits St. Georges, it is not rustic. Worth considering. 90-92
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Henri Boillot 2010 White Burgundy Pre-Arrival Offer Henri Boillot continues to turn out some of the most exciting white Burgundies. We have just received our allocation of 2010 Henri Boillot whites and not surprsingly, in line with the reduced yields for the vintage, quantities of most appellations are down. As a buyer of 2009 Henri Boillot wines we are pleased to offer you first opportunity to secure the 2010 releases. Remember that 2010 is a great year for White Burgundy and demand for all quality wines will be high. To ensure the wines are shared around please try to provide a mix of wines in your order, particularly if you would like some Grand Crus as quantities are small. Orders will be confirmed with your invoice. Payment is due upon receipt of invoice. Wines will be shipped next year.
2010 Batard-Montrachet Usual Price $595.00 Pre-Arrival Price $505.00 Tanzer: Greenish yellow. Peach, orange, clove oil, hazelnut and vanillin oak on the nose. Lush and voluminous, with considerable power and a solid impression to the stone fruit and pineapple flavors. Wonderfully chewy and sappy wine with a building whiplash of a finish. The sweetness of fruit is nicely buffered by underlying minerality. This may be the richest 2010 that I tasted here today (the alcohol is 13.2%), and will need extended aging. 93-95 Points
2010 Criots-Batard-Montrachet Usual Price $410.00 Pre-Arrival Price $349.00 Tanzer: (just finished its malo the week before my visit): Soft citrus fruits, lemon and almond skin on the nose. Sweet on entry, then quite backward in the middle, with harmonious acidity keeping the flavors of soft citrus fruits, spices and green almond in the background today. A bit youthfully dry on the finish. Conveys a rather strong impression of acidity, but this is technically the lowest in acid of Boillot's five grand crus. 91-94 Points
2010 Corton-Charlemagne Usual Price $269.00 Pre-Arrival Price $229.00 Tanzer: no note. This is always a stunner and one of the “bargains� of the house.
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles Usual Price $175.00 Pre-Arrival Price $149.00 Tanzer: no note
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchere Monopole Usual Price $163.00 Pre-Arrival Price $139.00 Tanzer: Complex, ripe aromas of peach, smoke, minerals and hazelnut. Supple, sweet and generous; already wonderfully pliant and round. With its combination of gentle acidity and quiet force, this stylish premier cru will offer terrific early charm but also age well. Finishes suave, sweet and very long. 92-95 Points
2010 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets Usual Price $175.00 Pre-Arrival Price $149.00 Tanzer: (still a bit of malic acidity remaining): Pale yellow. Yellow fruits, minerals and crushed stone on the nose, along with smoky and petrolly nuances. Tactile, chewy and very pure, showing the mineral precision and rich-but-dry texture of a Chevalier-Montrachet. The long, rising finish dusts the palate and lingers on the aftertaste. 92-94 Points
2010 Puligny-Montrachet Villages Usual Price $98.00 Pre-Arrival Price $83.50 Tanzer: Musky aromas of peach and lees. Broad, fat and quite dry; rich, serious and deep for village wine. This wine, plus the Puligny Perrieres and Clos des Moucheres, were the only wines that had finished their malolactic fermentations in Boillot's colder domain cellar under his house in Volnay. 89-91 Points
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Genevrieres Usual Price $152.00 Pre-Arrival Price $130.00 Tanzer: No note
2010 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes Usual Price $147.00 Pre-Arrival Price $125.00 Tanzer: (tasted just after the end of the malo): Medium yellow. Sexy aromas of stone fruits and hazelnut. Rich, tactile and dry, with considerable nuance to the flavors of stone fruits, sweet herbs and minerals. These vines are on the Puligny side of Charmes, and it shows in the wine's strong, dusty minerality and classically dry finish. Terrific potential. 92-94 Points
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chaumees Usual Price $130.00 Pre-Arrival Price $110.00 Tanzer: Smoke, minerals and a saline nuance on the soil-driven nose. Fat and ripe but with lovely mineral precision giving shape to the apple and stone fruit flavors. Much longer and denser than the Embrazees. Finishes smooth and persistent, with attractive minerality. These vines, located higher on the hillside, were picked last in 2010, according to Boillot: in early October with potential alcohol of 12.8%. The wine was not chaptalized. 90-93 Points
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Embrazees Usual Price $130.00 Pre-Arrival Price $110.00 Tanzer: Bright yellow. Very ripe aromas of pear and nectarine complicated by butter and honey. Fat, ripe and dry, with a hint of licorice; fruit currently overshadowed by oak. Finishes tactile but a bit lean, with a hint of malic acidity. I tasted this from a new 350-liter-barrel, but the ultimate blend will be more like 40% new oak. 89-91 Points
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes Usual Price $130.00 Pre-Arrival Price $110.00 Tanzer: Exotic aromas of apricot and pina colada. Lush, ripe and fruity, but powerful stony minerality and firm acids give the middle palate a somewhat disjointed impression today. This intense, firmly structured wine finishes with a saline note--and still a bit of malic acidity. 90-93 Points
2010 Bourgogne Chardonnay Usual Price $42.00 Pre-Arrival Price $35.70 Tanzer: No note. Bound to be a great drink for the price.
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
Domaine Long-Depaquit Chablis from the Stellar 2010 Vintage
The History of Domaine Long-Depaquit from A Guide to the Wines of Chablis by Austen Biss (highly recommended) The French revolution hit Chablis at a time when a certain Jean Depaquy was the Abbot of Pontigny and his brother Simon Depaquy was public prosecutor. ln 1790, both of them retired from public life 'for their health' - a wise decision. Simon retired to Chablis and on 3 1st March 1791 at the sale of National assets confiscated by the new Revolutionary Assembly bought the vines of the Abbey which included the famous 'Moutonne en Vaudesirs'. Simon's son, Benjamin, had no children, but adopted a nephew Francois Auguste Long, thus creating the new family name of Long-Depaquit. ln 1927 Louis, son of Francois and blind since the age of 25 due to a car crash, sold the property that Simon Depaquy had built, a fine house on the outskirts of Chablis, and acquired the eighteenth century chateau situated on the Route d'Auxerre. This is today the Chateau Long-Depaquit with its 15,000 square metres, its park and its cellars. Louis died without issue in 1967 at the age of 77. His legacy was a vignoble in excess of 10 hectares of the best crus in Chablis, and it was at this time that the Bichot family from Beaune who had moved into Chablis, took an interest in the domaine. It was not until 1970 that the acquisition was completed, and two years later with the arrival of GĂŠrard Vullien as RĂŠgisseur, Bichot decided that the estate should be run completely autonomously. After which there started a long period of development, the estate growing to its present size of 62 hectares by 1987. This development was rightly accompanied by improvements and new additions to the buildings including the restoration of the chateau in 1975 and the construction of a new chai in 1991. Vullien retired in 2002 and consequently attitudes changed at top level in the Bichot board room.
Gérard Vullien's reign at the helm can be described as the Golden years. He was succeeded by Jean-Didier Basch who was responsible for the 2004, 2005 and 2006 vintages. The new regisseur is Matthieu Mangenot, a competent young vigneron, and things are on the up and up again. One of Basch's innovations completed by Matthieu was the introduction to the vineyards of Fils Chauffants to combat two irritating worms called Eudemis and Cochylis that feed off the grapes causing significant damage. This electrical system causes "sexual confusion" in the worms, and destroys their ability to reproduce. The domaine is very particular in its practices today. The grapes are hand picked in the Grand Crus and Premier Cru Montée de Tonnerre and part mechanically for the Chablis Village. Vinification and élevage are in stainless steel vats, almost 100%, with strict temperature control. Included in the domaine is a small but revered Grand Cru Monopole named La Moutonne with an area of 2.35 hectares. La Moutonne is situated at the heart of the amphitheatre which forms the valley of Vaudesir, straddling both the Grand Crus of Vaudesir and Les Preuses, its steep slope and Kimmeridgian outcrops protected from the cold north wind. We are delighted to offer a super range of Grand Crus and serious Premier Crus from the stellar 2010 vintage.
Burghound on 2010 Chablis “After taking a short break with the very ripe yet satisfying 2009 vintage, we’re back to a 2007 and 2008 style vintage of classic proportions and transparency. If you love classic but ripe Chablis, then 2010 is your kind of vintage.” “Moreover, one of the things that I love about all three vintages (2004, 2007 and 2010) is that if tasted blind, it would be almost impossible to mistake the wines for those from any other wine region in the world, that’s just how striking the best wines are.” “What I like best about the ‘10s is their verve and freshness and, at least when the aromas do not exhibit exotic nuances, their absolute fidelity to the underlying terroir. A Les Clos tastes like a Les Clos and not a Preuses nor a Valmur. In sum, the transparency of the ‘10s is remarkable and is almost as good as it is with 2007 or 2004.”
And on 2010 Long-Depaquit Chablis.... “As to the wines, they are true classics and the terroir of each climat is very much in the forefront. They have this sensation of excellent concentration as well as volume and then there is this flash of acidity that makes them seem perfectly well-balanced. They should age effortlessly.” As to the now in-bottle ‘09s, as the scores and commentaries bear out, they are impressive and should be on your list of wines to consider if you like the style of the vintage.
Don’t miss the opportunity to buy at our Pre Arrival prices. They represent a 15% savings on normal prices. Wines will be shipped late April 2012.
2010 Chablis 1er Cru Vaucopins Usual Price $53.00 Pre-Arrival Price $45.00 "Les Vaucopins" is a premier cru which is quite unique within the wide range of the Long-Depaquit Estate wines. Located on the right bank of the Serein river, this plot of vineyard is on the Chichée commune, 3 kilometres east of Chablis. They are lucky enough to possess a remarkable 4.8 ha parcel of vineyard from a total of 40 hectares of the Vaucopins appellation (or Vaucoupins as it is often found spelt). Raised in less than 15% oak. Its terroir has an uncanny resemblance to the grand crus: south exposure, pronounced slopes (which require all work by hand) and numerous Kimmeridgian outcrops. Consequently, the subsoil provides a very specific character of expression to these wines. Burghound: An exuberantly fresh, pure and refined nose of lemon, mineral reduction and oyster shell nuances precedes precise and impressively intense middle weight flavors that ooze a fine minerality on the very dry, austere and long finish. This is a textbook Vaucoupin of subtlety and finesse where the restrained and understated style makes the underlying quality almost easy to miss. A Sweet Spot Wine. 90-92 Points. Drink: 2015+ Tanzer: Green-tinged yellow. Expressive nose melds lemon-lime, ginger, minerals and cold steel. Dense, ripe and concentrated, with lovely density and a fine-grained texture given shape by harmonious acidity. This really perfumes the mouth and lingers impressively on the tactile finish. A very strong premier cru in the making. 91 Points
2010 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Usual Price $53.00 Pre-Arrival Price $45.00 Vaillons lies between two valleys with slopes of varying orientation and steepness. The wines is typically spicy with a flint character. Over time it develops honey, butter, almonds, and some say truffle characters. Domaine Long-Depaquit own 4 ha in the climat of Les Epinotts. Always a favourite as this wine displays very classic Chablis character with lovely minerality and freshness.Only 10% oak. Burghound: A pungent and expressive nose of white flowers, citrus and algae hints gives way to precise and mineraldriven flavors that display really lovely balance on the intense, sappy and energetic finish. This is quite dry and I very much admire the underlying tension. A Sweet Spot Wine. 90-92 Points. Drink: 2015+
2010 Chablis Bougros Grand Cru Usual Price $79.00 Pre-Arrival Price $67.00 Enjoying good south-western exposure under the rays of the afternoon sun, Long-Depaquit’s Grand Cru Bougros vineyard, the westernmost of the Grand Crus, has an above-average planting density of 8,000 vines/ha. This encourages competition between the vine stocks and forces their roots to go further down into the earth (up to 10 metres). It also helps limit yields to approximately 45 hl/ha. The end result is very expressive wines from an exceptional terroir. The clay-limestone soil contains a higher proportion of clay than in other Grand Crus, meaning it retains water better, and yields expressive, structured wines with good ageing potential. Bougros is an interesting wine as it is aged in 30% oak. The style of wine in 2010 and also in 2008 is very white Burgundy. It is a very interesting wine. Burghound: No note
2010 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru Usual Price $89.00 Pre-Arrival Price $76.00 Les Preuses enjoys an excellent south facing orientation and has very steep, and consequently well drained slopes. The wines tend to be earlier drinkers than some of the other Grand Crus. A richer fuller style. If you like more richness and flesh this wine will suit. But if you like minerality the following Grand Crus will excite more. Burghound: no note
2010 Chablis Les Blanchots Grand Cru Usual Price $89.00 Pre-Arrival Price $76.00 Located on the extreme east side of Chablis, Les Blanchots is a parcel of vineyard quite unique among the Chablis Grands Crus. Its clay and limestone soil together with the presence of ferrous clay and predominant morning sunlight give "Les Blanchots" a very distinctive and dominating floral character with remarkable finesse. It is the last vineyard parcel to be harvested by Long-Depaquit. With an East South-east exposure, this strongly-steeped parcel of vineyard is particular in that the sun does not reach it as from mid-afternoon. Its clay and limestone soil originating from upper Jurassic sedimentary strata (Kimmeridgian) make this a rather special and fragile terroir. Old vines produce a very classic Chablis. Very racy and elegant with citrus notes. Super! Austen Biss: Blanchot...is the smallest of the Grand Crus and produces a wine of elegance and finesse, intensely perfumed spring flowers, and with lovely fruit. Burghound: A gentle touch of wood frames ripe aromas of smoke, orange and tangerine peel, mineral reduction and algae. There is fine richness to the relatively full-bodied flavors that possess excellent volume yet solid precision and ample minerality on the delicious and textured finish that delivers impressive length. 91-93 Points Drink: 2017+ The World of Fine Wine: This, the smallest grand cru, was the star of the Long-Depaquit line and the latest to be picked. Splendidly precise, delicate and fragrant. The mix of white flowers and calcaire finesse on the nose is matched by ripe fruitiness and uplifting but not aggressive acidity. Exquisite.18 Points
2010 Chablis Les Vaudesirs Grand Cru Usual Price $89.00 Pre-Arrival Price $76.00 Vaudesirs is on the heart of the Grand Cru section. It enjoys a similar excellent slope and orientation to Les Preuses. The wines are floral with spicy fruit that develops nutty characteristics with time. The wines can be drunk young, but they also age gracefully and beautifully. Austen Biss asks “Is this the best Grand Cru. Possibly�. Not everyone gravitates to Les Clos!
Domaine Long-Depaquit have about 2.6 ha with vines over 40 years of age. The steep slopes require a winch to pull the plough through the vineyards. Burghound: Here there is enough wood to be noticeable but not intrusive as it sets off ripe white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that are nuanced by hints of citrus, smoke and sea breeze. This is a powerful wine with plenty of chewy dry extract on the tension-filled large-scaled flavors that deliver excellent length. This is more elegant than usual and should offer upside development potential up to a decade. 91-93 Points Drink: 2014+ The World of Fine Wine: Very clean nose, elegant body, ripe finish; tru to type. 17 Points
2010 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru Usual Price $98.00 Pre-Arrival Price $84.00 The best known and most loved wine of Chablis. It is the largest of the Grand Crus and the epitome of Grand Cru Chablis. The wine is powerful, yet gentle with great depth and appeal. It is mineral and full and capable of extended cellaring. Long-Depaquit own two parcels, one mid slope, the other at the top, totalling about 2.5 ha. The wine mid slope provides more richness, the top more acidity. The two plots are blended. A stunning rich and mineral Le Clos in 2010. Eats up the eat with ease. Burghound: Despite the slightly more elevated percentage of new wood, its presence is actually less evident as the elegant and pure white flower, lemon, stone and tidal pool aromas shine through brilliantly. Like the VaudĂŠsir, this possesses exceptionally rich, overtly powerful and imposing big-bodied flavors that despite the impressive size and weight, retain a fine sense of precision and detail on the linear and explosive finish. This should also deliver up to a decade's worth of upside development potential. 91-94 Points Drink: 2017+
2010 Chablis La Moutonne Grand Cru MONOPOLE Usual Price $135.00 Pre-Arrival Price $115.00 La Moutonne is a very steep area situated in Vaudesir and Preuses (95% in Vaudesir). It is a monopole of Domaine Long-Depaquit who farm the 2.34 ha and bottle it as their flagship Chablis. With a Southsoutheast exposure, its pronounced central slope (almost 40%) protects this vineyard from north winds. The soil is soft and crumbly with a rather pale colour. Great care is taken to deal with winter freezing in this vineyard, in the most durable way from an ecological aspect. An installation of heated electric wires allows the prevention of spring frost in an innovative and environmentally-friendly manner. Burghound: Nuances of wood toast intertwine with ripe notes of lemon, lime, stone and oyster shell that precede equally powerful, serious and large-scaled flavors whose focus and precision is assured via a firm acid spine on the energetic and palate staining finish where the wood influence reappears. However, there is so much dry extract that this shouldn't have any particular difficulty in successfully integrating it over time. The best of these 2010s. 92-94 Points Drink: 2018+ The World of Fine Wine: A quieter, less pretty wine than the Blanchots, but unmistakably Chablis of high calibre. Pure and racy, yet with a gentle mouthfeel; its discreet fruit profile makes it a fine pairing with roasted turbot.
Domaine Long-Depaquit 2010 8-Bottle Tasting Pack Comprises 1 bottle of each of the eight wines. Taste through the range!
Usual Price $685.00 Pre-Arrival Price $584.00
2008’s Available in Small Quantities A great opportunity to compare two classic vintages!
2008 Chablis 1er Cru Vaucopins In Stock $53.00 Burghound: Noticeable if not invasive wood frames the layered, pure and stylish high-toned aromas of sea water, iodine and white fruits that merge into round and rich flavors that are perhaps not quite as obviously concentrated, all wrapped in a persistent and bone dry finish of solid intensity and balance. A Sweet Spot Wine. 91 Points. Drink: 2014+ Tanzer: (this vintage brought a small crop from these 35-year-old vines planted on a steep slope) Pale yellow. Pure, expressive aromas of ripe yellow fruits, spices, hazelnut and honey. A step up in texture over the foregoing 2008s, offering fat, sweet flavors of stone fruits and spices with a biscuity nuance. Nicely enrobed oak element here. Finishes broad, sweet and long. This can be enjoyed now but should show deeper apricot, quince and honeyed notes with a few years of additional bottle aging. 91 Points
2008 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons In Stock $53.00 Burghound: A very subtle hint of oak sets off notes of spice, white orchard fruit, acacia and tidal pool notes that are also picked up by the rich and full mineral-infused flavors that possess good volume on the almost painfully intense, tangy and punchy finish. This is relatively open and highly complex already and should be approachable young but age beautifully. In short, this is a knockout. A Sweet Spot Wine. 92 Points. Drink: 2014+ Austen Biss: Prominent mineral and fruit nose echoed on the palate by luscious sweet fruit and loads of fabulous flavours rapidly changing from apricots to peach to citrus fruit, long aftertaste, intense, depth and even richness, delicious tongue curling acidity, complex even at this stage really really gorgeous. For drinking for 2011. Excellent (his highest rating)
2008 Chablis Bougros Grand Cru In Stock $79.00 Burghound: No note David Schildknecht erobertparker.com: Vinified entirely in barrels of mixed ages, the Long-Depaquit 2008 Chablis Bougros succeeds in integrating its oak element much more successfully than did the corresponding Le Clos (30% of which had been aged in barriques). Yellow plum, white currant, and grapefruit in the nose are suffused with salt and chalk on a subtly, ingratiatingly creamy palate yet the wine doesn’t lack brightness or refreshment. Slightly toasty, smoky, and spicy notes from barrel complement the fruit and mineral in a persistent finish. I would expect to follow this with fascination for at least 6-8 years. 91 Points
2008 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru In Stock $89.00 Burghound: no note David Schildknecht erobertparker.com: Long-Depaquit’s 2008 Chablis Preuses displays a warmer, richer personality than their other grand crus of the vintage, offering a site-typically elusive and alluring sense of savory scallop as well as salt, iodine, and alkali. Lusciously juicy mixed citrus offers a perfect medium for the mineral mysteries to present themselves, along with fruit pit bitterness on a waxen-textured palate. The youthfulness of vines may partly be betrayed in a finish whose bitter element tends to dominate; still, one can’t argue with this wine’s intrigue or its sheer persistence, and there is a certain sense of levity that I miss in its stable mates. I would anticipate following it for 6-8 years. 90 Points
2008 Chablis Les Blanchots Grand Cru In Stock $89.00 Burghound: A wonderfully elegant and refined nose that displays airy and pure aromas of lemon zest, white flower and wet stone that are trimmed in a discreet application of wood before being followed by intense and chiseled flavors that are beautifully concentrated and blessed with excellent dry extract levels on the sappy, balanced and tension-filled finish. This is an exercise in purity and is really quite impressive. 93 Points Drink: 2014+ Tanzer: Knockout nose combines apricot, smoke, marzipan and sweet nuts. Fat, supple and sweet, with a surprisingly open-knit feel to its sweet yellow fruit and almond flavors. In spite of its firm acidity this seems easier to taste today than the young 2009. Finishes broad, lush and long, with an almost exotic nutty quality and very good palate coverage. 92 Points Austen Biss: Super concentrated, tongue curling acidity showing that we are in for the long haul, softening up on the go, wall flowers and hyacinths, soft fruits. This will be a wine of supreme elegance, long and rich. Powerful mouthful and delicious. Drink from 2015 for many a year. Excellent
2008 Chablis Les Vaudesirs Grand Cru In Stock $89.00 Burghound: A ripe, cool and pure nose of wet stone, sea water, oyster shell and floral aromas is also set off by enough wood to be visible. The dense, serious and concentrated medium plus weight flavors are blessed with fine mid-palate fat and plenty of extract that buffers the firm acid spine on the attractively persistent and linear finish. This is certainly very good but it lacks the same level of complexity as the best of these grands crus. 92 Points Drink: 2014+ Tanzer: A ripe, cool and pure nose of wet stone, sea water, oyster shell and floral aromas is also set off by enough wood to be visible. The dense, serious and concentrated medium plus weight flavors are blessed with fine mid-palate fat and plenty of extract that buffers the firm acid spine on the attractively persistent and linear finish. This is certainly very good but it lacks the same level of complexity as the best of these grands crus. 91 Points
2008 Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru In Stock $98.00 Burghound: Here the wood treatment is a bit more obvious, highlighting very fresh floral aromas nuanced by iodine and tidal pool notes that can also be found on the rich, full and relatively powerful sleekly muscled flavors underpinned by almost aggressive minerality on the textured, tension-filled and hugely long finish. Like the '09 version, this isn't especially refined but the intensity is really something. 93 Points Drink: 2014+
2008 Chablis La Moutonne Grand Cru MONOPOLE In Stock $135.00 Burghound: A discreet hint of pain grillĂŠ does not significantly interfere with the clear expression of the lemon, floral and quinine aromas that precede textured, concentrated and attractively fresh and impressively scaled flavors that possess a seductive mouth feel on the precise, tangy and very powerful finish. A potential knock-out as the underlying material is most impressive and overall, this is the most complete wine in the range. 94 Points Drink: 2015+ Tanzer: Knockout nose combines citrus and stone fruits, nutmeats, white truffle and a suggestion of grilled oak. Silky, broad, ripe and rich; this really envelops the palate in sheer sappy extract. Wonderfully sweet and elegant wine with superb volume and length. The suave finish features terrific lift. These very old vines always give a yield in the low 35 hectoliters-per-hectare range, noted Mangenot. I'd give this at least a few years in the cellar before pulling the cork. 93 Points Austen Biss: The intensity and length here are amazing as are the concentrated fruit and brilliantly balanced acidity. The elegance is already showing through. This will be a great wine. Probably drinking from 2015 for many years. Excellent
Domaine Tour Saint Michel Value Chateauneuf-du-Pape "If you haven’t caught on to Tour St.-Michel, it’s about time, as this is a major up-and-coming estate.” “There are three
cuvees, all of them brilliant in both 2009 and 2010.’ Robert Parker Domaine Tour Saint Michel was founded in 1930 by Michel Fabre. Since 2002 the domaine has been run by Mireille Fabre, the third generation of the family. Mireille is also in charge of winemaking, a rather unusual situation in Chateauneuf-du-Pape where there are very few female winemakers. The winery, marked by the tower that gives the domaine its name, and its vineyards are in the south of the appellation. They have 35ha of red vines and 1.5 ha of white, primarily in Les Gallimardes and Les Serres where the soil is clay with gravel subsoil, and is covered with large stones. The red vineyards are planted 80% with Grenache and the average vine age is over 40 years. They also have a small parcel (5ha) of Cotes-du-Rhone. Apart from the fact the wines are made by a female winemaker what attracted me to this domaine was the restrained style of the wines - they are not big over the top, high alcohol productions - and the very reasonable prices, even for the prestige cuvee. The domaine also fill our requirement of being a relative unknown, up and coming producer. In addition to the current 2010 vintage we have been offered a range of wines from the outstanding 2007 and 2009 vintages. The wines are not big, modern versions of Chateaneuf-du-Pape. They are old-fashioned in the best way, relying on terroir, rather than alcohol and oak. If there is such a thing as stylish Chateauneuf-du-Pape this is it!
Special Introductory Offer until 4 May 2012. Buy and pay for a Case or More of these Wines and we’ll give you an extra 10% off the listed Pre Arrival Prices! You can mix and match the wines you want.
Robert Parker on Tour Saint Michel Tour St.-Michel has been around since 1930. Over the last four or five years that they have been winning accolades at various wine judgings in France, and have garnered considerable attention for the quality of their wines. Once more, this is an estate with two women in charge, primarily the owner, Elaine Fabre, but her daughter Mireille has been the winemaker, and the one responsible for the brilliant wines that have emerged. If you haven’t caught on to Tour St.-Michel, it’s about time, as this is a major up-and-coming estate. They have nearly 90 acres of vines, virtually all of them situated in the very southern, lower sectors of Chateauneuf du Pape, primarily the two principal vineyard sites called Les Gallimardes (Giraud makes a sensational wine from this parcel) and Les Grandes Serres, which is adjacent to Domaine St.-Prefert. This is mostly gravel, sandy and clay soils, with some large galets roules (big stones). There are three cuvees, all of them brilliant in both 2009 and 2010. In 2010 the wines are slightly denser in color across the board, perhaps a touch more powerful, yet with precision, purity, and overall equilibrium. They are going to be less accessible in their youth, but still attractive and potentially even longer-lived than the outstanding trilogy in 2009.
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs Normal Price $52.00 Pre Arrival Price $44.00 The domaine’s entry level Chateauneuf. A blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. Robert Parker: The deep ruby/purple-colored 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs (same blend) has loads of roasted Provencal herbs, sweet black cherry, black currants and black raspberries, beautiful purity, full-bodied texture and a long finish. It will be drinkable for 10-15 years when released next year. 90-93 Points Stephen Tanzer: Vivid ruby. Intensely perfumed nose displays red berry preserves, lavender, incense and candied licorice. Juicy and sweet in the mouth, with a silky touch to its vibrant raspberry and floral pastille flavors. Youthfully fruity wine, with bright acidity contributing lift and bite to the long, spicy finish. 90-92 Points The Rhone Report: Possibly outstanding but playing in the same range and style as the ’09, the 2010 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée des Deux Soeurs, 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah that’s aged 100% in concrete, delivers a peppery, spice, and leather- driven bouquet, with fleshy black currant and assorted dark fruits rounding things out. Medium-bodied and mid-weight, with beautiful purity of fruit, juicy acidity, and a round, supple feel, this feels softer than the ’09, and should be at its best in the first 5-8 years after the vintage. 88-90 Points Drink Rhone, John Livingston-Learmonth: quite a full red; broad, herbal, cassis fruit air, Grenache sunshine in the glass – a very young and innocent nose that has rosemary and black raisin airs in it as well. The palate reflects the nose – there is a chubby fat in the wine, an extended, capacious roundness. This leads into a pocket of crinkly tannins that have bite, an ashen nature for now. This is well led by its ripe fruit appeal, is authentic wine. From late 2013, but its youthful energy forms part of its appeal. It has a ghostly nature to some extent, an escapist side, is interesting wine. ***(*)
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Tour du Lion Normal Price $66.00 Pre Arrival Price $56.00 This cuvee comes from older vines and is typically a blend of 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 5% Mourvedre and Cinsault. Vine age is 50+ years. Grapes are destemmed and the wine is aged in a mix of foudres, tanks and barrels. I like this cuvee very much. Robert Parker: Even more powerful, with denser fruit, is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape La Tour du Lion. Sumptuous, full-bodied, and opulent, with impressive fruit purity in its notes of blackberry, black raspberry and black cherry intermixed with hints of pen ink, incense and forest floor, it’s a beauty and again very Provencal. It should drink nicely for up to 15 or more years. 91-93+ Points Stephen Tanzer: Vivid ruby. Youthfully brooding aromas of blackberry and cherry, with notes of licorice and
cracked pepper adding complexity. Sappy, penetrating dark fruit flavors gain in energy and sweetness with air. Finishes a bit clenched, with echoing notes of licorice and cherry. 89-91 Points The Rhone Report: Seemingly softer and lacking the rich core of the ’09, the 2010 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Châteauneuf-duPape La Cuvée du Lion, the same blend and elevage as the ’09, is a beautifully fruited, medium-bodied Châteauneuf-du-Pape that has loads of cherry and black currant, licorice, loamy earth, and minerality, as well as a fleshy, rounded texture, and fine tannin on the finish. It will be interesting to see how this shows from bottle, but it should be a borderline outstanding wine with a minimum of 7-8 years or prime drinking. 89-92 Points Jancis Robinson: Lustrous dark crimson. Very ripe but with some sweetness and real tension. Very full and plush and exotic. But not heavy nor too sweet and the alcohol is wonderfully well carried. In fact the wine is almost cool on the finish. This is lovely; the tannins are well hidden but definitely present. Mainly ripe fruit but lots of spice and an attractive edge of tarriness. 18.5 Points Drink Rhone, John Livingston-Learmonth: (vat/casks) quite a dark red with purple top tints. Has a Grenache plum and redcurrant jelly air, with spice present, also rosemary – an inviting, true bouquet. Sleek, refined, polished Grenache fruit extends most of the way along the palate; it stops a beat or two short of the line, but is balanced. It can evolve gently, become aromatic and supple, especially from 2014. ****
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Feminessance Normal Price $85.00 Pre Arrival Price $72.00 The Domaine’s prestige cuvee. From vines 60 years plus of age. 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah. Partly destemmed. Aged for 12 months in small oak barrels, of which a portion are new. For a prestige cuvee this is a bargain! Robert Parker: The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Feminessance is extraordinary. Opaque ruby/purple, with a beautiful nose of lavender and blackberry liqueur as well as hints of white chocolate, espresso roast, raspberries and kirsch, its multi-layered mouthfeel, stunning purity and long finish suggest a wine that has 15 or more years in it. 92-95 Points Stephen Tanzer: Full ruby. Exotic, oak-spiced aromas of candied red and dark berries and potpourri. Lush, expansive and juicy, offering powerful raspberry and cherry-vanilla flavors that stain the palate and become spicier on the back end. Very rich but graceful as well, finishing with impressive thrust and lingering sweetness. 91-93 Points Drink Rhone, John Livingston-Learmonth: dark robe, legs. Crunchy, dark raisin air, the nose has a chocolate depth. Its black berry fruit is sustained, but there is a sense of the cellar being imposed here. The palate is wide, muscled, assertive, with oak in its gummy late stages. Still raw goods, and a touch mainstream. There is the tautness of extraction present. ***(*)
2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs Normal Price $52.00 Pre Arrival Price $44.00 A great year in Chateauneuf! Gold Medal winner at the Concours des Vins 2010 a Orange. Silver Medal winner at Concours des Vins de Macon 2010 and Concours General Agricole de Paris 2011. Robert Parker: The 2009 Cuvee des Deux Soeurs (80% Grenache and the rest mostly Syrah, with Mourvedre and Cinsault) is aged in tank and foudre. This 2009 has black raspberry and black cherry fruit as well as hints of truffle, forest floor and licorice. With a wonderfully deep, full-bodied texture, opulent richness and admirable purity in an undeniably endearing, silky style, this wine should drink beautifully for at least a decade. 91 Points Stephen Tanzer: Vivid ruby. Powerful aromas of ripe dark berries and cherry-cola are complicated by notes of dried flowers and licorice. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering ripe black and blue fruit flavors and a hint of bitter cherry pit. Gains sweetness with air and finishes with very good clarity and chewy persistence. For a rich wine this possesses good balance. 90-92 Points
Wine Spectator: A solid, gutsy style, with mouthfilling plum, raisin and blackberry flavors all backed by ample spice and licorice notes. A light raisiny edge hangs on the finish, but there's good flesh. Drink now through 2017. 90 Points The Rhone Report: A traditional Châteauneuf-du-Pape that’s a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah that’s aged 90% in cement, and 10% in barrel, the 2009 Cuvée des Deux Soeurs exhibits loads of spice cake, wild herbs, red currants, and mineral aromas, medium body, juicy acidity, and solid length. This improves in the glass and picks up a deeper, richer profile, as well as more notable structure. It’s delicious now, but could also be cellared for 5-8 years. 89 Points Drink Rhone, John Livingston-Learmonth: typical Grenache red colour; supple cherry fruit air, has a sustained purity. Sweet, lateral, fat debut on the palate. Typical Châteauneuf, STGT wine, has the vintage fat, and ends on flint, menthol, a good sign-off. Good balance. ****(*) Decanter Magazine: Fresh, clean nose. Soft tannins, delicate use of oak and soft ripe fruit, with a floral uplift and refreshing acidity. Has delicious complexity and clarity of fruit with fabulous balance. Poised and elegant. Drink: 2012–2020. Alc: 15%. ***** 18.88/20 (huge!)
2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Tour du Lion Normal Price $66.00 Pre Arrival Price $56.00 Gold Medal winner at Concours des Vins de Macon 2010. Robert Parker: The 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape La Tour du Lion is 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre and Cinsault, but aged in a combination of foudres, stainless steel tanks and small barrels. The essence of Provence, it smells of an open-air Provencal marketplace, with lavender, spice box, pepper, licorice and gobs of strawberry and black cherry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, silky and supple, with fullbodied texture and a long, long finish, like its sibling, the Deux Soeurs, it is a very attractive wine to drink within its next decade of life. 92 Points Wine Spectator: A sleek, fruit-driven style, with enticing raspberry and blackberry pâte de fruit notes, followed by more licorice and sweet spice. Nice heft through the finish should provide good mid-term cellaring, but this stays polished and accessible now as well. Drink now through 2019. 91 Points The Rhone Report: The 2009 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Cuvée du Lion is a blend of 75% Grenache and 20% Syrah, with the balance a splash of Mourvèdre and Cinsault, that’s aged 30% in barrels and the rest in concrete. A vibrant ruby/purple color, with a finesse- driven style and gorgeous aromas of red currants, spice, red licorice, and hints of leather, this medium to full-bodied Châteauneuf-du-Pape has a seamless, polished feel, brilliant concentration, ultra fine tannin, and a long, classically styled finish. Pure, rich, and with loads of polish and character, this beauty should drink brilliantly for 10-12+ years. 92 Points Drink Rhone, John Livingston-Learmonth: three-quarter depth red; smoky, red berry, bosky air, red fruits prevail. Easy, supple start to the palate; this does not have any great dash, but the fruit is supple, flexy, and it drinks easily. A wine of shorter horizon than most, with the Grenache fully expressed. The length is sound. Gives a touch of late tannin tang. *** Decanter Magazine: Smoke and red berry aroma. Elegant aromatic style with freshness and lovely, fresh-picked redcurrant, ginger and spice notes. Integrated and long with attractive, well-expressed Grenache flavours. **** 17/20
2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Feminessance Normal Price $85.00 Pre Arrival Price $72.00 Gold Medal winner at Concours de Lyon 2011. Robert Parker: The sensational 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Feminessance, which is 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah aged in small oak, has the densest opaque color of all three cuvees. This wine has fabulous fruit concentration and comes across as a wonderful segue way between the traditional and the modern styles of Chateauneuf du Pape. Full-bodied, pure and certainly a star of the vintage, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for up to 12-15+ years. It is a brilliant achievement in 2009, and I kept going back to the glass for another whiff of the kirsch and black raspberry notes. 94 Points Wine Spectator: Lush and pure, with a creamy edge to the densely packed core of cassis, black cherry and plum sauce flavors, all backed by alluring chocolate and tobacco notes that are seamlessly woven on the finish. Modern and lush, but ample grip hangs on the very end too. Best from 2012 through 2022. 93 Points The Rhone Report: Totally brilliant and up there with the best of the vintage, the 2009 Domaine Tour SaintMichel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Feminessence is a 100% barrels aged (some new) partially destemmed blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah. Modern styled and showing plenty of classy oak, yet with awesome purity of fruit and no shortage of finesse, this delivers gorgeous aromas of sweet garrigue, crushed flowers, graphite, creamy licorice, and white chocolate that’s supported by crème de cassis and raspberry styled aromas on the nose. This leads to a medium to full-bodied, gorgeously textured, yet elegant Châteauneuf-du-Pape that’s loaded with sweet fruit, has fantastic freshness, and a very long, borderline hedonistic finish. I’m a huge fan and this beauty should drink well for 10-15 years. 94 Points Drink Rhone, John Livingston-Learmonth: dark robe; raisin, soaked black cherries and mulberry fruit airs – this is a sturdy, thorough bouquet that promises well. The attack is rich, endowed, the wine is fleshy and has a silken texture, is all smooth and ripe including its tannins. Close to ready. ***(*) Decanter Magazine: Sweet cake, sultana, cinnamon, clove, vanilla oak and mulberry bouquet. A rich palate with an endowed fleshy attack and a silky texture. Deliciously sweet fruit, complex minerality and integrated alcohol.. **** 17.7/20
2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs Normal Price $52.00 Pre Arrival Price $44.00 Another legendary year in Chateauneuf! Robert Parker: The most traditional offering, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs is a blend of 80% Grenache and the rest mostly Mourvedre and Cinsault. Its dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by copious aromas of spice box, Christmas fruitcake, wood smoke, lavender, black cherries, and black currants. This big, bold, exuberant, attention-grabbing wine should drink well for a decade or more. 90 Points Wine Spectator: Juicy and forward, with a slightly fluid edge to the blackberry, currant and fig fruit flavors that are backed by tobacco and tar hints on the juicy, open-knit finish. Drink now through 2015. 90 Points The Rhone Report: A blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Syrah and a dash of Cinsault and Mourvèdre, the 2007 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Cuvée des Deux Soeurs has a deep purple, semi-opaque color, with Grenache and mineral dominated aromatics. Black cherry, crushed berries, minerals and violet aromas and flavors carry into a medium bodied, silky, elegant palate that fleshes out beautifully on the finish. Very approachable and soft, this improved with air and was still quite elegant on the second day. Drink these over the next 5 to 8 years. 90 Points
2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Tour du Lion Normal Price $66.00 Pre Arrival Price $56.00 Gold Medal winner at Decanter Awards 2009 and Selections mondiales des vins Canada 2008. Robert Parker: The outstanding 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape La Tour du Lion (75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre and Cinsault from 50+-year-old vines) reveals some oak, but that component is nicely masked by the wine’s deep black currant, black cherry, licorice, smoke, and roasted herb characteristics. This beautifully dense, pure, exuberant 2007 displays an impressive integration of acidity, tannin, and alcohol. It should drink nicely for 12-15 years. 92 Points The Rhone Report: Showing lots of ripe berry fruit aromatics mixed with flowers, blood, minerals, earth and leather, the 2007 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel la Tour du Lion Châteauneuf-du-Pape offers up a mouthful of ripe, sweet fruit in an upfront, hedonistic style. It’s a tad heavier than the Deux Soeurs with noticeable tannic structure. I’d opt for drinking these over the next 5 to 8 years. 89 Points Stephen Tanzer: Saturated ruby. Exotic, expansive bouquet of black raspberry and cherry liqueur, potpourri and spicecake. Lush and creamy in texture, offering sweet red fruit flavors that gain power with air and take a turn to boysenberry on the back. Seamless, alluring and on the jammy side, finishing with very good punch and lingering sweetness. This could be drunk without guilt now. 90 Points
2007 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Feminessance Normal Price $85.00 Pre Arrival Price $72.00 Gold Medal winner at Concours des Vins de Macon 2009. Robert Parker: The only one of these three intriguing wines about which I have a slight reservation is the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Feminessance. As was the case last year, it exhibits a huge amount of new oak along with loads of black fruits, chocolate, and espresso roast, characteristics not often found in Chateauneuf du Pape. A blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah, it needs another 1-2 years to absorb the oak, and should evolve for 12-15 years. 90+ Points Wine Spectator: Dark and rich, with a large but remarkably pure core of dark fig, black currant and blackberry fruit all held together by hints of loam, graphite and Turkish coffee. Charred mesquite and bittersweet ganache notes fill out the broad finish, where the structure is well-embedded. Best from 2010 through 2027. 250 cases made. 93 Points The Rhone Report: The 2007 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Châteauneuf-du-Pape Feminessence is a blend of 75% Grenache and 25% Syrah that sees 12 months in oak barrels, a portion of which are new. On the first night, the wine’s stint in oak certainly showed - this is a case where I’d love to have an aged example of the wine to have a better understanding of how it will evolve. While there was impressive, rich blackberry and cassis fruit with solid underlying minerality, the wine was nearly dominated by the oak with gobs of smoke, graphite and toast aromas. Notwithstanding this, the quality and purity of the fruit pushes through. In the mouth, it’s medium bodied with an elegant, silky texture, vibrant acidity, pure fruit and a long, edgy finish. By the second day, the wine had filled out beautifully; I’m certainly more comfortable with the wine given the first night’s showing. While I don’t recommend this to anyone that has an aversion to oak, I think pretty highly of it and believe it could blossom into something special with 2 to 3 years in bottle. 92+ Points Decanter Magazine: Sweet cake, sultana, cinnamon, clove, vanilla oak and mulberry bouquet. A rich palate with an endowed fleshy attack and a silky texture. Deliciously sweet fruit, complex minerality and integrated alcohol. **** 17.7/20
2011 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs BLANC Normal Price $49.50 Pre Arrival Price $42.00 The domaine makes a single Rhone white grapes. It is a blend of 50% Grenache Blanc and 50% Clairette from galet stone covered clay-limestone soils. 50% in stainless steel, 50% oak cask fermented. Only 3000 bottles produced. It is too early for any reviews of this new wine.
2010 Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge Normal Price $21.00 Pre Arrival Price $17.95 Tour Saint Michel own 5 ha of vines in the Cotes-du-Rhone. The only note I could find is for the 2009 below. It is hard to imagine this would not be a delicious little wine. And how about the price! The Rhone Report (2009): A textbook Côtes du Rhône that boasts perfumed, complex aromas of cherry blossom, incense, saddle leather, and licorice, the 2009 Domaine Tour Saint-Michel Côtes du Rhône is mediumbodied, silky, and deftly texture on the palate, with beautiful fruit, ripe tannin, and an overall delicious, very well done profile. Delivering everything you would want from a very good Côtes du Rhône, this should be purchased by the case, and consumed over the coming 3-4 years.
2011 Cotes-du-Rhone Rouge Normal Price $21.00 Pre Arrival Price $17.95 Just bottled!
Don’t forget our Special Introductory Offer until 4 May 2012. Buy and pay for a Case or More of these Wines and we’ll give you an extra 10% off the listed Pre Arrival Prices! You can mix and match the wines you want.
Tour Saint Michel 12-Bottle Tasting Pack Too difficult to work out which wines to buy? Or perhaps you would just like to try them all! We offer a 12-Bottle Tasting Pack comprising one bottle of each of the 12 wines in this offer. That is 9 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reds, 1 Chateauneuf-du-Pape White and 2 Cotes-du-Rhone.
Normal Price $700.50 Pre Arrival Price $593.90 Price with our Special Introductory Offer 10% Discount until 4 May 2012 $534.50 These Chateauneufs are great value at our Pre Arrival Prices. Make sure you take advantage of our Special Introductory Offer and save an extra 10%. That makes the Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Deux Soeurs just $39.60 a bottle! There are Cote-du-Rhones that sell at that price!
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
New to our Portfolio Le Clos du Caillou “A candidate for wine of the vintage” Robert Parker on the Clos du Caillou 2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Le Clos du Caillou, a 53 hectare wine estate with Côtes-du-Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellations, is located in Courthézon in the South of France. The property came in possession of the Pouizin family in 1956. Until 1996 the property was run by Claude Pouizin, who until 1993 sold most of his yield to negociants. In 1996 his daughter Sylvie and son-in-law Jean-Denis Vacherons took charge and the quality of the wines from property rapidly rose. In the spring 2002 Jean-Denis Vacherons was killed in a traffic accident. Today Sylvie runs the property with assistance from wine maker Bruno Gaspard and the oenolog Philippe Cambie. The vineyards are certified agriculture biologique from vintage 2010. The next step is for the domaine to become biodynamique. The property has only 9 ha of AOC Chateauneuf-du-Pape, of which 1 ha is planted with white varieties. The domain makes extremely good Cotes du Rhone from 44 ha of Cotes-du-Rhone. The Cotes du Rhone Bouquet des Garrigues comes from fields just outside the border of AOC Chateauneufdu- Pape. The story goes that in the 1930’s, the owner, armed with a hunting rifle, refused to receive experts seeking to delimit the Chateauneufdu-Pape appellation. Thus, Clos du Caillou remains a kind of enclave, with many of the very old vines classified as Cotes-du-Rhone, rather than Chateauneuf-du-Pape, as they would have been! The vineyards are rich in traditional red varieties as Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah and traditional white varieties as Grenache, Roussane, Clairette. These grapes varieties are cultivated on excellent terroir: there is both sandy soil, pebbles and large stones in the different vineyards.
Wine-making often starts with cold maceration. The red wines are aged in large oak casks, oak demi muid, foudres and new barriques for more than a year. The reputation of the estate has risen rapidly since the Sylvie and wine maker Bruno have assumed control. The wines consistently receive tremendous reviews from all the press, both international and French. We are delighted to add this exciting estate to our portfolio and are particularly pleased to start with the exceptional 2010 wines.
2010 Cotes-du-Rhone Bouquet des Garrigues Rouge Usual Price $29.50 Pre-Arrival Price $25.00 The largest production from the domaine. This wines comes from approximately 30 ha of mostly pebbly soil in the climats of Coudelet and Les Garrigues. The vineyards are composed on 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% of mixed Carignan, Mourvedre and Cinsault. Nearly all of the vines are over 50 years old, so this cuvee easily qualifies as Vieilles Vignes, making the price even more exceptional. The soils are worked traditionally, respecting nature: no herbicides or synthetic products, traditional cultivation techniques (décavaillonnage and hoeing), organic amendments. The harvest is manual with sorting in the vineyard, the grapes are taken to the cellar in boxes of 350 kg. A total de-stemming is performed, followed by a cold maceration for 48 hours. The fermentation takes place in temperature controlled concrete vats. The maceration was extended from 24 to 31 days. The wine was then aged in barrels of varying ages for a period of 16 months. Bottling began May 27, 2011. 45,000 bottles produced. Tasting note from the domaine: This wine has a beautiful red dress with hints of crimson cinnabar. We discover a very pretty nose of very ripe fruit, cranberry marshes, scrub of myrtle and wild blackberries. His mouth is creamy, with hints of red fruit kernels, lightly roasted coffee beans, combined with aromas of blackcurrant, raspberry white pepper. The Rhone Report: I was able to taste three separate samples of the 2010 Le Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône Bouquet des Garrigues, all rating between 89 and 92. A rough blend of 85% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre, this should end up being an outstanding Côtes du Rhône that possesses plenty of southern Rhone character with loads of garrigue and spice to go with darker styled fruits, medium to full body, and enough structure to warrant short to mid-term cellaring. From just outside of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, on the northern edge and butting up to Beaucastel’s Coudoulet vineyard, this site is mainly rolled stone and galets soils and has a windswept, slightly cooler climate. 89-91 Points
2010 Cotes-du-Rhone Bouquet des Garrigues Blanc Usual Price $29.50 Pre-Arrival Price $25.00 A blend of 40% Grenache blanc, 30% pink Clairette, 15% Viognier, and 15% Bourboulenc. Manual harvesting was done September 17, 2010. The sorting is done in the vineyard. After a pneumatic pressing of whole grapes, the wine was racked to cold for 36 hours, then fermentation took place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Bottling took place January 14, 2011. (3600 bottles produced).
Tasting note from the domaine: This wine has a lovely pale yellow color with hints of eggshell. We discover the nose, floral aromas of white lilacs, combined with notes of pear, quince liqueur and Comice. The mouth is frank, mineral, with sweetness, aromas of Sabayon white fruit finishing with notes of licorice stick. The Rhone Report: The first vintage to be certified as organic, the 2010 Le Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône Blanc Bouquet des Garrigues is an outstanding blend of 40% Grenache blanc, 30% pink Clairette, 15% Viognier, and 15% Bourboulenc. A rich, elegant white that starts out very crisp and mineral-driven, it fleshes out and gains richness with air, possessing loads of juicy peach, citrus, mineral, and hints of flowers on the nose. Showing its depth and richness more on the palate, with touches of buttered toast and honey, this medium-bodied, full flavored Côtes du Rhône Blanc has an excellent, pure texture, racy acidity, and a clean, focused finish. It should be extremely versatile on the dinner table, and have 2-3 years of prime drinking.. 90 Points
2010 Cotes-du-Rhone Les Quartz Usual Price $42.50 Pre-Arrival Price $36.50 This wine comes from the oldest vines located within the Clos du Caillou. These vineyards would have been Chateauneuf-du-Pape except for the difference of opinion in the 1930’s. The land that makes up the Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz is very close to that of Cassanets. These plots are cultivated in the traditional manner, with low yields (25 hl /ha) and respecting natural farming techniques (plowing, organic amendments, pesticide treatments reduced the use of sulfur and copper only). The soil is mainly composed of pebbles. The grape varieties are 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah. This is a very serious Cotes-du-Rhone! The Rhone Report: The 2010 Le Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône Les Quartz looks to be brilliant Côtes du Rhône. A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah, with the Grenache aged in tank and the Syrah in smaller barrels, it comes from the same galet and Quartz soils as its more prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz sibling. Showing a deep, dense profile that takes some coaxing to get through, this finally gives up beautifully pure fruit characteristics, as well as earthy crushed stone and spice. The quality shows on the palate however, and this possesses a solid balance and structure, as well as plenty of richness and depth. It should most likely drink well on release, but hit its stride with a handful of years in bottle, and have up to a decade or longevity. 91-93 Points Drink Rhone - John Livingston-Learmonth: (barrel/casks, bottling next month) nice full, dark robe; there is an attractive sweep to the nose that is led by black cherry fruit with some mint or menthol cut and notes of dried lands, parched ground. The palate delivers sleek black cherry fruit, notably modern comforts, with fine tannin entering in the late stages. Good harmony here. A sit-down wine of some depth and finesse in its fruit. Comes with dark touches and is long as well spreading out well across the palate. From late 2012. 3 1/2 Stars
2010 Cotes-du-Rhone La Reserve Usual Price $55.95 Pre-Arrival Price $47.50 This wine also comes from the oldest vines located within the Clos du Caillou. The land is very close to that of Bedines and Guigasse, parcels making up the Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve. These plots are cultivated in the traditional manner, with low yields (25 hl / ha) and respecting nature farming techniques (plowing, organic amendments, pesticide treatments reduced the use of sulfur and copper only). The soil is mostly composed of sand. The vineyard comprises 90% Grenache and 10% Mourvèdre. After an exclusively manual harvest and sorting in the vineyard, the grapes are taken to the basement in bins of 300 kg. They are then destemmed. The fermentation and maceration are done in concrete tanks for 30 days, with temperature control, load shedding and
periodic manual punching down. The Rhone Report: No note for the 2010 but he does say of the 2009 “Sporting a deeper, inky color, as well as more upfront, intense fruit, the wine delivers a serious concoction of ripe blackberry, currant, truffle, meaty juice, licorice, and chocolate aromas and flavors that continue to build in the glass. Full-bodied and decadent on the palate, with a brilliant, silky texture, excellent balance, and ripe, fine tannin on the finish, this is a substantial, concentrated Côtes du Rhône that will impress for up to a decade or longer. Don’t let the lowly Côtes du Rhône classification fool you as this is the equal of many a Châteauneuf-du-Pape!”
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres Rouge Usual Price $75.00 Pre-Arrival Price $64.00 Les Safres comes from several parcels of Grenache located around the field at a place called "The Bedines" on a soil composed of sand and safres (sand agglomerates) which gives the wine finesse and flexibility. These plots were planted between 1954 and 1972 and represent 95% of the plantings. Mourvèdre, Vaccarèse, and Cinsault make up the remaining 5%. Grapes are hand picked and sorted in the vineyard. Yields on these old vines do not exceed 28 hl / ha. The vinification is done in concrete vats with a maceration of 28 days. Pigeages daily pumping and allowed to extract the components of the grapes. The Rhone Report: Always a soft, seamless wine, the 100% Grenache 2010 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-duPape Les Safres comes all from sandy soils and displays a full-bodied, decadent profile to go with loads of spicy, licorice-infused fruits, silky tannin, good acidity , and plenty of minerality that shines on the finish. I like the structure here, so it will be interesting to see how this shows from bottle. Odds are that it will be approachable on release and have upwards of a decade of prime drinking. 91-94 Points Robert Parker: Sylvie Vacheron’s 2010s include the marvelous 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Safres. It offers a dark ruby/purple color along with sweet black cherry and black raspberry fruit notes intermixed with smoked herbs, licorice and tobacco leaf. Full-bodied and chewy with good acidity and delineation, it should evolve for 12-15 years. 91-93 Points Stephen Tanzer: Bright ruby. Intensely perfumed aromas of raspberry liqueur, potpourri and allspice are lifted by a white pepper topnote. Bright and precise on the palate, offering juicy red fruit flavors and an exotic floral pastille nuance. Really stains the palate on the long, sweet, seamless finish. This seductive wine will be drinkable on the young side. 91-93 Points
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres Blanc Usual Price $82.00 Pre-Arrival Price $69.50 Les Safres Blanc comes from the localities "The Bédines" and "Pignan" and is produced from a blend of three grape varieties: Grenache, Clairette and Roussanne. The soil consists of sand and safres, which give the wine finesse and elegance. The grapes were harvested by hand on September 2 and 9, 2010, at sunrise in order to maintain the freshness of the night, and were sorted in the vineyard. Pneumatic pressing the "whole bunch" was followed by a cold settling for 48 hours. Alcoholic fermentation took place in old barrels. Bottling took place May 27, 2011. 2400 bottles were produced.
Tasting note from the domaine: This wine has a beautiful yellow color with green tints anthemis. We discover a subtle nose of apricot blossom mixed with hints of elderflower liqueur and licorice stick. The palate is creamy, sweet, pleasant where aromas of old varieties of peaches (Burdin), lychees, with notes of sweet spice infusion. The Rhone Report: Even a richer is the 2010 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Safres. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Roussanne that’s all from sandy soils and aged in older barrels, it possesses a pure, ripe profile with apricot and tropical notes intermixed with toast and touches of lemon rind aromas. and flavors all showing. This medium-bodied, pure, classy white has loads of silky texture, excellent acidity, and a focused, long finish. While there’s solid richness here, it stays beautifully fresh and is a joy to drink. It should be consumed over the coming 3-5 years. 90 Points Stephen Tanzer: (60% roussanne and 20% each of grenache blanc and "regular" clairette, all grown on sandy soils and raised in older barriques): Vivid gold. Pungent aromas of pear skin, melon and beeswax complicated by subtle smokiness and a strong floral quality. Chewy in texture, with deep orchard and pit fruit flavors braced by zesty citrus pith and mineral notes. A note of licorice comes up with air and carries through the long, sappy, mineraldriven finish. This wine has the depth to age. 92 Points
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz Usual Price $125.00 Pre-Arrival Price $106.00 This wine comes from parcels of land in the lieu-dit "The Cassanets" which are composed of pebbles and sandy subsoil. The Grenache, which comprises 85% of the blend, was planted between 1956 and 1958. A parcel of Shiraz, in the lieu-dit "The Bédines", is on a soil composed of sand makes up the remaining 15%. After sorting in the vineyard the grapes are taken to the cellar in boxs of 300 kg. The grapes are partly destemmed. The Grenache is aged in old casks, the Syrah goes into newer Burgundian barrels. The wine is then assembled before bottling. The Rhone Report: A fantastic example of this cuvee, the 2010 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Caillou Les Quartz is a blend of 85% completely tank aged Grenache, and 15% Syrah that’s aged in smaller barrels. Displaying a decidedly elegant, yet fruit forward personality, with copious spice, flowers, garrigue, and excellent minerality on the nose, this is straight-up gorgeous on the palate. Full-bodied, rich, and perfectly balanced, this should ideally be left alone for 3-5 years, at which point it should age beautifully for 15+ years. 93-96+ Points Drink Rhone - John Livingston-Learmonth: (casks) dark colour. Has an inky, smoky aroma – there is a chocolate fullness here. The fruit resembles dark berries, prune, polished black leather. Plenty to come over time – this will be engaging. Has a meaty, prune with black fruits flavour, and a good line-up of tannins after half way – there is potential for generosity here. The fruit runs truly all the way, has quality. Helpful acidity keeps it fresh on the finish. The length is good – it keeps its fine richness throughout. From mid-2014. 5 Stars Robert Parker: Another good effort, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz’s deep purple color shows slightly more density and bluish tones than the 2009. Full-bodied and layered with copious blackberry and blueberry fruit, it is a voluptuously textured, pure, slightly tannic Chateauneuf du Pape that will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and should last for 15-20 years. 93-95 Points Stephen Tanzer: Deep ruby-red. A more masculine, assertive wine than the Safres, showing intense red and dark berry character with strong floral and herb notes. Lush and creamy in texture, with a slow-building spiciness and a seamless quality to its dark fruit flavors. Picks up energy with air and finishes with excellent clarity and length. I'll bet that this wine will be a slow ager. 91-93 Points
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Reserve Usual Price $195.00 Pre-Arrival Price $167.00 The Châteauneuf-du-Pape Reserve is a wine made only in the best vintages. The vineyard is composed of 60% Grenache and Mourvèdre 40% in the lieu-dits “Pignan” "The Guigasse". The soil, composed of sand, gives the wine freshness and finesse. The grapes are harvested late to obtain the perfect maturity of Mourvèdre. The Rhone Report: Coming all from sandy soils and the lieux-dits of Pignan (Grenache and aged all in tank) and Guigasse (Mourvèdre and aged in smaller barrels), the 2010 Le Clos du Caillou Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine du Caillou Reserve possesses a deep, layered personality with silky black fruits, graphite, roasted meats, mineral, and spice, full body, beautiful acidity, and a powerful, yet seamless and elegant profile. The structure and tannin builds on the palate, and this should require 3-5 years on release, with upwards of 15 to 20 years of longevity. Always a silky, yet powerful wine, this is a beauty and possibly up there with the ’07 and ’00 vintage in terms of quality. 9598+ Points Drink Rhone - John Livingston-Learmonth: (casks) dark, shiny robe. Sleekly fruited, Morello black cherry aroma with wispy coffee notes, cafezinho do Brasil, soaked black cherries, plus a curious note of anchovy, a saline air that is unusual. The palate has a clean living nature, with precise, crystalline black fruit at its heart. It still exists on its early acidity, and will extend its gras over time towards the finish. Shapely tannins line its sides through to the finale. From 2015. 4 1/2 Stars Robert Parker: A candidate for wine of the vintage, the blockbuster 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve is a powerful, heady effort that must possess more than 15% natural alcohol. Its inky/purple color is accompanied by notes of blackberries, roasted meats, smoked herbs, ink and incense. Rich, structured and full-bodied, it is another great example of this cuvee, which was first introduced in 1998 (a vintage that is just now becoming fully mature at age 13). Unlike the other cuvees, the Reserve comes from Grenache planted in 1930 in a well-known lieu-dit called La Guigasse, and the balance of Mourvedre and Syrah were planted in 1939 in Les Bedines. This wine is aged in a combination of new and one-year-old demi-muids (for the Mourvedre and Syrah) and concrete vats (for the Grenache). 95-97 Points Stephen Tanzer: (a 50/50 blend of grenache and mourvedre "because the mourvedre was beautiful in 2010," according to Bruno Gaspard; raised in demi-muids, of which about half are new): Opaque purple. Explosively perfumed scents of candied red and dark berries, incense, sassafras and violet, with a suave overlay of Asian spices. Sappy, penetrating raspberry and boysenberry flavors stain the palate and are braced by zesty, building mineral and spice qualities. Lingers impressively on the finish, with the floral and dark berry notes repeating. The blend here is normally 60% grenache and 40% mourvedre. 93-95 Points
Grand Millesime Pty Ltd 6/40 Batman Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Callers by appointment. Phone: (03) 9326 5737 Fax: (03) 9326 6744 www.grandmillesime.com.au darren@grandmillesime.com.au
e e v i h s s rt ! a M s fo es e uve r o c S op c t
Domaine de la Janasse Serious Chateauneuf! Overall, you can’t go wrong here and these are brilliant wines worth seeking out! The Rhone Report “This impeccably run estate, in the capable hands of Christophe Sabon, his sister Isabelle, and their father, is one of the superstars of the southern Rhone Valley. Over the last 12-15 years, the quality of the wines has gone from strength to strength, with brilliant wines being produced in all price categories. They make sumptuous, complex, world-class red, white and rose Cotes du Rhones, and year-in and year-out, their Chateauneuf du Papes are among the top three or four wines of the vintage. Tasting two great vintages (2009 and 2010) from the Sabons was one of the most thrilling tastings I have had this year. My tasting began with some unbelievable Cotes du Rhones” Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #197 Domaine de la Janasse has quickly become one of the Superstar estates of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Led by the dynamic Christophe Sabon, the estate combines the best of both traditional and modern techniques to craft a collection of truly riveting wines from “simple” value-priced VDP’s to benchmark Châteauneufs. The estate was founded in 1976 by Aimé Sabon, Christophe’s father, who still oversees the vineyards and farms organically. The property consists of 15 hectares in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, spread over many different parcels. The soil types vary from clay and round pebbles in La Crau, to sand and clay soil in the northeastern plots where most of the vines are located Lieu-dits such as La Janasse, Chapouin, and Barnouine, all of which are close to Beaucastel). The domaine is named after the eponymous lieu-dit “La Janasse” in the extreme north of the appellation, east of Beaucastel. While Aime works in the vineyards, his son, Christophe Sabon, is in charge of wine production. Christophe, who
studied winemaking and oenology in Beaune, is a self-proclaimed “great defender of Grenache,” which still represents 75% of their vines. He manages the common rusticity of Grenache-based wines through meticulous work in the vineyards and cellar. The result is a wide range of Châteauneuf-du-Papes and Cotes-du-Rhônes that are complex and yet balanced with acidity - often in contradiction to an appellation better known for sheer exuberance and power. As Robert Parker points out: “The young and talented Christophe Sabon continues to display the surehanded touch of a veteran winemaker”. I have long been a fan of the Janasse wines which combine tradition with modern skills, utilizing the best features of both. So I was certainly very pleased to be offered the wines, including a small allocation of the highly regarded and rare Vieilles Vignes. The wines have received superb reviews from everyone. The 2010 wines have received exceptional scores across the board. Be quick - they will not last.
2010 Cotes du Rhone Usual Price $25.95 Pre-Arrival Price $21.95 Tremendous value for the quality. Robert Parker: As for the red wines, the 2010 Cotes du Rhone offers terrific berry fruit, medium to full body, good acidity, and lots of licorice, plum, Asian spice and garrigue notes. This fresh, concentrated red should drink nicely for 3-4 years. (87-89) The Rhone Report: Tasted out of foudre, the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Côtes du Rhône, mostly Grenache but with small amounts of Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan, shows a peppery, mineral, and dark fruited profile with beautiful purity, good concentration, and chewy tannin and structure. Possibly outstanding, this should be a serious value and have a solid 5-8 years of longevity. 88-91 Drink Rhone - John Livingston-Learmonth: 50-70% Grenache, 10-20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 10-15% old Carignan, Cinsault at Courthézon, 80% destemmed, 12-15 day vinification, cap punching, pumping overs, aged 80% large barrel, 20% used 228-litre oak casks 8 months, then vat raised 1-5 months. Rather dark red; wide, and as yet unlocked nose that is full of brewed fruit, and is big enough to show black raisin, grilling and smoked bacon airs, a thorough ripeness. The palate is similar – carries a chunky sort of fruit, has a grounded depth. Grenache drives it along (tasted blind), covers the palate across and along, and it ends on a surge. Its power is just under control. High tempo, full Côtes du Rhône suited to casseroles and dishes with plenty of flavour. From late 2012. 3 Stars
2010 Cotes du Rhone Villages Terre d’Argile Usual Price $41.50 Pre-Arrival Price $35.50 Robert Parker: The amazing 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Terre d’Argile may be just as good as the 2007. A black/ruby color is followed by abundant aromas of cassis, blackberries, black cherries, licorice and a hint of charcoal. The wine possesses good acidity, a fullbodied mouthfeel and terrific precision. It is a big wine that should age well for up to a decade. (92-94) The Rhone Report: It’s always a good sign with the first word in my notes is “Wow” and the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Côtes du Rhône Villages Terre d'Argile looks to be the best vintage of this cuvee yet! Showing serious and
intense aromas, this full-bodied, uncommonly rich Côtes du Rhône has layers of texture, brilliant concentration, and a very long finish. It should be approachable on release, but benefit from short to mid-term cellaring. Exciting stuff. 91-93+ Drink Rhone - John Livingston-Learmonth: 33% each Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, a little 1940s Carignan, from warm red clay, galet stone covered soils on plateau opposite Beaucastel, destemmed, 3 week vinification, daily cap punchings, pumping overs, Grenache aged large barrel, Syrah, Mourvèdre new-1-2 year oak casks 12 months, fined, unfiltered, “our least Grenache wine”, 20-30,000 bottles. (barrel/casks, bottling next month) full and dark robe; sweetly full aroma, lots of padding in it; there are licorice notes outside its prune and raspberry intensity. The palate shows a big 2010 bounty, is wide, and its fruits are mulled. It extends securely, has plenty of flavour, is juiced all though. The palate is rather worked on, gives a sense of extraction. That may have settled around 2014. From 2013. 3 1/2 Stars
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Usual Price $107.00 Pre-Arrival Price $91.00 A very high quality Chateauneuf from vines over 40 years of age. Huge scores for a “standard” wine! Robert Parker: The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape is a more restrained wine, and Christophe Sabon surprised me when he said, “It has the fruit of 2003 and the acidity levels of 2006.” It is a much more reserved wine, with an inky purple color, loads of black fruits, smoke, and earth, very good acidity and moderate tannin. This blend of 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and the rest Mourvedre displays plenty of tannin, so this wine probably does need 4-5 years of cellaring to shed some of its structure. It should drink well for 15-20 years and will certainly outlive the more precocious 2009. (91-93+) The Rhone Report: The 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape, tasted out of foudre, might just eclipse the stunning ’07 and ’09! Showing gorgeous purity and freshness, with awesome fruit, spice, flowers, licorice, and roasted meat characteristics that are paired with a thrilling, full-bodied, perfectly proportioned palate, this brilliant Châteauneuf-du-Pape has serious richness, a seamless texture, and very fine tannin. It should be approachable on release, but have 15-20 years of longevity. 93-96 Points Drink Rhone - John Livingston-Learmonth: 70-80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 80% destemmed, 15-18 day vinification, daily manual cap punchings, aged 80% large barrel (Grenache), 20% new-1-2 year oak (Syrah, Mourvèdre) 12 months, raised vat 6 months, fined, unfiltered. (cask/vat) dark, engaging robe; has a sympa, lateral air, a soft blackberry that charms, comes with a violet siding. The palate is soft and gives comfortable drinking – this is not far off the mark to be ready to sing a harmony. It picks up fine, measured tannins towards the finish, is spherical in the making, exuding harmony, offering pleasure. The tannins have just a little bite in them. This will be shipshape around 2014, but is drinkable before that. A wine of no exaggeration, and truth. 2024-26 4 1/2 Stars
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Chaupin” Usual Price $157.50 Pre-Arrival Price $133.95 (not available individually. Only available as part of our Janasse Mixed Cases, see below) 100% Grenache (does 100% Grenache make the greatest Chateauneufs? - very possibly!). Vine age: 70 years to almost 100 years. Elevage: 12-14 months. 75% in tank, 25% in small oak barrels. Approx 40% of the oak barrels are new. So roughly speaking about 10% of the wine sees new oak. Robert Parker: A potential candidate for perfection is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Chaupin, which may turn out to eclipse my favorite Chaupin to date, the 2007, and closely behind it, the 2009. Dense blackish/purple, with extraordinary intensity, precision and focus, this wine is very backward due to the higher acids in this vintage, but has a layered, skyscraper-like texture and a stunning nose of kirsch, black raspberries, lavender, and spice box. Some licorice also makes an impression. Enormously concentrated yet relatively delicate and light on its feet for a wine that is probably 15%-plus in alcohol and as concentrated as this is, it should be a future legend of Chateauneuf du Pape and evolve for 20-25 years. (98-100 Points) The Rhone Report: As with the estates other ’10, the 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Chaupin, tasted out of foudre, shows uncommon purity and freshness. Exhibiting captivating notes of fresh underbrush, flowers, violets, spice, licorice, and wet stone-like minerality that’s supported by perfectly ripe blackberry fruit, the wine is full-bodied and elegant on the palate, possessing thrilling levels of fruit, awesome focus and freshness, and a classically styled, very long finish that highlights ripe tannin. Brilliantly done, this should be a very long lived bottle of wine with a huge drink window. 96-98+ Points Drink Rhone - John Livingston-Learmonth: 100% Grenache (1912-1940s), from 80% Chapouin, 8% La Gardiole, 2% La Janasse, all sandy soils, 10% Coudoulet (stony), 80% destemmed, 3+week vinification, cap punchings, aged 12 months in 70-80% large barrel, 20% new-3 year oak, then raised vat 6 months, fined, unfiltered. (barrel) dark robe. Blackberry and blueberry lead fruit air with sensible filling in the bouquet – this can become varied and stylish. The second fruit air is prune – ie ripeness. Enclosed, compact black fruit on the palate runs clearly, has cut. It persists well. It is reserved in all its youth. The fruit also runs across the palate, is juicy without undue flamboyance. It ends nice and coolly, and is balanced. From late 2014. 2032-33 5 Stars
2010 Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Vieilles Vignes” Usual Price $207.50 Pre-Arrival Price $176.50 (not available individually. Only available as part of our Janasse Mixed Cases, see below) Vine age: 60-100 plus years. Elevage in wood which includes some new small oak. An outstandingly concentrated wine. Robert Parker:The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is black purple as well, but slightly more restrained and lower in alcohol, with more noticeable tannins and acidity. Nevertheless, this is still a phenomenally concentrated wine, with notes of barbecue spices, blackberry and black currant fruit, smoked herbs, charcoal, incense and an intense lavender note. The tannins kick in following the full-bodied, massive mouthfeel, as well as the acidity. This wine will need to be forgotten for 8-10 years, which is somewhat atypical for a Janasse Chateauneuf du Pape. It can be consumed over the following three-plus decades. An absolutely brilliant wine, as are all of these in the Janasse portfolio. (98-100 Points)
The Rhone Report: The 2010 Domaine de la Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes should be one of the top wines in the vintage. Displaying a profound aromatic array of dark fruits, crème de cassis, chocolate, licorice, and spice, all with amazing clarity and freshness, this serious Châteauneuf-du-Pape is full-bodied and perfectly built, showing a seamless, focused profile, thrilling levels of concentration, and a classic, very long and structured finish. It should benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age, and have over two decades of longevity. Classic, utterly brilliant stuff and I can’t wait to try this from bottle! 97-100 Points Drink Rhone - John Livingston-Learmonth: 85-90% Grenache (1900s-1940s), 4-10% Syrah, 2-3% Mourvèdre, 2% various varieties, from Chapouin and Coudoulet (60%), La Crau de Courthézon and Les Saumades (40%), 80% destemmed, 4 week vinification, daily manual cap punching, aged 75% large barrel, 25% new-3 year oak 12 months, plus 6 months vat, fined, unfiltered. Dark colour. The nose is open, blackberry and violet offer very primary appeal. No extras as yet except for a note of damp soil adding depth. The palate sets off on a blackberry coulis flavour, has smoky tannin inset. It is in the state of a wine hardly showing any raising, with shiny fruit. There is lacing in the texture from pebbly, licorice effects late on. Good, Regular Guy sort of wine, though can offer a few wisecracks if given time. From 2015-16. 2032-35 5 Stars Anticipated delivery: June 2012 We offer two Mixed Dozen options. These are the only way to purchase the Chaupin and Vieilles Vignes.
Domaine de la Janasse 2010 Mixed Dozen #1 Usual Price $817.70 Pre-Arrival Price $695.15 This Mixed Dozen comprises: 6 bottles Cotes du Rhone 2 bottles Cotes du Rhone Villages Terre d’Argile 2 bottles Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1 bottle Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Chaupin” 1 bottle Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Vieilles Vignes”
Domaine de la Janasse 2010 Mixed Dozen #2 Usual Price $1130.80 Pre-Arrival Price $961.70 This Mixed Dozen comprises: 4 bottles Cotes du Rhone 2 bottles Cotes du Rhone Villages Terre d’Argile 2 bottles Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2 bottles Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Chaupin” 2 bottles Chateauneuf-du-Pape “Vieilles Vignes”
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