January 15, 2015
Willi Schaefer and White Burgundy
Willi Schaefer
With a mere four hectares (about 10 acres), Willi Schaefer is a tiny producer, making a very large impression that involves quite the following (and obsession) of Mosel Riesling lovers. Located in the town of Bernkastel-Graach, the limited parcels are planted exclusively with Riesling, mostly grown on Devonian slate. They are highly sought after, and with such small quantities and no plans of increasing production, now is the time to gobble these wines up before they disappear.
Terry Thiese explains the difficulty of getting your hands on these wines with the following; “Part of it is they’re so scarce, with no desire to grow. Part of it is the wines themselves; they’re silly with deliciousness. And as crystalline as they are, as ethereally complex and limpidly clear they have a quality of calm; they don’t fuss at you how amazing they are.” These wines are known to be approachable when young with beautiful fruit components, while impressing us with their ability of maintaining their finesse 15+ years from now. There really is only one solution to this sort of ‘problem’. Drink one now and lay the other down, cheers!
Willi Schaefer Arriving Today
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett 2013, 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Very spicy and salty and the acids are quite prominent; ginger and tropical fruit are emphatic, but this is still pre-filtration and it has many more tartrates to precipitate—so hard to judge right now.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese #4 2013, 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Sleek, tangy, streamlined version of Himmelreich, angular and quince-y. Acids are pointed and botrytis is high-toned and gingery. At the moment depth is obscured by the glaring brilliance; there’s little apparent middle, yet there must be, so judgment of necessity deferred.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #14 2013, 750ML ($109.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Candied ginger. Rather into BA-territory now. The first of these to taste discretely “sweet.” Already balanced, albeit turbulent, but this is glaringly brassy and brilliant. The customary Schaefer serenity is elsewhere. Impressive finish here, and fathomless miles to go.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmerlreich Riesling Kabinett 2013, 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “It’s limpid though some botrytis is present through the gently polished texture; as is often the case with ’13s the fruit emerges with air, as does the salty concentration; the delicate (and moderate) sweetness is welcome. Which wine is it, the salty botrytisey one or the semi-solid fruity one? We shall see.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2013, 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Again quite backward, a concatenation of stubbornness! At first only botrytis shows, and the sweetness seems too low. Patience… and after about five honest minutes it starts to smell like itself, and really good; lots of lime, wintergreen and empire apples, and now with fruit showing the sweetness seems correct, but the acidity gives the wine a Feinherb profile.”
Willi Schaefer Wines Available Here Now
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2010, 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 1 bottle available
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Beerenauslese 2011, 375ML ($209.95) $169 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The Schaefer 2011 Graacher Domprobst Riesling Beerenauslese restores the brightness, vivacity, penetrating and interplay of flavors that characterized the two magnificent Domprobst Spatlesen in the present collection but had receded as one made one’s way through the Spatlesen. Never has Willi Schaefer’s repeated mantra that green-golden ripe berries must be well-represented in a B.A. been more deliciously illustrated. Juicy and candied lemon, apple jelly and fresh apple concentrate, quince paste, white raisin, vanilla cream, and salted caramel all inform a rich yet exuberant palate performance that enervates even as it envelops. This should have half a century of adventure in store.” WA
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese #9 2012, 375ML ($59.95) $44 special, 17 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “($51) Pale golden yellow. Enticing aromas of raspberry, mint and sassafras mingle with a faint hint of spicy botrytis. Ripe and full yet discreet, this auslese is both dense and light on the palate. Finishes complex and long.” ST
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #14 2012, 375ML ($50.95) $44 special, 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “($56) Pale golden yellow. Pear, peppermint and vanilla on the seductive nose, complicated by a hint of nut oil. Glazed apricot and honey provide a luscious texture that’s stimulated by bright acidity and insistent slate. Luxuriant but nonetheless elegant, with a pronounced spiciness on the extremely long finish, this is one of the great ausleses of the vintage.” ST
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White Burgundy
Among the great grape varietals, Chardonnay is perhaps the world’s most highly adaptive, most planted, and most expressive of both terroir and winemaking techniques. It can tolerate a wide variety of growing conditions, and yield superb and complex results throughout. It tends to yield fuller bodied wines, but they vary greatly in acidity, aromas and alcohol level, depending upon its climate, ripeness and the winemaking techniques used.
Chardonnay is planted throughout Burgundy. The most highly regarded examples most often come from limestone-rich soils. Researchers at UC Davis showed in 1991 that Chardonnay is a cross between Gouais Blanc and Pinot Noir. It is not known when or where exactly the cross took place, but it was likely in the 3rd century in vineyards planted by the Romans and is rumored to have been in the village of Macon in Burgundy. Gouais Blanc is now almost extinct and was considered an inferior varietal, despite also being the parent of Aligote, Melon de Bourgogne and Gamay Noir.
The Chardonnay grape is notably transparent to vineyard site, often contributing to the finished wine subtle notes of citrus, orchard fruits and tropical notes depending upon the climate and ripeness levels. Cooler climates are more frequently associated with citrus and orchard fruit aromas, and warm climates wines typically show more tropical notes. Chardonnay is frequently fermented and/or aged in new oak, which can impart vanilla, spice and toast flavors, or old oak, which contributes spice notes. Malolactic fermentation is a popular winemaking technique to use with Chardonnay wine. This helps soften the acidity and imparts buttery aromas. Extended lees aging adds yeasty and doughy flavors. Chardonnay takes well to short- to medium-term bottle aging.
Some of the most exciting Chardonnays for their ability to express terroir come from the grape’s home region of Burgundy. Chablis wines are known for their minerality and crisp acidity, the Montrachet AOCs and Corton-Charlemagne for their complexity and expressiveness, and Meursault for its fine examples of an elegantly buttery style. The more southern and warmer regions of Burgundy, the Maconnais and Cote Chalonnais, tend to offer riper aromatics in the finished wines. The best vineyards in these appellations are also rich in limestone, which helps impart the highly sought after minerality in the wines. Most vineyards are sparsely planted in comparison to the northern regions.
White Burgundy – Chablis and Cote de Nuits
Domaine Christian Moreau Pere & Fils Clos des Hospices, Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2011 750ML ($99.95) $75 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Expressive yellow stone fruits, spices, graphite and subtle French oak flow from the 2011 Chablis Les Clos Clos des Hospices. Hints of slate, smoke and oyster shells come to life on the beautifully delineated finish. There is great energy in the glass, but this is an infant. Here, too, I have a slight preference for the 2011 over the 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2013+.”
Laurent Tribut Beauroy, Chablis Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-91 points “Reticent nose hints at grapefruit, crushed stone and menthol. Juicy, spicy and rather round, with citrus and stone flavors opening in the glass. Ultimately sweeter and softer than the Cote de Lechet, and nicely concentrated for the year. This wine has been in older barrels for the past three months; it will be racked and assembled in September.” ST
Domaine Faiveley Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 17 bottles available
Burghound 92 points “A classic Les Clos nose of oyster shell, white flowers and wet stone leads to intensely mineral-inflected and broad-shouldered flavors that display cuts-like-a-knife delineation before culminating in a clean and very dry finish. There is a note of petrol to the finish that adds to the unmistakable Chablis character.”BH
Domaine Faiveley Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($74.95) $59 special, 29 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “This offers markedly better complexity on the cool and pure aromas of iodine, tidal pool and white orchard fruit. There is fine intensity to the attractively mineral-driven medium-bodied flavors that are at once succulent yet precise, all wrapped in a harmonious and beautifully lingering finish.”BH
William Fevre Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2004 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 22 bottles available
Burghound 95 points “Stylistically, this closely resembles the Valmur with its ultra elegant and pure aromas featuring white flowers, oyster shell and subtle spice notes that perfectly complement the round, powerful, rich and full-bodied flavors that coating the mouth and culminate in a saliva-inducing, incredibly intense finish that reminded me more than a little of a great Corton-Charlemagne. This just oozes minerality and the texture is minerally to the point of this resembling a block of stone. A great Les Clos” BH
William Fevre Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($139.95) $119 special, 36 bottles available
Burghound 96 points “There is noticeable if discreet wood on the ripe and intensely floral nose that also reflects notes of pear, mineral reduction, white peach and algae. This is an imposingly scaled wine with its broad and muscular mouth feel that exudes a seemingly endless reserve of minerality on the almost painfully intense finish that delivers flat out amazing length. This is a very powerful wine that is akin to sucking on rocks it is so mineral-inflected. This too is positively brilliant.” BH
William Fevre Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 9 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Pale, green-tinged yellow. Pungent aromas of lime zest, wet stone and saline oyster shell. Densely packed, creamy and deep, with a combination of strong minerality and lively acidity (4.5 grams per liter) giving cut to the lime, pineapple and oyster shell flavors. Richer than the Lys but a bit less taut, even if it’s still a bit reduced and in need of patience. This extremely long wine should enjoy a slow and graceful evolution in bottle.” ST
William Fevre Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 92-95 points “A restrained nose of citrus, floral, mineral reduction and algae slides into impressively rich, powerful, serious and concentrated flavors that are almost painfully intense on the explosive and strikingly long finish. This is a classic Bougros with its robust and muscular big-bodied flavors.”BH
William Fevre Bougros Cote Bouguerots, Chablis Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 27 bottles available
Burghound 95 points “This is a big step up in refinement, particularly aromatically with an abundance of oyster shell and tidal pool nuances that add breadth to the white flower, citrus and Chablis-style green fruit. The rich, powerful and mouth coating flavors possess real drive but also beautiful detail on the intensely mineral-driven finish that possesses outstanding length. This is really quite dry, at least within the context of the 2009 vintage. In a word, terrific.” BH
William Fevre Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Chablis Les Preuses is one of the most complete wines in this lineup. It possesses striking delineation of aromas and flavors, with nuance after nuance that emerge in the glass. It is another of the weightless wines here in that it is full of flavor but never heavy. Intense notes of minerality and smokiness grace the textured, sublime finish. This is a fabulous effort from Fevre and Didier Seguier. The Preuses is made from two parcels; the first an east-facing steep slope, the second a flatter parcel richer in clay with a southwest exposure. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019. ” WA Burghound 95 points “discreet touch of wood sets off fresh, cool and reserved aromas that are elegant, airy and citrusy before merging into rich, intense, pure and admirably precise medium-bodied flavors that possess really lovely balance and superb length. While there is also an almost invisible hint of wood on the backend, it should be absorbed quickly and overall, this is a spherical wine of perfect proportions and class.” BH
William Fevre Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 33 bottles available
Burghound 96 points “This is arguably the most elegant wine in the range with its ultra-pure aromas of quinine, oyster shell, mineral reduction and floral elements that are also trimmed in just enough wood to warrant commenting on it. There is a caressing, even seductive mouth feel to the beautifully well-delineated and concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess an almost delicate quality before culminating in a nearly startlingly explosive finish that just goes on and on. This bone dry effort is an exercise in harmony and grace, or otherwise expressed, a classic Preuses. In a word, brilliant.” BH
William Fevre Vaudesir, Chablis Grand Cru 2007 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 3 bottles available
Burghound 94 points “This is even more elegant than it usually is, which is saying something as there is a good argument to be made that the Fèvre Vaudésir is the current reference standard for the vineyard though I hasten to add that it’s by no means an open and shut case. A pure and almost delicate nose that is decidedly more austere than virtually any of the preceding wines opens with a classic and exceptionally airy green fruit aromatic profile brimming with Chablis character that is followed by rich, full, naturally sweet and equally powerful flavors of simply incredible purity and focus as they finish with outstanding intensity that is borderline painful. This is a dramatic wine yet perfectly composed with a pronounced stony quality and the backend is bone dry and almost salty.” BH
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Pale, bright yellow. Discreet, very pure aromas of lemon, crushed stone, white pepper and flowers. Highly concentrated, supple and silky, with lovely deep minerality giving this wine another dimension and contributing to its impression of personality. This very rich and tactile wine finishes with terrific cut and a distinctly saline quality that’s supported by fresh citrus fruit. A perfect example of the way a normally warmer terroir can outperform in a cool year.” ST
William Fevre Vaudesir, Chablis Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 21 bottles available
Burghound 94 points “A mildly exotic and atypically reticent nose that is ripe yet airy showcases aromas of orange peel, peach and hints of roasted nut and iodine, before leading to rich, even opulent medium plus weight flavors that are delicious, round and strikingly persistent on the mouth coating and moderately austere finish. This has really come together since I last saw it and like the Bougros, this is quite a bit more refined than I’m used to seeing. An excellent example.” BH
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Les Beauregards, Chablis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($44.95) $41.90 special, 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A gorgeous, totally expressive wine, the 2012 Chablis Beauregard sizzles on the palate with intense, piercing acidity and fabulous overall balance. This is one of the brighter, more intensely saline wines in the range. With time in the glass, the fruit begins to open up, adding texture and richness to the underlying beams of minerality. In 2012, the Beauregard is marked by a real sense of phenolic weight and richness, with distinct red-fruit overtones that are impossible to miss.”
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Pale yellow-gold. Aromas of orange zest and spices are complicated by a trace of nutty lees. Plump, broad, spicy and sweet, showing fine-grained, open-knit flavors of very ripe peach and soft citrus fruits. Distinctly sweeter than the Cote de Jouan but the dusty, tactile finish displays precise notes of tangerine and minerals.” ST
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Cote de Jouans, Chablis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($44.95) $41.90 special, 19 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Thomas Pico’s 2012 Chablis Côtes de Jouan is soft, supple and hugely delicious to the core. Ripe apricot, peach, cinnamon and crushed rock blossom in a Chablis built on pure texture and resonance. Bright saline notes kick in the finish, adding a further layer of complexity to this striking Chablis. As always, the Côtes de Jouan is the most overt and forward of the wines at Pattes Loup. Thomas Pico’s preference for picking late comes through noticeably here.”
Wine Advocate 90-91+ points “Through vintage 2011, the wines were raised in older barriques, but beginning with 2012, Pico has introduced some new demi-muids crafted in France and Austria (from French oak). From barrel, the Pattes Loup 2012 Chablis Cotes de Jouan delivers a chalky, bright lemony, piquantly fruit pit-tinged performance that searches every recess of one-s palate, then leaves it feeling cleansed and invigoratingly scoured even as mineral, citric and cyanic notes deposit a long-lasting and mouthwatering residue. Look for a run of excitingly intense if potentially sparely-textured performances through at least 2020. ” WA
Domaine Servin Butteaux, Chablis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-92+ points “Fresh lime and lemon brightness typical for this vintage and this relatively cool, clay-rich site are wreathed in iris and gentian on the nose of Servin’s 2012 Chablis Butteaux. A firmer palate and more restrained subtlety of floral and mineral elements than in most of the other wines of its collection, gives way to an impressively focused and pure-fruited finish transparent to chalk and flowers and tinged with mouthwatering salinity. Look for outstanding showings through at least 2020.” WA
Domaine Servin Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90-91+ points “The tank-raised Servin 2012 Chablis Vaillons features very ripe pear, peach, and pineapple with faintly volatile and distilled fruit overtones juxtaposed with stone and ash, and laced with welcome salinity that helps guarantee a mouthwatering extension.” WA
Domaine Servin Petit Chablis Sur Les Clos 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 4 bottles available
“(bottled two weeks before my visit; nearly 13% alcohol; from the plateau above Les Clos): Exotic orange on the nose and palate. Juicy, soft and easygoing, offering good texture for the category and a lightly saline finish.”–Stephen Tanzer
Rene et Vincent Dauvissat-Camus Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2011 750 ($249.95) $219 special, 5 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points, Stephen Tanzer 94(+?) points “(these vines were planted in 1970): Reticent aromas of citrus zest, warm stones, baked bread and white flowers. The palate offers compelling sucrosite perfectly buffered by a bright lemon flavor and an underlying crushed-rock character that stands in for the wine’s average acidity. Very young but already long on personality. Finishes with piquant saline and stone notes.” ST
Domaine Henri Gouges Clos des Porrets Monopole Blanc, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 6 bottles available
VinopolNote: This white wine is produced from a white mutation of Pinot Noir discovered and propagated by the Domaine, known as Pinot Gouges.
Domaine Aurelien Verdet Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits Le Prieure Blanc 2010 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 6 bottles available
White Burgundy – Cote de Beaune
Domaine Blain-Gagnard Morgeot, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2009 Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot shows the breadth of this site in its rich, generous fruit. Despite its size, the Morgeot retains gorgeous freshness and vivacity, although the style is very much one that emphasizes a soft, textured expression of fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2012+. ” WA
Maison Deux Montille Soeur et Frere Champ Gain, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2010 Puligny-Montrachet Champ Gains is another round, harmonious wine well-suited for near-term drinking. Light floral notes develop in the glass, giving the 2010 an extra dimension of volume and texture that flows through to a gracious finish supported by insistent veins of minerality. This is another utterly delicious wine with plenty of 2010 vintage character. Anticipated maturity: 2012+.”WA
Domaine des Lambrays Clos du Cailleret, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($159.95) $139 special, 2 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “Here the nose is similar to that of the Folatières but is more complex still as there are spice and more obvious stone hints that carry over to the exceptionally well-detailed and highly energetic flavors where the underlying minerality seems extracted directly from liquid rock. There is excellent mid-palate concentration as well as a lovely interplay between the acidity, fruit and supporting dry extract, all wrapped in an explosive finish. Classy and impeccably well-balanced juice.”BH
Domaine Leflaive Sous le Dos d’Ane, Meursault Premier Cru 2012 750ML (179$.95) $149 special, 12 bottles available
Burghound 89-92 points “While there is noticeable reduction it’s not so much that the ripeness of the underlying fruit cannot be seen. The mouth feel of the medium weight flavors is finer than the Puligny villages but not as concentrated and here too there is that lovely sense of tension to the clean, dry, linear and citrus-inflected finale. This will also need a minimum of 3 to 5 years of cellar time before it will begin to display some of its potential.” BH
Domaine Leflaive Clavoillon, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “(tasted near the end of its malolactic fermentation): Peach and a grilled note on the nose and palate; still a bit lactic. Fatter and sweeter than the village wine but suaver too. Finishes broad, quite dry and long. This struck me as like a baby Batard.” ST
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 2011 750ML ($.95) $79 special, bottles available
Burghound 88-91 points “A similar if less expressive nose is trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is really lovely purity of expression to the energetic and beautifully well-detailed medium weight flavors that are notably tighter and better focused before terminating in a lightly mineral-inflected, dry and persistent finish. This should also be lovely with a few years of bottle age.”BH
Domaine Leflaive Les Pucelles, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “Pale, bright yellow. Ripe, rich aromas of peach fuzz and grilled nuts, plus a distinct cyanic peach pit note. Offers impressive volume without undue weight, with the fruit currently in the deep background as the malo is in its latter stages. Best today on the subtle, slowly mounting finish, which displays terrific mineral grip. This should age gracefully and last well.” ST
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles available
John Gilman 92 points: “The 2012 Puligny villages from the estate is quite tightly-knit and pure out of the blocks, with a lovely synthesis of totally beguiling fruit tones and great minerality. The outstanding bouquet delivers a blend of apple, a touch of tangerine, beautifully complex minerality, a touch of beeswax, citrus zest, apple blossoms and a deft touch of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and racy, with stunning transparency (particularly for a village level Puligny), a fine core, excellent focus and grip and a very long, snappy and relatively youthful finish.”
Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 2011 375ML ($41.95) $33 special, 9 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 87-90 points “(I tasted an assemblage of all five components): Sexy nose combines white flowers, spices and musky lees. Fat, plush and sweet, with a firm mineral edge giving the mid-palate a more chiseled quality than the Chassagne villages. The citrus and dusty stone finish conveys an impression of grip and firmness.” ST
Domaine Faiveley Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($269.95) $199 special, bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Palish green-yellow. Crushed stone, lemon-lime, hazelnut and a whiff of leesy complexity on the explosive nose. Boasts terrific density and sucrosite but with excellent acid backbone and firm minerality providing lift and shape. Best today on the long finish, which features palate-staining red grapefruit and crushed stone flavors. These 50-year-old vines are planted in deep soil, but there’s a lot of minerality in the subsoil, notes Hervet. Offers superb potential, but the 2008 may be even better.”ST
Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($249.95) $177 special, 7 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 95-97 points “Aroma of cold steel. Great energy to the flavors of crushed rock and citrus fruits. A wine of outstanding richness and chewy texture, this Corton-Charlemagne washes over the palate like a wave. An infant today but destined for a long life in bottle. Conveys an impression of great solidity. (I also loved the Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet for its exhilarating acid/sugar balance and spicy, citric intensity, but neither it nor Faiveley’s more austere Batard was near the end of its secondary fermentation. The Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatieres showed a piquant floral quality and terrific sappy length.)”ST
Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 18 bottles available
Burghound 92-94 points “Here too the wood treatment is quite deft which allows the cool Granny Smith apples, pear, wet stone and spice scents to shine. There is also a seductive mouth feel to the broad-shouldered, supple and round flavors that brim with dry extract before displaying plenty of power and punch on the seriously long finish. This is easily the most backward wine in the range at present yet the impression is unusually fine, both in the context of the appellation but also in the context of this wine in general as it’s usually more robust. Be all of that as it may, this is very, very promising.”BH
Domaine Faiveley Les Folatieres, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 90-93 points ‘Outstanding’ “A beautifully complex, cool and elegant nose of acacia blossom, white orchard fruit and plenty of wet stone nuances complements the equally stony, intense and ultra-pure medium weight flavors that possess outstanding detail and verve. I very much like the balance and refinement and this should be accessible young as there is fine mid-palate concentration and plenty of extract which imparts a fleshy mouth feel.”BH
Jean-Philippe Fichet Les Referts, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91+ points “Pale, bright yellow. Musky peach and a metallic quality on the reticent nose. Generous, ripe and silky, with a concentrated peach flavor nicely framed by excellent acidity. Less complex and showy today than the Tesson but with lovely underlying floral character. In a classically dry style but has the stuffing to support its firm spine of acidity. Finishes with considerable finesse and excellent length.”
Francois Carillon Les Combettes, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 21 bottles available
Burghound 90-92 points “This is also relatively reduced and difficult to read. There is a wonderfully elegant mouth feel to the vibrant, intense and well-delineated medium-bodied flavors that exude a lovely mineral streak on the saline-infused finish. This is not especially dense but the complexity and overall sense of refinement make for a harmonious effort that is worth considering.”BH
Francois Carillon Les Folatieres, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “In a very ripe, powerful style, with aromas of peach and stone joined by spices and a saline quality in the mouth. Fat and round but firmed by palate-dusting minerality. Finishes fruit-driven and strong, with a hint of dusty tannins and a note of clove.”ST
Francois Carillon Les Referts, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 11 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points “A reductive note along with a touch of petrol presently dominates the nose. There is a silky mouth feel to the solidly well-concentrated, intense and vibrant middle weight flavors where the underlying mineral component is even more prominent, all wrapped in a gorgeously long finish. This is not quite as refined as the Combettes but there’s just more here.”BH
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny Les Beaune Blanc 2011 750ML ($41.95) $28 special, 14 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Sweet aromas of burning vine cuttings lead to lemon cake, apple and mineral flavors in this well-textured white. Firms up on the finish, with lingering lemon and stone notes. Best from 2015 through 2020.” WS
Domaine Henri Boillot Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 2 bottles available
Burghound 95 points ‘Don’t Miss!’ “There is just enough reduction present to suppress the nose though it seems reasonably clear that it is both ripe and clean. There is superb size, weight and mid-palate density to the mouth coating big-bodied flavors that ooze dry extract that does a fine job of buffering the firm acid spine on the very dry, even saline-infused finish. While I would call this a wine of finesse in the same vein as the Bienvenues, it is relatively fine in the context of the appellation. Either way, this delivers outstanding quality though be aware that it’s going to need plenty of cellar time.”BH
Domaine Henri Boillot Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 12 bottles available
Burghound 94 points “This is also notably ripe but the aromas do not run to the exotic as the honeysuckle, apricot, white peach and subtle spice notes are entirely classic. There is an appealing succulence to the delicious, intense and strikingly fine medium-bodied flavors and while there is certainly a sense of focused power present on the long, clean and refined finish, this is essentially a Bienvenues of finesse.”BH
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Chaumees, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($84.95) $69 special, 12 bottles available
Burghound 91 points ‘Outstanding’ “This is aromatically quite different from the Embrazées with an exceptionally pure and cool nose that features extract of white orchard fruit, lemon zest, wet stone and subtle spice nuances. There is a sophisticated mouth feel to the generous yet refined middle weight flavors that possess a remarkably well-delineated, even chiseled finish that avoids any hint of austerity.”BH
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Embrazees, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 92 points “An elegant and attractively cool nose of stone, pear and citrus nuances gives way to well-delineated and energetic flavors that terminate in a cuts-like-a-knife and mineral-inflected finish. This is also very dry with fine complexity and almost Chablis-like salinity on the balanced backend.”BH
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Embrazees, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 11 bottles available
Burghound 90 points “A discreet application of oak surrounds the notably ripe aromas of several different yellow orchard fruit scents along with hints of the exotic. There is an appealing succulence to the broad-scaled flavors that manage to retain a fine sense of detail on the lightly mineral-driven, saline and vibrant finish. If this can add a bit more depth with time in the cellar my score may prove to be overly conservative.”BH
Domaine Henri Boillot Criots-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 2 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “Moderate wood frames ripe, dense and expressive yellow orchard fruit that also evidences discreet notes of exotic elements. The equally well-concentrated, powerful and imposingly scaled flavors possess an abundance of palate soaking dry extract, indeed so much so that this displays an almost chewy mouth feel on the massively persistent finish. This is not at present extraordinarily complex though there is so much material that my score offers the benefit of the doubt that it will develop in time as this will need at least a decade to arrive at its peak.”BH
Domaine Henri Boillot Criots-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($269.95) $219 special, 9 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “This is notably riper than the Caillerets with overtly exotic dried yellow fruit, spice and floral aromas. There is outstanding richness to the powerful and broad-shouldered flavors that possess a distinctly muscular mouth feel before culminating in an opulent, clean and very dry finish. This retains a fine sense of balance and while there is certainly fine complexity, it isn’t at the same level as displayed by the other grands crus in the range.”BH
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($.95) $79 special, bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Pale, bright yellow-green. Subtle aromas of lemon, vanilla, white flowers and hawthorn. Silky and creamy on the palate, with a fine-grained texture and a touch of salinity. A delicate style of Charmes with an understated, slowly building finish. All in finesse.” ST
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Poruzots, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($99.95) $75 special, 8 bottles available
Burghound 91 points ‘Outstanding “This is quite floral with additional aromas of white peach, yellow orchard fruit and resin. There is good volume and plenty of power to the sappy and mouth coating medium weight plus flavors that possess fine depth and excellent persistence. This is a big but balanced wine and very Poruzots in character.” BH
Domaine Henri Boillot Clos de la Mouchere, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 95 (+?) points “Bright pale yellow. Soil-driven aromas of grapefruit, fresh dill and flinty minerality. Dense and brisk on entry, with outstanding grand cru intensity to the lemon and crushed stone flavors. Conveys a strong impression of silex. This boasts the sappiness of the best 2010s and finishes with outstanding stony, citric persistence. Like a slap in the face today, this wine demands at least several years of bottle aging, at which point it may merit an even higher score.” ST
Domaine Henri Boillot Puligny Montrachet Les Combettes, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 bottles available
Burghound 93 points ‘Sweet Spot Outstanding’ “(the first vintage of this wine for Boillot, following his recent purchase of this parcel): Pale green-tinged color. Sexy aromas of lemon, lime, ripe stone fruits and hazelnut. Lush and fine-grained, with silky flavors of stone fruits and hazelnut. Can’t quite match the Folatieres for finesse, but this has more volume and power.” ST
Louis Jadot Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($314.95) $249 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “Butter, floral and spice aromas and rich peach and melon flavors come together with the creamy texture in this intense and opulent white. Harmonious and expressive, but this will be even better in two to three years. Offers a lingering, complex aftertaste, where a mineral element emerges. Best from 2016 through 2027.”
John Gilman 95 points “The 2011 Bâtard-Montrachet from Louis Jadot is another brilliant wine in the making, soaring from the glass in a deep and very youthful aromatic blend of apple, lime zest, tangerine, complex soil tones, a touch of iodine and a gentle base of new wood. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very powerfully-built, with a rock solid core, snappy acids and stunning focus and grip on the very young, structured and magical finish. A very pure and racy example of young Bâtard-Montrachet that has been built to last!…” JG
Louis Jadot Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($359.95) $279 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2012 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru has a richer, more tropical-scented bouquet compared to the Bienvenue. The palate is smooth and rounded, rich and mellifluous in the mouth with a long, seductive finish that needs just a little more tension and poise.” WA
Louis Jadot Chassagne-Montrachet 2011 750ML ($54.95) $44 special, 9 bottles available
John Gilman 91+ points “The 2011 Jadot white Burgundy village wines are exceptionally strong in this vintage, and the Chassagne AC looks to be the pick of the litter! The deep and excellent bouquet offers up a classic mélange of apple, orange, lime zest, deep soil tones, vanillin oak and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, young and very deep, with a lovely sense of reserve, crisp acids and a very long, poised and laser-like finish of superb length and grip. The domaine has really been making an effort to produce better and better wines at the village wine level and these 2011s show that the effort has really paid off! A superb wine.” JG
Louis Jadot Domaine des Heritiers Les Demoiselles Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($399.95) $319 special, 3 bottles available
Burghound 93-95 points “An ultra-pure and high-toned nose of wet stone, spiced pear and acacia blossom and green apple is also trimmed in just enough oak to notice. The markedly stony broad-shouldered and tautly muscular flavors possess almost painful intensity on the crystalline and explosively long finish. 2011 is a vintage where the Demoiselles is bigger than it typically is yet there is absolutely no loss of refinement or elegance.” BH
Louis Jadot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($139.95) $119 special, 8 bottles available
Burghound 92-95 points “Like the Montrachet, this is also presently quite aromatically reticent with its aromas of lemon/lime, wet stone and Granny Smith apples that are trimmed in a subtle application of warm oak. The equally expansive, taut and well-muscled broad-shouldered flavors possess an ample amount of dry extract and intensity on the driving finish that exhibits a faint saline character. I very much like the intensity here as well as the very dry backend and this should be superb if allowed adequate cellar time.”
Louis Jadot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($189.95) $129 special, 13 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 96 points “Brilliant pale yellow. Precise, penetrating aromas of green melon, ginger, quinine and dusty stone. Silky on entry, then sappy and deep in the middle, with a powerful crushed stone character and strong limey acidity combining to give the wine uncanny energy. This is almost painful today. This extremely dense, long wine may ultimately surpass Jadot’s Chevalier-Montrachet.”
Louis Jadot Montrachet Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 3 bottles available
John Gilman 95+ points “The 2009 Jadot Montrachet (which hails from the Chassagne side of the vineyard, by the way) is also exceptional. The nose offers up a great and compelling mélange of apple, white peach, lemon, great minerality, floral tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and superbly structured, with a rock solid core of fruit, beautiful focus and balance, impeccable grip and a very long, racy and refined finish. A wonderful bottle of wine. 2020-2050”
Louis Jadot Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($419.95) $349 special, 6 bottles available
Burghound 94-97 points “Here the nose is notably more reserved with aromas of citrus zest, spice, wood toast, fennel and spice hints. This is also a very imposingly-scaled wine with its big, muscular and wonderfully complex flavors that culminate in a long, focused and explosive finish of breathtaking length and intensity. This overtly powerful effort should reward at least a decade in the cellar and drink well for another. A ‘wow’ wine.” BH
Louis Jadot Meursault 2011 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 9 bottles available
John Gilman 91 points “The 2011 Meursault AC from Maison Jadot was really singing at the time of my visit and should prove to be an admirable value in this vintage. The very stylish nose offers up a complex base of apple, pear, tangerine, lightly-toasted almonds, spring flowers, chalky soil tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and complex, with fine focus and backend bounce, a very good core, zesty acids and excellent focus and grip on the very long and well-balanced finish. A fine, fine village wine” JG
Louis Jadot Puligny-Montrachet 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles available
Burghound 89-91 points “There is enough reduction present to render the nose hard to assess but the underlying fruit appears to be ripe. There is very fine volume and very good mid-palate concentration as the extract really coats the palate while simultaneously buffering the moderately firm acid spine on the seductively textured, clean and attractively dry finish. As is so often the case with this wine, it is an excellent villages and well worth considering.” BH
Louis Jadot Referts, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Very pale greenish-yellow color. Precise but restrained aromas of white peach, lime and mint. Juicy, firm and pure; not a particularly fat wine but still supple and pliant, showing good energy and lemony cut. Finishes brisk, pristine and floral. A big success in 2011, from vines harvested six days after the Combettes due to very slow ripening. Sexy already.” ST
Louis Jadot Domaine Gagey Clos des Guettes Blanc, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 18 bottles available
John Gilman 90 points “The 2011 Clos des Guettes blanc is again a very pretty wine, with that telltale touch of pastry cream on both the nose and palate that indicates the malo was partially blocked here. The stylish and inviting bouquet is a lovely mélange of apple, orange, crème patissière, stony minerality and a touch of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and quite driven by its underlying minerality, with snappy acids and very fine length and grip on the youthful finish. This is very tasty, but will want a year or two in the cellar to fully blossom…” JG
Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($269.95) $199 special, 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94(+?) points “Full bright, pale yellow. White peach, pear and a whiff of orange zest on the nose. The flavors of stone fruits and minerals offer terrific penetration and intensity thanks to superb acidity and the low yield of the year. No easy sweetness about this one! Wonderfully tactile, brisk wine with chewy, saline finishing flavors that resound on the aftertaste. One of two barrels was new in 2010; Boudot made three and a half barrels in the more generous 2011 vintage.”ST
Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot La Garenne, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Pale bright yellow. Musky aromas of peach, citrus fruits and acacia flower. Juicy, intense and penetrating, with brisk citrus fruits and minerals dominating. Denser and riper than the 2011 version. Excellent acidity here: this vineyard almost always produces a fresh style. A superb vintage for this bottling, finishing very long and perfumed.”ST
Domaine Vincent & Francois Jouard Morgeot Les Fairendes Vieilles Vignes, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2012 ($79.95) $59 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot “Les Fairendes” comes from the single lieu-dit: around 0.97-hectares planted in the 1930s. It has fine delineation on the nose: crisp lemon peel and orange scents intermingling with dried yellow flowers – delicate, dainty. The palate is very well balanced with a great sense of tension and poise, struck through with great nervosite that builds towards a refined, lightly spice-tinged finish. One of the best from the domaine this year.” WA
Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre 2011 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Meursault Clos de la Barre was raised in used oak and bottled a little later than Dominique’s other 2011s. It has a generous bouquet that is spicier than the Village Cru with hints of smoked walnut emerging with time. The palate takes the tempo down a notch: mellow, refined and harmonious with beautifully integrated oak and a sumptuous lightly honeyed finish. Lovely. Drink now-2022+.” WA
Domaine des Comtes Lafon Genevrieres, Meursault Premier Cru2007 750ML ($319.95) $289 special, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Knockout aromas of musky lime, lemon, minerals and powdered stone; nothing exotic about this. Rich, sweet and wonderfully pure, offering an uncanny combination of intensity, power and elegance. Finishes with explosive length. An outstanding bottle of Meursault.” ST
Domaine des Comtes Lafon Les Gouttes d’Or, Meursault Premier Cru2010 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Pale bright yellow. Superripe aromas of pineapple, peach and apricot verge on exotic. Sweet mid-palate fruit is nicely balanced by juicy acidity, which gives lift and a light touch to the peach and pear flavors. Finishes long and perfumed, with noteworthy breed for this bottling. Lovely wine with good aging potential.”ST
Domaine des Comtes Lafon Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru2009 750ML ($259.95) $219 special, 2 bottles available
Burghound 92-94 points “Aromatically, this is almost a hypothetical blend of the Genevrières and the Goutte d’Or but here there is even more intensity to the mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that evidence really lovely purity of expression on the explosive and driving finish. This is clearly a Charmes from the upper part of the vineyard as there is none of the borderline excessive generosity of the lower portion.”BH
Lucien Le Moine Les Folatieres, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($149.95) $133 special, 8 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91-94 points “The 2011 Puligny-Montrachet Folatieres is going to need serious time to come together. Today, it is the wine’s persistence and textural finesse that stand out most, even if all the elements haven’t fully come together just yet. There is a lot to look forward to here. It will be interesting to see if the wine retains the powerful personality that is on display today, or if further time in barrel tames some of the exuberance.” AG
Lucien Le Moine Abbaye de Morgeot, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($139.95) $119 special, 2 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “The 2011 Chassagne-Montrachet Abbaye de Morgeot leaves an impression of Pinot-like depth. A broad-shouldered, intense wine, the 2011 boasts tons of class and potential. The flavors remain quite floral and bright, but with plenty of underlying structure. This is going to be a fascinating wine to follow.” AG
Lucien Le Moine Les Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, 7 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92-95 points “Bright beams of minerality run through the 2011 Meursault Charmes. This is without question one of the more focused, structured and tight Charmes of the year. The 2011 boasts remarkable polish in its flavors and texture. A rich, insistent finish rounds things out nicely. There is plenty of potential here, but readers are going to have to be patient.” AG
Lucien Le Moine Les Genevrieres, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($149.95) $133 special, 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Orange oil and a hint of fresh pineapple on the nose; reminded me a bit of a German riesling. Intensely flavored and glyceral too, with sneaky sweetness leavened by ripe pineappley acidity. Very tactile, superconcentrated wine with broad shoulders (Saouma describes it as “a red wine made from chardonnay”) and a seriously palate-saturating finish. These 60-year-old vines always maintain very good acidity, notes Saouma. Exciting potential.” ST
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Les Combes, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 3+cases available
Burghound 90 points “Outstanding. A mild touch of reduction is still sufficient to render the nose difficult to properly evaluate. There is fine volume and plenty of punch to the delineated and tension-filled middle weight flavors that possess an appealing succulence on the lightly mineral-inflected and citrusy finish that offers fine length if not quite the same overall depth as the En Montceau. Still, this is lovely stuff and recommended.” BH
Olivier Leflaive Les Folatieres, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 2 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points “A discreet touch of wood frames an elegant and quite pretty nose of lemon, stone, pear and floral scents that gives way to exceptionally rich yet attractively well-detailed medium-bodied flavors that possess a seductive mouth feel. There is excellent cut and punch to the lingering finish and overall, this is really very stylish.”BH
Philippe Colin Les Chenevottes, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($84.95) $69 special, 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Bright straw-yellow. Complex, expressive aromas of pear, fresh peach and spices; much fruitier than the Vergers. A rich, dense orchard-fruit-and-spice bomb with terrific acid lift to buffer its sweetness. This tastes sweeter than the Vergers. Finishes broad, powerful and long, with resounding floral character.”ST
Philippe Colin Chassagne-Montrachet 2010 750ML ($64.95) $51.90 special, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “(the only 2010 that was bottled before the 2011 harvest; the rest were bottled between January and March of this year): Bright lemon-yellow. Lemon, peach, pear and wet stone on the nose, plus a hint of toast. Offers impressive tension and penetration for village wine, with sweet white peach and lemon peel fruit flavors building nicely on the vibrant finish. Quite rich but youthfully imploded: I’d give this at least two or three years in the cellar.”ST
Domaine de La Pousse d’Or Le Cailleret, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($189.95) $119 special, 4 bottles available
Burghound 92 points “A deft touch of wood frames lemon and moderately exotic fruit aromas that include peach, mango and pear. There is excellent richness to the full-bodied, dense and mineral-inflected flavors that culminate in a naturally sweet, sappy and generous finish. This delicious effort is blessed with plenty of dry extract and while not classic in character, it’s really quite attractive all the same”BH
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($549.95) $499 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2012 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru might turn out to be Pierre-Yves Colin’s finest achievement in 2012–including the Chevalier-Montrachet. It already offers a very expressive and lively bouquet with ebullient aniseed scents soaring from the glass, all with super delineation. The palate is medium-bodied, vibrant with hints of lemongrass and ginger. This Batard is very intense and concentrated for what is habitually a reticent Grand Cru in its youth, while the finish soars away. This is a grand cru revving up on the starting line. Climb on board.” WA
Burghound 91-94 points “There is a deft but visible application of wood setting off strong reductive notes. There is excellent power and concentration to the mouth coating and extract-rich broad-shouldered flavors that possess more refinement than the Corton-Charlemagne along with outstanding length on the balanced finish. This should be accessible after 5 years or so of bottle age but should reward up to a decade’s worth.” BH
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($449.95) $319 special, 2 bottles available
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Chassagne-Montrachet Les Ancegnieres 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 5 bottles available
Burghound 88-91 points “Strong sulfur-based aromas presently dominate the nose. By contrast there is a lovely sense of purity to the broad-shouldered and robust medium weight flavors that brim with dry extract on the very generously proportioned, long and well-balanced finish. This is a big wine by the typical standards of villages level wines and one that should also be approachable after only a few years of bottle age.” BH
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Les Chenevottes, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2012 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Chenevotte has a lovely openness and airiness on the nose that is in contrast to the Les Champs Gain. The palate is lively and energetic on the entry with a racy citric thread and a wonderful saline note on the persistent finish. There is great potential here.” WA
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles available
Burghound 91-93 points “Once again reduction flattens the fruit and renders the nose difficult to evaluate. There is excellent richness and superb volume to the muscular and quite fleshy middle weight plus flavors that display plenty of stoniness on the very rich and mouth coating finish. This is a big wine even by the typically full-sized standards of the appellation yet there is no sense of heaviness or lack of vibrancy.” BH
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Criots-Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru 11 750ML ($449.95) $339 special, 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94-96 points “Exotic white flowers, ginger, white pepper and lychee are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2011 Criots-Batard-Montrachet, a wine that dazzles from start to finish. The 2011 is pure seduction. Captivating aromatics, beautifully layered fruit and fabulous persistence are the hallmarks. Colin-Morey thought the 2011 needed a little more time in cask, and planned to bottle the wine later in the summer.” AG
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Montrachet Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($1199.95) $999 special, 1 bottle available
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles available
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Charmes, Meursault Premier Cru 2012 1.5L ($379.95) $319 special, bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points –Outstanding–“Once again there is that pungent combination of petrol and reduction dominating the nose. The beguilingly textured and extract-rich medium weight flavors possess superb depth on the balanced and strikingly persistent finish. This is really very good and I especially like the refinement and overall sense of harmony.” BH
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Meursault Les Narvaux 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles available
Burghound 87-90 points “Even though this is quite strongly reduced the underlying fruit seems cooler and less evidently ripe compared to the nose of the Caillerets. The clean, intense and highly energetic middle weight flavors exude a fine minerality on the saline-inflected finish that offers good length but much less overall depth.” BH
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Les Champlots, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 1er 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 11 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Healthy pale yellow. Restrained aromas of lemon and spices. Less fat and more gripping than the Blanc, delivering very good precision and intensity to the mineral and spice flavors. This very well-balanced Saint-Aubin finishes with enticing lemony cut and plenty of personality. (Incidentally, Colin bottled his Saint-Aubin wines last November, and the rest of the 2012s in April of this year.)” ST
Nicolas Potel Maison Roche de Bellene Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 12 bottles available
Thomas Morey Clos Saint-Jean, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 6 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “An exceptionally fresh, cool and airy nose exhibits both white and yellow orchard fruit along with soft floral and mineral hints where the latter element is also reflected by the impressively rich yet solidly energetic and well-detailed flavors. I like the sense of refinement to the mouth coating and focused finish that delivers fine persistence and lovely balance. A quality white from an appellation that is quite rightly better known for its reds.”
White Burgundy – Maconnais, Cote Chalonnaise and Bourgogne Blanc
Jean Thevenet Domaine de la Bongran Vire-Clesse Cuvee Tradition E.J. Thevenet 2008 ($47.95) $39 special, 11 bottles available
Caroline Parent Bourgogne Chardonnay 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 23 bottles available
Maison Deux Montille Soeur et Frere Les Coeres, Montagny Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright pale yellow. Tight, pure aromas of lime, quinine and ginger. Chewy, dense and rich, with brisk citrus fruits and saline minerality energizing the middle palate. Finishes tactile and impressively long for Montagny.”
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 6 bottles available
Burgound 86-89 points “A very pretty and reasonably complex nose features notes of citrus peel, white flower and peach aromas. There is good vibrancy to the lightly mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that possess good verve and better than average depth and length. This should be very good and is worth a look.” BH
Domaine Henri Gouges Bourgogne Pinot Blanc 2012 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 8 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 88 points “The 2012 Bourgogne Pinot Blanc is gorgeous in this vintage. White flowers, white peaches, lemon and mint all take shape in the glass. The flavors are bright and focused, but texturally the wine is pretty, supple and very nicely put together. The style is high-toned and aromatically expressive, which is quite typical of whites from the Hautes Côtes de Nuits.” AG
Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot Meix Cadot, Rully Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 1 bottle available
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Blanc 2009 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 10 bottles available
“Floral aromas add interest to this vibrant, lime- and apple-infused white. A hint of seashore leads to a racy finish.” — Wine Spectator
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Blanc Fleurs de Vignes NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 1 bottles available
A blend of 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages.
Domaine Remi Jobard Bourgogne Blanc 2011 750ML ($37.95) $28 special, 7 bottles available
Domaine des Heritiers du Comte Lafon Vire-Clesse 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 7 bottles available
Domaine Leflaive Macon-Verze 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 3+ cases available
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligote 2009 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 18 bottles available
Domaine Leroy Bourgogne Aligote 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles available
Domaine Sangouard-Guyot Pouilly-Fuisse Quintessence 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 16 bottles available