burgundy

Posted: May 9, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

Burgundy's Big Surprise: 2010 Vintage Preview

Vintners are relieved by the quality of the reds and whites; get an early look at how the vintage rates, plus 29 top wines from cellar tastings

Posted: May 3, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

News & Features : Tasting Highlights

11 Burgundy Pinot Noirs

New reviews of red Burgundies from Chassagne-Montrachet, where relative value abounds with the 2009 vintage

Posted: April 13, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

News & Features : Unfiltered

The Governor and The Donald Team Up for Wine

Plus, a vine robot that does it all, serious Burgundy wine fraud and Three Fat Guys, a new label from former Packers players

Posted: April 12, 2012

Blogs : Bruce Sanderson Decanted

Girardin and More Côte d'Or Real-Estate Transactions

Behind-the-scenes deals are changing the Burgundy landscape

Posted: March 1, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

Late last year, I wrote a blog about the rumored sale of Maison Vincent Girardin. At that time, I was unable to get a confirmation from Girardin or a spokesperson for the company. However, last week I heard that the deal was almost completed.

Marco Caschera, the Girardin export manager, confirmed that La Compagnie des Vins d'Autrefois and its managing director Jean-Pierre Nié became the majority shareholder and recently took over management of the Girardin business. The technical and sales team remains in place, with winemaker Eric Germain still at the helm. An assistant enologist, Christophe Marin, was hired to assist Germain. Girardin himself will continue in a consulting role.

Blogs : Bruce Sanderson Decanted

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2009: Magnificence in the Bottle

Tasting the 2009 lineup from Burgundy's most sought-after label

Posted: February 22, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

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.

Blogs : Bruce Sanderson Decanted

On the Move: Domaine Champy

Recent acquisitions provide depth and diversity to the Champy range

Posted: February 17, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

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.

Collecting : Collecting News

Bogus Burgundies?

Rare bottles are pulled from a London auction after collectors raise questions about authenticity

Posted: February 9, 2012 By Peter Hellman

Blogs : Bruce Sanderson Decanted

Louis Jadot's 2010 Reds

Natural selection was the key to Pinot Noir quality in Burgundy's 2010 vintage

Posted: February 8, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

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.

Blogs : Bruce Sanderson Decanted

At Louis Jadot, a Fine Range, a Stellar Career

Winemaker Jacques Lardière previews his 2010 Chardonnays

Posted: February 6, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

Blogs : Bruce Sanderson Decanted

Old Vines in Chorey-lès-Beaune: Tollot-Beaut

Old, high-quality vine strains are the key to pure, ripe fruit flavors and intensity in 2010

Posted: February 3, 2012 By Bruce Sanderson

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.

News & Features : What We're Drinking Now

Creole, Crab and Chardonnay

Louis Jadot Meursault 2008

Posted: December 19, 2011 By Thomas Matthews

Learn Wine : Ask Dr. Vinny

What's the difference between "Burgundian" and "Californian" wine styles?

Posted: December 16, 2011

Blogs : Bruce Sanderson Decanted

Is Vincent Girardin Selling His Burgundy Business?

Reliable sources indicate that the esteemed Burgundy grower and winemaker is up for sale

Posted: December 15, 2011 By Bruce Sanderson

Burgundy is a small, tightly knit world. Major transactions are rare, and people keep their own counsel. But my sources tell me that a significant deal is in the works.

I have been informed by reliable sources that Vincent Girardin, a highly esteemed grower and winemaker who has been building a small but important négociant arm, is selling his business. The price is rumored to be $52 million to $65 million (at today's rate of $1.30 to the euro).

This would be a major deal for the region, comprising approximately 113 acres of vines. Girardin personally owns roughly 54 acres in the Côte de Beaune, about half of that in Santenay. In addition, there are an additional 57 acres under a holding company, including vineyards in Chassagne-Montrachet premiers crus Morgeot and Les Caillerets, Puligny-Montrachet La Garenne, Les Pucelles and Les Referts and grand cru Corton-Charlemagne.

Learn Wine : Ask Dr. Vinny