Brandis Tasting – the delightful 2017 vintage

 

Domaine Brandis, with Tom Brandis at the wheel, is one of Denmark’s main Burgundy importers.

In early November, Tom held his large Wine Festival with a very fine lineup of delightful producers – French, German, Italian; you name it, they were there.

A very, very rare bird

I had a short splash and dash at this tasting, as I was on my way to Burgundy. I focused on the Burgundies – as this is what I do – although I also made a short pit stop for the excellent Mosel wines made by Thomas Haag at Scloss Lieser. They are always a treat, and it is always a pleasure to speak to Thomas Haag.

Millot singing beautifully in 2017

The Millot 2017s are really singing and showing the best sides of the vintage. Alix Millot presented a fine range including the 2018 Aligote (not tasted before; an interesting effort). The Côte de Nuits Village Aux Faulques was showing beautifully, fulfilling its promise from cask. I thoroughly enjoyed the three bigger boys: Vosne Suchots, Echezeaux (the regular) and the fine Clos de Vougeot. These are delightful wines, and very enjoyable – ratings from cask are here

Domaine Henri Gouges 2017s

The Henri Gouges side was represented by Antoine Gouges, who had travelled to Denmark to show the fine-drinking 2017s. I had had the pleasure of tasting them in Nuits-Saint-Georges in February. The Chaignots was however new … and showed beautifully. Gouges really nailed the 2017s

Domaine Rougeot – without sulphur

Pierre-Henri Rougeot was there with his wines, but without his sulphur. These are exciting wines, yet the Winehog does have some difficulties with the palate of some unsulphured whites (although not specifically the Rouget wines). I have, however, had some very fine experiences with reds containing very little or no sulphur.

In the end, it is a question of trying and learning … or trying to learn.

The happy wines of the wild ones

Tom Brandis also had some excellent Beaujolais, and some wild Burgundies from Marc Soyard on the Côte south of Dijon.

You know the Soyard wines (I enjoy them a lot), but do me a favour and try some of the Beaujolais from Romuald Valot. Valot is rather on the wild side – but with a true joie de vivre. Come to think of it, his are almost vins d’émotion – if you are ready to rock the world and experiment a bit.

Domaine Arlaud showing his 2017s

Cyprien Arlaud was showing his fine 2017s, which are adorable wines with a lovely organic feel. These are getting better and better, and even his negociant wines are showing more and more of the biodynamic character.

The Arlaud wines are sadly somewhat overlooked by collectors. They really do deserve more recognition. It will be interesting to follow the domaine’s future development.

Domaine Julien showing the 2017s

It is always great to see Etienne Julien, who was showing his 2017s. My favorite here, as usual, was Les Bousselots, located north of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The Echezeaux was in beautiful balance and offered a generous feel; a very fine wine showing all the qualities it offered from cask.

Groffier 2017 and a special 2016 … delightful juice

Nicolas Groffier was showing his 2017 lineup plus a fine and rare 2016, which can be found here.

The 2017s from Groffier showed beautifully, revealing the charm and refinement of the 2017 vintage – see the notes here from the cask samples.

Michael Stevens of Vins Divins presents Domaine Prieure-Roch

Last but not least, a taste of Prieure-Roch: two cuveés from the Clos de Corvée vineyard in Premeaux, vintage 2017. The 1er cru Vieilles Vignes is somewhat closed – or should I say tasted more open on another occasion – but is nevertheless a fine wine. The main cuvée “Clos de Corvées” is really singing – very fine indeed, and a vin d’émotion in my world.

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A fast sprint! Thanks to Tom Brandis for a fine afternoon, and thanks to all the producers for attending.