Visit Domaine Dublère – tasting of the 2015s from cask

Traditions are great .. and it has become my Burgundy tradition to visit Domaine Dublère in the outskirts of Beaune each year. 

It’s always great to meet Blair Pethel, as he is brutally honest about his own wines – what he likes and what he is not so happy about. I think he sometimes is being too hard on himself .. as I rarely or never find anything below standards at this fine estate.

Blair seem to encapture the very spirit of Burgundy in his wines as the wines has this juicy lightness and transparency that all Burgundian wine should have – to make me want to enjoy another glass.

Please note the health message in the bottom of the page .. and do not drink and drive .. and lastly do not enjoy great wines without people you cherish.

On this moral excursion .. to the business.. the 2015s from Domaine Dublère.

A little background on Domaine Dublère

A little background – Domaine Dublère was founded in 2003 by the American journalist Blair Pethel. The first vintage was 2004, and the estate has since 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 native producers.

The wines are made both from rented vineyards and grapes from own vineyards – Blair actually owns a quite nice plot of Corton Charlemagne from where he produces his magnificent Corton Charlie.

I have followed Domaine Dublère since the 2007 vintage and always loved the transparent and terroir driven style. These wines should not be overlooked by any Burgundy collector.

Notes from tasting November 11th 2016

The red 2015s from Domaine Dublere are delightful showing both the house qualities and the generosity of the 2015 vintage. I’m very happy to see that Blair has kept the transparency and the delicate purity in the wines even with the additional weight and fruit.

I do think its a successful marriage between the vintage and the house style .. as the extra mid-palate fruit and the high ripeness seem to integrate perfectly – and maintain the spirit of the wines  and the lovely drinkability.

The high ripeness of the vintage does influence the whites more so than the reds, but to me Blair has found a nice balance with the Cote d’Or whites – where the charming mid-palate fruit of the vintage is brought forward by a fine balancing freshness and minerality. I’m not a fan of whites from hot years – but I do find these wines very balanced – and much more so than many other whites I have tasted.  So while they are on the rich side, they are enjoyable even for my spoiled, fastidious and purist palate.

To the notes … 

Domaine Dublere, Bourgogne Les Grands Terres Rouge 2015

The Bourgogne les Grands Terres is a new wines for the 2015 vintage – and a welcomed addition to the lineup. It’s a beautifully forward wine offering a fine detailed and very pure red fruit for this level. On the palate fine freshness – nice acidity – with a lovely mid-palate fruit. This is indeed entry level and offering tremendous drinkability with no regrets.

(Drink from 2017) – Good (85 – 86p)
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Domaine Dublere, Chorey Les Beaune Les Maladerottes 2015

The Chorey Les Beaune Les Maladerottes 2015 – what a name – is the second addition. Not often I taste this appellation that is located below the road i.e. across D974 from the Dublère estate. The bouquet is more spicy with some white peppar and the fruit seems somewhat more ripe and dark. On the palate rich and quite ripe – yet still juicy with a nice energy and a slightly edgy minerality – a nice glass of pinot.

(Drink from 2017) – Good (85 – 86p)
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Domaine Dublere, Savigny Les Beaune Les Planchots du Nord 2015

The Savigny Les Planchots du Nord is a very charming effort and a very good entry+ level Burgundy. The generous fruit in this vintage has benefited this wine in my view – as its more lush and most likely more appealing to a lot of Burgundy drinkers. In the nose lovely rich red fruits brought forward by a nice display of minerality. On the palate transparent and quite generous red fruit .. finely balanced with a lovely mineralic finish. The extra warmth of the vintage does ad a seductive element to this wine. Drinking just beautifully.

(Drink from 2017) – Good (86 – 87p)

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Domaine Dublere, Savigny Les Beaune Les Talmettes 2015

The Savigny Les Talmettes is a step up and a slightly more serious wine. The nose offer delicate red fruits – raspberries, red currant and strawberries – more depth than Les Planchots. On the palate lovely juicy intensity and length – generous and even silky mid-palate fruit – nicely focused by the fine minerality from the lovely terroir. What can I say try it – it will make gorgeous drinking over the next 5 years or more – should not be missed.

(Drink from 2020) – Good+++ (87 – 88p)

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Domaine Dublere, Beaune Blanches Fleur 1er cru 2015

The Beaune Blanches Fleur 1er cru is a quite rare bird coming from a relatively unknown terroir neighbouring Beaune Clos du Roi. This wine is produced from the upper and sandy part of this triangular vineyard. I have a soft spot for this wine … with is generous presentation of pinot fruit. This is a fine Beaune effort escaping the over-ripeness found in quite a few Beaune wines in this vintage. In the bouquet pure and juicy red and dark fruits – notes of red cherries, raspberries and hints of pomegranate. On the palate quite velvet and generous – with a suitable hint of opulence. Call me a hedonistic slut .. but this is both charming and seductive.

(Drink from 2022) – Fine (90 – 92p)
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Domaine Dublere, Volnay Les Pitures 2015

The Volnay Les Pitures 2015 from Domaine Dublere is a rich and ripe Volnay in the making. The bouquet offer deep and juicy fruit – red berries – variations of cherries, red forest berries – hints of plum and a nice supporting minerality. On the palate rich and velvet fruit – fine transparency and a nice display of terroir. A generous and delicate Volnay .. both refined and delicious.

(Drink from 2024) – Fine (91 – 92p)

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Domaine Dublere, Volnay Taillipeids 2015

The Volnay Taillipeids is as usual a step up in minerality and concentration. The nose offer layers of ripe and juicy fruit … with notes of red cherries, strawberries and red currant … focused and boosted by the powerful minerality. On the palate a lovely tension between the generous and even silky red mid-palate fruit and the vibrant backbone of minerality from the energetic terroir. A seductive and delightful Volnay with a strong hedonistic side.

(Drink from 2026) – Fine+ (92 – 93p)

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Domaine Dublere, Morey-Saint-Denis Les Blanchards 2015

The Morey-Saint-Denis Blanchards 1er cru 2015 is on the ripe and lush side – although both transparency and freshness has been maintained. The bouquet offer transparent layers of ripe red fruits  – infused with a quite deep earthy minerality. On the palate silky and slightly opulent fruit … its balanced but generous and offer a very seductive and silky side of the Morey appellation. A charming and rich wine .. offering a lot of pleasure.

(Drink from 2023) – Fine (91 – 92p)

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Domaine Dublere, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Bousselots 2015

The Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Bousselots is in my view a better match for the 2015 vintage with it’s more focusing minerality. The southern part of the northern end of NSG (just north of the village) seem to have done very well in this vintage – perhaps due to the cool breeze from the valley towards Vergy. This has benefited Aux Thorey and presumably also Bousselots just below Aux Thorey. The bouquet offer a charming collection of ripe red and darker berries – with notes of raspberries, variations of red and dark sweet forest berries. It’s delicate and refined offering a juicy energy and with its usual mineral driven character. On the palate more generous and lush than usually offering layers of fresh and vibrant fruit – generous and quite seductive – without being promiscuous – offering a very charming and refined expression of this terroir.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Fine (92 – 93p)

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Notes for the white 2015s….

Domaine Dublère, Bourgogne Blanc – Les Millerandes 2015

The Bourgogne Blanc 2015 is a fine effort for this level – nicely balanced and charming. The nose is offering quite balanced notes of ripe orchard fruits as usually brought forward by a fresh citrus infused minerality. The wine has a slightly more exotic and ripe expression than the 2014 – and not to blow smoke up your trumpet it’s not quite as good. This is however the charm of Burgundy that vintages are different, and while richer it does have both charm, balance and freshness. On the palate it offers a quite rich and charming fruit (as the best 2015 whites have) and its nicely balanced by the fine and quite delicate acidity.

(Drink from 2017) – Good (85 – 86p)

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Domaine Dublère, Savigny Les Vergeless 2015

The Savigny Les Vergeless is one of my favorite whites terroirs of this appellation. In the nose lovely white and yellow orchard fruits, spiced by some quite zappy citrus notes and a lovely chalky minerality. On the palate rather rich and charming fruit – very good intensity. This terroir is a beautiful match to the rich and quite ripe fruit of the vintage .. a delightful glass.

(Drink from 2019) – Good+ (86 – 87p)

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Domaine Dublère, Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chenevotte 2015

The Chassagne Chenevottes is the first of the three Chassagne 1er crus – and also the one located lowest on the slope. This is a fairly rich vineyard with a quite expressive terroir – somewhat deeper and more weighty than Les Vergers and Les Chaumees. In the nose notes of quite rich orchard fruits with a nice citrus infused minerality. On the palate deep and rich fruit – on the weighty side – but still retaining enough freshness to balance the wine. Well done – but this is in my view not the perfect terroir in a rich and opulent year like 2015. That being said – its a quite enjoyable wine.

(Drink from 2020) – Very Good (88 – 90p)

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Domaine Dublère, Chassagne- Montrachet Les Vergers 2015

The Chassagne Les Vergers is a step up the Chassagne hill – into a cooler and more shallow soil. The bouquet offer relatively fresh predominantly yellow orchard fruits – brought forward by some slightly reductive citrus notes and a stony minerality. On the palate fresher and more mineral driven than the Chenevotte with a nice balance between the relatively rich mid-palate and the underlying stony minerality. A lovely effort .. nicely balanced.

(Drink from 2021) – Very Good+ (90 – 91p)
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Domaine Dublère, Chassagne Montrachet Les Chaumees 2015

Yet another .. jump .. up the hill to my old favorite Les Chaumees. This is another notch up in balance and coolness – and in my view the best of the three Chassagnes in 2015. The nose offer lovely – for the vintage quite cool fruit brought forward by a lovely citrus infused stony minerality. On the palate intense with a quite powerful mid-palate fruit and the usual charged mineral driven backbone and finish. Love the saline finish of this wine. This is a beautiful effort by all standards – and especially in this vintage.

(Drink from 2022) – Fine+ (92p)

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Domaine Dublère, Corton Charlemagne 2015

The Corton Charlemagne 2015 take things to another level – and establish Blair as one of the top producers of Corton Charlie almost or if not matching the mighty Bonneau du Martray in recent vintages. The bouquet offer pure and delicate orchard fruits with notes of pear, hints of pineapple and with some lovely lemony notes – all brought forward by the filigree but intense minerality. On the palate refined and very long – with the minerality absorbing and balancing the richness of the vintage. The beauty of Corton Charlemagne is that it seems to keep it’s cool even in hotter years and the strong mineral backbone can balance a lot of ripe fruit without loosing the freshness and energy. A tremendous effort in this vintage.

(Drink from 2025) – Very Fine (93 – 94p)
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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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