Domaine Dublère – the 2014 vintage – the best whites so far?

On my March 2016 trip to Burgundy I had the pleasure to visit Domaine Dublère and taste the 2014s.

And delighted I was … the reds are showing very well indeed .. and the whites are brilliant .. and most likely the best from BIair Pethel so far.

A little background – Domaine Dublère was founded in 2003 by the American journalist Blair Pethel. The first vintage was 2004, and the domaine has since then gradually expanded the production and the portfolio of wines.

Domaine Dublère now makes quite a large a selection of both white and red Burgundies – all of very high quality given the individual appellation. All the wines are very pure, intense, quite light-footed and with a precise and transparent expression of the terroir – in other words more Burgundian than many of the local producers.

I have followed Domaine Dublère since the 2007 vintage and always loved the transparent and terroir driven style – in my view Blair is among the most talented vignerons in the region. Or simply put … I really like these wines.

Notes from tasting March 23^rd 2016

The white 2014s from Domaine Dublère are simply gorgeous, from the delightful Bourgogne Blanc to the truly magnificent Corton Charlemagne. The delicacy of the vintage and the pure delicious style of Domaine Dublere is a perfect match … the result is a range of refined, pure and airy wines … with great drinkability and lovely definition.

The game is on .. to the notes ….

Domaine Dublère, Bourgogne Blanc – Les Millerandes 2014

The Bourgogne Blanc 2014 is a very fine effort for this level. The nose is offering quite expressive notes of crystaline orchard fruits brought forward by a fresh citrus infused minerality. On the palate lovely refined fruit – finely balanced by the nice crisp and delicate acidity. A truly lovely Bourgogne Blanc in the making – tremendous value.

(Drink from 2016) – Good (86 – 87p) – Tasted 23/03/2016.
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Domaine Dublère, Savigny Les Vergeless 2014

The Savigny Les Vergeless is one of my favorite whites from this appellation. In the nose lovely white orchard fruits, spiced by crisp citrus notes and a lovely chalky minerality. On the palate pure and delicate fruit – good intensity. It’s very pure and refined for the level with a lovely expression of terroir – Highly recommended.

(Drink from 2018) – Good+ (86 – 88p) – Tasted 23/03/2016.
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Domaine Dublère, Chassagne- Montrachet Les Vergers 2014

The Chassagne Les Vergers is a new wine in the lineup – replacing the otherwise delightful Meursault Les Crotots. The Vergers is a bit on the rich side with a finely grained minerality – at least compared to Les Chaumees. In the nose fine fruit – notes of acacia, pear … brought forward by a nice and quite filigree minerality. On the palate forward and quite weighty – but still quite refined for the terroir. A fine Chassagne in the making. 2014 is a fine year for the Chassagne appellation.

(Drink from 2022) – Very Good+ (90 – 91p) – Tasted 23/03/2016.
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Domaine Dublère, Chassagne Montrachet Les Chaumees 2014

The Chassagne Les Chaumees is a mineralic powerhouse … a gorgeously terroir driven wine – one of my favorite wines from Blair Pethel. In the bouquet pure white orchard fruits, with a citrus infused stony minerality. On the palate a lovely cool and deep fruit – vibrant acidity and a very crunchy minerality. Lovely nerve and refinement .. the 2014 whites are so delicate.

(Drink from 2022) – Fine+ (92p) – Tasted 23/03/2016.
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Domaine Dublère, Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevotte 2014

The Chassagne Chenevottes is somewhat deeper and more weighty than Les Chaumees. In the nose notes of white orchard fruits and a citrus infused relatively finely grained minerality. On the palate deep and intense fruit – a more weighty wine than the Chaumees. A lovely wine … refined for a Chenevotte .. not quite matching Chaumees in my book though.

(Drink from 2022) – Fine (91 – 92p) – Tasted 23/03/2016.
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Domaine Dublère, Corton Charlemagne 2014

The Corton Charlemagne 2014 from Domaine Dublere is a masterpiece matching some of the best wines produced from this appellation in 2014. The bouquet offer pure and delicate orchard fruits with notes of pear, hint of pineapple and citrus – brought forward by the filigree but powerful minerality. On the palate refined and very long … perfectly balanced and intense. Love the energy and nerve in this wine … the best wine I have tasted so far from this fine estate – chapeau Blair!

(Drink from 2027) – Very Fine+ (94 – 95p) – Tasted 23/03/2016.
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New wine from Chablis

Domaine Dublère made three wines from Chablis in 2014 – Chablis Cotê de Léchet + the two grand crus also made in 2013 i.e. Chablis Les Bougros and Chablis Valmur. I have not always been a huge fan of the Chablis wines from Blair in the past … but the 2014s are quite brilliant and should definitely not be overlooked.

Domaine Dublère, Chablis Cotê de Léchet 2014

The Chablis Chablis Cotê de Léchet is showing beautifully – as the nose offers delicate white orchard fruit – hints of acacia and hazelnuts – spiced by a lovely chalky minerality. On the palate cool and focused with a lovely vibrant acidity and a fine chalky expression of terroir. A lovely classic Chablis in the making.

(Drink from 2021) – Very Good+ (90 – 91p) – Tasted 23/03/2013.

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Domaine Dublère, Chablis Les Bougros 2014

The Chablis Bougros is showing beautifully and is quite a step up .. offering true grand cru depth and length. The nose offer pure white fruits – hints of honey, acacia, lime and almonds – brought forward by a powerful chalky minerality. On the palate rich and focused with a lovely vibrant acidity … it’s long and intense with the powerful minerality as a balancing factor. A textbook Chablis … very fine indeed.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Fine (93 – 94p) – Tasted 23/03/2016.
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Domaine Dublère, Chablis Valmur 2014

The Chablis Valmur is a rich and quite forward Chablis. In the bouquet expressive yellow fruit spiced with accia and hazelnuts – quite openly knit with a citrus infused chalky minerality. On the palate rich and weighty – quite vineous and expressive. A quite powerful and aromatically rich Chablis in the making – with the superbly refined expression of the 2014 vintage

(Drink from 2025) – Very Fine (93 – 94p) – Tasted 23/03/2016

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Tasting Notes for this producer

• Domaine Dublère Corton-Charlemagne 2011 February 7, 2020
• Domaine Dublère, Charmes-Chambertin 2006 September 1, 2019
• Domaine Dublere, Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chaumees 2010 August 14, 2016
• Domaine Dublère, Charmes Chambertin 2008 July 21, 2016
• Domaine Dublére, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2013 November 1, 2015
• Domaine Dublere, Meursault Les Crotots 2013 November 1, 2015
• Domaine Dublere, Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chaumees 2013 November 1, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Bousselots 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Volnay Taillipeids 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Volnay Les Pitures 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Beaune Blanches Fleur 1er cru 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Savigny Les Planchots du Nord 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Corton Charlemagne 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Meursault Les Charmes 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevotte 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Chassagne Montrachet Les Chaumees 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Meursault Les Crotots 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Savigny Les Vergeless 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublère, Bourgogne Blanc – Les Millerandes 2013 April 4, 2015
• Domaine Dublére, Volnay Les Pitures 2010 September 7, 2014
• Domaine Dublere, Savigny-Les-Beaune Aux Vergelesses 2011 January 26, 2014
• Domaine Dublere, Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chaumees 2011 November 15, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Corton Charlemagne 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevotte 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Chassagne Montrachet Les Chaumees 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Nuits-Saint-Georges Blanc 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Meursault Les Crotots 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Savigny Les Vergeless 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Bourgogne Blanc – Les Millerandes 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Bousselots 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Volnay Taillipeids 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Volnay Les Pitures 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Beaune Blanches Fleur 1er cru 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Savigny Les Planchots du Nord 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Savigny Les Talmettes 2012 November 9, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2011 October 13, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Meursault Les Crotots 2010 August 10, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Volnay Taillepeids 2010 April 29, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Volnay Taillepeids 2009 April 29, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Volnay Taillepieds 2008 April 29, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2010 April 29, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2009 April 29, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2008 April 29, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Chassagne Montrachet Les Chaumees 2010 April 28, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Chassagne Montrachet Les Chaumees 2009 April 28, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Chassagne Montrachet Les Chaumees 2008 April 28, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Beaune Les Blanches Fleurs 2007 February 20, 2013
• Domaine Dublere, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2010 February 4, 2013

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