February 2012
Tasting the 2009 lineup from Burgundy's most sought-after label
Posted: Feb 22, 2012 3:30pm ET
When you have exalted parcels, conscientious viticulture, attention to detail in the cellar and tradition on your side, in most vintages, you will make excellent wines. But when you align all of the above with a superb growing season, such as 2009, the result can be magnificent. Such is the case with the 2009 Burgundies from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
"Seductive," "tender" and "pure," were words co-director Aubert de Villaine used more than once during the 90-minute presentation of the DRC wines in New York this week, the 33rd such event staged in conjunction with long-term importer Wilson Daniels.
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Recent acquisitions provide depth and diversity to the Champy range
Posted: Feb 17, 2012 1:40pm ET
Since my last visit with Pierre Meurgey, director of Maison Champy, and enologist Dimitri Bazas, in June 2007, the firm has expanded its domaine holdings. First, it acquired Domaine Laleure-Piot in 2010, then last year secured three premier cru parcels in Volnay and Pommard from Louis Boillot that will be called Domaine Clos de la Chapelle.
With more than half the wines now under Domaine Champy or Domaine Clos de la Chapelle labels, Meurgey and Bazas showed me all the 2010s from these two properties. Here are my highlights.
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Natural selection was the key to Pinot Noir quality in Burgundy's 2010 vintage
Posted: Feb 8, 2012 1:20pm ET
I'm back in Burgundy to taste the 2010 whites and reds. Some have been recently bottled, others are assembled in tank, or still in barrel, waiting to be blended for the bottling. Today I tasted the 2010 lineup from Louis Jadot with winemakers Jacques Lardière and Frédéric Barnier. Here are my notes and ratings on the 2010 Pinot Noirs.
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Winemaker Jacques Lardière previews his 2010 Chardonnays
Posted: Feb 6, 2012 3:20pm ET
I'm back in Burgundy to taste the 2010 whites and reds. Some have been recently bottled, others are assembled in tank, or still in barrel, waiting to be blended for the bottling. Today I tasted the 2010 lineup from Louis Jadot with winemakers Jacques Lardière and Frédéric Barnier. Here are my notes and ratings on the 2010 Chardonnays.
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Old, high-quality vine strains are the key to pure, ripe fruit flavors and intensity in 2010
Posted: Feb 3, 2012 1:20pm ET
I'm back in Burgundy, where winter weather has firmly set in, to taste the 2010 whites and reds. Some have been recently bottled, others are assembled in tank, or still in barrel, waiting to be blended for the bottling. I will cover mostly the Côte d'Or, with a side trip to Chablis and, for the first time, the Côte Chalonnaise. Today I tasted a lineup of 2010s from Tollot-Beaut.
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