Tag Archives: Premier Cru

Wine of the Day: Domaine Henri Boillot Les Lavieres, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2011 7-7-16

Domaine Henri Boillot Les Lavieres, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $49 special

Domaine Henri Boillot Les Lavieres, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2011

A very distinguished gentleman came into Vinopolis today looking for fine Burgundy. Before buying a case of 2011 Domaine Henri Boillot Savigny 1er Cru Les Lavières, he asked us to open it, so we did. Lucky us. The Côte de Beaune’s unmistakable perfume wafted out of the glass like ripe roses in early summer: raspberry, plum, red currant, and hints of earthy sous-bois. Exquisite. On the palate, the wine revealed its 2011 character, which is light-bodied, with fine tannins and perky acidity. Refreshing. Our esteemed customer was kind enough to leave the open bottle for us to appreciate, and with time we noticed how nicely the wine opened up even more. The finish became increasingly elegant, lingering like Mademoiselle Savigny had kissed us on the cheek. – Daniel

Wine of the Day: Michel Sarrazin Givry 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes 5-21-2016

Michel Sarrazin et Fils Givry Premier Cru Les Vieilles Vignes, Cote Chalonnaise 2013 750ML ($39.95) Buy Now: $33 special

The Sarrazin ‘Givry Rouge VV’ is really punching above its weight here. Old vine Givry – a blend of two premier cru plots, is deceptively complex with a silky and suave display of licorice, black fruit, and a hint of smoke. It’s light on its feet but still quite concentrated; Guy & Jean-Yves are very capable in taking over their father Michel’s estate. Grapes are fermented from native yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks before being raised in a combination of new and old oak barrels. Finally, the wines are bottle unfined and unfiltered. A very worthwhile producer to consider! – Tyler

Wine of the Day: PY Colin-Morey Les Combes, Saint-Aubin 1er Cru 2013 4-30-16

Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Les Combes, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($69.95) Buy Now: $59 special

Why we love Les Combes: Balance. PYCM’s been putting out white wines with such consistency over the past few years, this gem most certainly notwithstanding. They’re drinking well now and they’ll only continue to do so… – Tyler

Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2013 Saint Aubin les Combes has another very expressive bouquet with hints of mango and overripe Satsumas combining nicely with the mineral component. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, quite refined, although it just eases off a little prematurely on the tapered finish. Otherwise I envisage this slipping down the throat with ease.” WA

Wine of the Day: Aubry de Humbert Premier Cru Champagne 2006 4-25-16

Aubry Cuvee ‘Aubry de Humbert’ Premier Cru Millesime Classique, Champagne 2006 750ML ($89.95) Buy Now: $69 special

Why we love Aubry’s ‘Aubry de Humbert’ Cuvee: Richness. Toast and citrus mingle beautifully with this bottle of bubbles, with a finish as tasty as the wine itself. – Tyler

Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(made from roughly equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and aged for over more than five years on its lees; disgorged June, 2012): Pale gold. Fresh citrus zest, strawberry and quince aromas are deepened by notes of anise, vanilla and musky herbs. Dusty, gripping lemon rind and blood orange flavors give way to deeper red berries in the mid-palate, picking up a hint of chalky minerality on the back half. Finishes with firm grip, very good length and lingering strawberry and vanilla notes.”ST

Chateau Margaux Bordeaux 2009

Chateau Margaux, Margaux, Bordeaux 2009 750ML ($1,199.95) Buy Now: $999 special

Robert Parker 99 points “A brilliant offering from the Mentzelopoulos family, once again their gifted manager, Paul Pontallier, has produced an uncommonly concentrated, powerful 2009 Chateau Margaux made from 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. As with most Medocs, the alcohol here is actually lower (a modest 13.3%) than most of its siblings-. Abundant blueberry, cassis and acacia flower as well as hints of charcoal and forest floor aromas that are almost Burgundian in their complexity are followed by a wine displaying sweet, well-integrated tannins as well as a certain ethereal lightness despite the wine’s overall size. Rich, round, generous and unusually approachable for such a young Margaux, this 2009 should drink well for 30-35+ years.”

Ian D’Agata – Vinous 97-100 points “(a blend of 87% cabernet sauvignon, 9% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; pH 3.79; 13.3% alcohol; represents a stringent 36% selection) Good full ruby-red. Pure, ripe aromas of cassis, graphite and cedar, lifted by floral and mineral high notes. Dense and amazingly concentrated yet light on its feet, with compelling, extremely pure flavors of spicy blackcurrant, tobacco leaf and minerals. The extremely long, slow-building and wonderfully fine-grained finish offers an exhilarating combination of power and sweetness. This comes across as quite backward today yet is anything but austere. A real essence of Margaux’s great terroir, and one of my favorite wines of the vintage. As I walked to the parking lot with Pontallier after the tasting, he said to me, “If people don’t think this is one of the greatest wines I have ever made, then it means I haven’t really understood anything in the last 30 years spent making wine.””