Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses is the delight of Burgundy ... filigree, sensual, cool and refined. The female pendant to Musigny with the same type of regal minerality - yet more delicate and lightfooted - without the sheer power and depth of the … [Read more...]
First impressions of Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé 2016s
During my March 2017 trip to Burgundy I had the opportunity to visit Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé to taste the 2016 vintage from cask. I know the Vogüé wines very well, and they have been amongst my benchmark wines for 15 years .. i.e. the … [Read more...]
Terroir Insight: Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras
One of the hidden gems of Chambolle-Musigny is the Chambolle Les Cras from Domaine Ghislaine Barhod. The Les Cras vineyard is mainly known for the fine Chambolle-Musigny Les Cras from Domaine Georges Roumier, and that is indeed a lovely wine, but … [Read more...]
Visit Domaine des Comtes Lafon – tasting of the 2015s
I have had many great moments with the wines from Domaine des Comtes Lafon over the years, and have enjoyed vintages from 1982 and forward. I have been lucky to taste more white Burgundies from this fabled estate than from any other estate in … [Read more...]
Terroir Insight: Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat Romanée Saint-Vivant
In my view Romaée Saint-Vivant is one of the most sensual and enchanting of the Grand crus. The perfumed refinement of a great RSV is almost unmatched aside from the two monopoles just above Romanée Saint-Vivant. Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat is making … [Read more...]
Visit Domaine Hudelot-Noellat – tasting of the 2015s
My March 2017 trip to Burgundy included a lovely visit to Domaine Hudelot-Noellat in Vougeot. I have follow these wines over the years but actually not visited the estate. Charles Van Canneyt of Domaine Hudelot-Noellat We were received by … [Read more...]
The Diam closure – now and in the long run
The Diam closure is now used by many of the top producers of white and while this has or is expected to eliminate the premox problems some collectors are still sceptical about this new closure - I for one want to learn more about the long term … [Read more...]
Visit Domaine Leflaive, Tasting of the 2015s from cask
I was delighted that I had the opportunity to visit Domaine Leflaive on my March 2017 trip to Burgundy ... to taste some of the 2015s with the new manager of the estate Pierre Vincent. Me and Leflaive - we go back many years - and she … [Read more...]
Tasting of the 2015 Chablis from William Fevre
As most readers know I’m not a Chablis devotee, although I have tasted my share of fine Chablis over the years. I love a good Chablis, and one of my favourite sources is William Fevre - the Henriot owned producer - alongside Raveneau and Dauvissat. … [Read more...]
The top of the 2015 vintage, editors choice – update 13/04/2017
I have tasted a range of 2015s Burgundies over the last year and many are outstanding for the level, and some are even truly extraordinary in a quite unique way - where generosity and vibrant freshness integrates in a very unique and transparent … [Read more...]
Terroir Insight: Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny Les Véroilles
I go to Burgundy more than five times a year to taste, to visit vignerons, to walk the vineyards ... yet still I find new or to me unknown producers and vineyards - this is the beauty and the complexity of Burgundy - the region I love so much. … [Read more...]
Visit Domaine Ghislaine Barthod – tasting of the 2015s
Chambolle Charmes; Chambolle charm .... I always loved the wines from this quiet small village wedged into the valley north of the legendary Musigny vineyard. Musigny Grand Cru defines this appellation - but it has so much more to offer - and I'm … [Read more...]
Burgundy 2016 … Impressions and some initial thoughts
A blank page ... a new vintage ... new opportunities ... further Bourgudian delights. The beauty of Burgundy is the change and the diversity ... a new vintage always represent a new expression of the terroirs and Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and … [Read more...]
Vintage Report – 2015 white Burgundies – Insights
On my March 2017 trip to Burgundy I had the chance to taste some more 2015 whites - and this have added some perspective on the vintage - and provided some further insights into this rich but surprisingly charming vintage. I had the pleasure to … [Read more...]
Vintage Report 2015 Reds – updated buying advice
Just back from my March trip to Burgundy where I had the opportunity to taste and retaste many 2015s - some bottled, some prepared for bottling and even some still in cask. At the Trilogie en Côte de Nuits I tasted many different estates - and … [Read more...]
Bruno Clavelier Vosne Les Hautes Maizieres small vertical
Spring, Sun ... and a one weeek Burgundy trip ahead - and quite a few interesting articles in the pipeline - what is not to like! This is an article about a small vertical with four Bruno Clavelier Vosne-Romanée Les Hautes Maizieres - including … [Read more...]
Terroir Insight – Domaine Bertheau Chambolle Les Amoureuses
I love Chambolle-Musigny perhaps the most vibrant and sensual appellation ... While the Chambolle appellation is rather large the number of top end producers located in the village of Chambolle is rather limited, and somehow it's not often a … [Read more...]
Vintage Report – 2015 white Burgundies – update
I have updated the vintage chart for white Burgundies with the 2015 vintage and adjusted the rating for the 2009 vintage - see the full Vintage Chart for White Burgundies here White Burgundies - the 2015 vintage - rich but charming The 2015 … [Read more...]
Terroir Insight: Comte Liger-Belair NSG Clos des Grandes Vignes
One of my favorite parts of Burgundy is Premeaux - and since I seem to be the only one to think that Premeaux should have its own appellation - l think its fair to assume that it will continue to be a part of Nuits-Saint-Georges for now. I have … [Read more...]
Terroir Insight: Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Aux Reignots
Charles Lachaux has made tremendous progress at Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, winemaking is now done with a lighter hand - less oak and less extraction and furthermore a high percentage of whole cluster is now used. While the top wines have always been … [Read more...]
Visit Domaine Lamarche – tasting the 2015s from cask
Preconceptions and old habits sometimes or even often leads to mistakes and this is also the case in Burgundy - especially in times of change. A lot of estates in Burgundy are taken over by new generations and this often leads to a change of style … [Read more...]
Vineyard Insight: Latricières-Chambertin
The Gevrey-Chambertin appellation is large with quite a lot of rather large Grand Crus generously allocated when the current classification was established. Not all plots of the Gevrey Grand Crus are of high standard, and yet still they are famous in … [Read more...]
Visit – tasting of the 2015s from Domaine Dujac
Domaine Dujac is an old favorite ... one of the first estates I visited in Burgundy back in the 1990s. A lot of wine has passed the palate since then - but Dujac is sort of a safe haven quality and aromatics wise. The tasting at Dujac was this … [Read more...]
Terroir Insight: Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Latricieres-Chambertin
In my view Latriciere-Chambertin is one of the overlooked and slightly misunderstood terroirs ... and the 2015 vintage has really shown what this terroir can offer in both refinement and greatness. I have tasted excellent Latriciere-Chambertins … [Read more...]
Visit Maison Harbour, Tasting of the 2015s
The fragrance of delicacy .... sometimes you never know what a producer visit in Burgundy will bring ... and this was the case with Maison Harbour in Savigny-Les-Beaune. To be honest I always fear these visits - as I hate being put in a situation … [Read more...]