Beaujolais for Thanksgiving
#Trending Pre-Thanksgiving Bottles
Top Tier Traditional Chablis: Samuel Billaud
The Grand Wines of Grand Veneur
Richebourg, Romanée-St. Vivant, and More! (Hudelot-Noëllat)
High Scoring Restocks
Chandon de Briailles: Classic, Structured and Undervalued
Beaujolais for Thanksgiving
Our Top Picks for the Holiday
Profound Beaujolais. Godard is the next Foillard.
Domaine Mee Godard Morgon Cote de Py, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Heady, mineral-accented aromas of ripe cherry and red berries, with a peppery nuance adding vivacity. At once concentrated and lively, offering intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a sneaky suggestion of spicecake. Picks up a sexy lavender pastille quality on the incisive, sharply focused finish, which hangs on with outstanding tenacity and building minerality.”
Chemarin turned this family domaine around. Bright, fresh, fun.
Nicolas Chemarin Regnie Les Haute Ronze, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Sexy, mineral-laced aromas of ripe red and dark berries, violet and licorice. Sappy and penetrating, offering bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Concentrated yet lithe, delivering excellent finishing clarity and strong, mineral-driven persistence.”
Quintessential Cote de Py, structured and pure.
Chateau Grange Cochard Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Mineral-accented cherry and blackberry aromas are underscored by a spicy element that gains strength as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating, offering sweet dark berry flavors with complicating suggestions of star anise and violet. The spice and floral qualities build steadily through an impressively long, sappy finish, which is framed by harmonious tannins that fold easily into the intense fruit.”
This Rosenthal import sings with depth and vivacity.
Domaine de la Chapelle des Bois Fleurie Cuvee Vieilles Vignes de la Cadole, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
“This cuvée of Fleurie is sourced from a single parcel planted to vines eighty years old. In contrast to the other wines of the domaine, this special selection is aged 12 months in large, older foudres to best express its formidable character. Surprisingly, this structured wine is supremely elegant and fine; and, it is surely capable of providing pleasure over an extended period of time.”–Importer note
OG Gang of Four Morgon. Powerful, electric stuff.
Guy Breton Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Case-12 Guy Breton Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($419.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Limpid violet. A seductively perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, Asian spices and potpourri, and subtle cola and licorice nuances emerge with aeration. Juicy and pure on the palate, offering intense raspberry, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of blood orange. Delivers a serious payload of vibrant berry and spice character without excess weight, and finishes extremely long and nervy, displaying no rough edges and lingering florality.”
The next best price is $34.99
Not Beaujolais, but a great local example of the grape.
Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($21.95) $17 special
Winery note “The Gamay Willamette Valley is our touchstone wine. This is the wine we’ve been making the longest and the one that embodies what we are about. It’s sourced from three Willamette Valley vineyards and then made in the old Beaujolais method of semi carbonic maceration. What does that mean? It means that it’s fucking electric and juicy and cranberry crunchy. As Gamay should be, in our opinion. Just a gorgeous version of this wine.”
#Trending: Pre-Thanksgiving Wines
Feudi di San Gregorio ‘Rubrato’ Aglianico Irpinia, Campania 2015 750ML ($21.95) $17.75 special
Case-12 Feudi di San Gregorio ‘Rubrato’ Aglianico Irpinia, Campania 2015 750ML ($249.95) $184 special (that’s only $15.33/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points “This shows such a beautiful density and texture with licorice and blackberry character. Full and layered yet always tight and focused. A fantastic young red. Drink or hold.”
Tavel is a classic for Thanksgiving for a reason.
Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine Rose, Rhone 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine Rose, Rhone 2017 750ML ($249.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “A dependable producer of Tavel and Lirac (and Châteauneuf-du-Pape), the Lafonds have turned out a spice-driven 2017 Tavel that’s bottled under screwcap. Hints of allspice and clove accent watermelon and red berry flavors, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and richly textured, leading into a long, silky finish. Bravo!”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “The Lafonds turned out a lush 2017 Tavel from their organically farmed vineyards, a wine that balances its sunny generosity with refreshing acidity. It has the girth for meaty dishes, with berry notes that bring red meat to mind, but the herbal and earthy flavors have enough restraint to work with fish, too.”
Joseph Swan Vineyards Ziegler Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2011 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Winery note “Tasting notes: Medium deep garnet color. Aromas of dark berry compote with hints of fig, baking spices and black pepper. In the mouth the aromas are echoed but with a bit more brightness due to its excellent acidity. Still fairly tannic. Decanting and/ or opening a couple of hours ahead of drinking is highly recommended for this young pup!”
Domaine Jean Masson & Fils Savoie Apremont La Dechiree 2017 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Importer note “Shows high acidity with a long finish. The interesting minerality intertwines with notes of tarragon, verbena and orange.”
Winery note “[Translated] A very atypical wine, the Dechiree comes from a hill at the highest point in Apremont. The vineyard is surrounded by brambles (mulberry and raspberry), and the vines offer a powerful wine with a cascade of complex and pronounced aromas. This wine has a nice minerality highlighted by a rich texture. It pairs well with fish in a cream sauce, roasted poultry and lobster.”
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Les Champsalomon, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Silky, this red evokes cherry, strawberry and graphite flavors, with bright acidity keeping this fresh and focused. Harmonious and long, offering a light chalky feel on the finish. Drink now through 2023. 150 cases imported.”
Importer Note “The Marsannay Champsalomon is from the village of Couchey. The 40+ year old vines are on the marl soil of the Ostrea Acuminata.”
From Samuel Billaud
Arriving Wednesday:
Samuel Billaud Grands Terroirs, Chablis 2016 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
“An overtly fruity, fresh and ripe nose reflects moderate amounts of typical Chablis character. The round, rich and generously proportioned flavors possess better depth and length on the reasonably precise and saline-inflected finale. This too should drink well young.” –Burghound
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2016 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre, which underwent 15 months in barrel, has a lovely dried honey and beeswax scented bouquet that gains intensity with aeration. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, fresh and vibrant with a tangy, saliva-inducing saline finish that feels very persistent. Excellent.”
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 90-93 points “The 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Montee de Tonnerre comes from two parcels, one in the titular vineyard and the other in Chapelot, not far from Raveneau. It has quite a stern, focused, flinty bouquet that needs coaxing from the glass. The palate is (again) well balanced with a fine line of acidity. There are subtle notes of white peach and orange zest in situ, although perhaps not quite exuding the persistence of the Mont de Milieu on the finish. Still, this will merit three or four years in bottle.”
Samuel Billaud Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes, Chablis Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2016 Chablis 1Er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes comes from 70-year-old vines raised only in stainless steel. I like the aromatics here…this has a sense of purpose with vivid scents of orange zest and a touch of lychee. The palate is tensile right from the start thanks to that killer line of acidity. There is great depth here and the harmonious finish feels assured and elegant. Great potential and for me this is a serious step up from the Chablis Village and certainly worth the few extra dollars.”
Samuel Billaud Mont de Milieu, Chablis Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2016 Chablis Mont de Milieu 1er Cru was harvested between 25 and 30hl/ha, with 20% aged in wood the rest in stainless steel for 18 months. The slightly longer élevage engenders a more complex bouquet than the Montée de Tonnerre with yellow fruit, green apple, chalk and light musky scents that are very well defined. The palate is very well delineated with a crisp bead of acidity, poised and saline in the mouth and just when you think it will fan out, it segues into a linear and classically lined, understated finish. Excellent.”
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu comes from three different types of vineyards at different altitudes and vine age that are blended together in the vineyard. It has a slightly austere bouquet with fine delineation: granite and flint scents. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity and is very precise and harmonious, with hints of quince and apricot toward the pretty finish. This is another very elegant wine from Samuel Billaud.”
Burghound 90-92 points “Sweet Spot – Outstanding Here too there is a whiff of mineral reduction sitting atop the ever-so-mildly exotic aromas of white peach, citrus rind, spice and enough classic Chablis character to be persuasive. There is notably better energy to the bigger, richer and more concentrated flavors that coat the palate with dry extract while also delivering superior depth and persistence. This is lovely stuff and worth checking out.”
The Grand Wines
Of Domaine Grand Veneur
Alaine Jaume & Fils have become known over the last few decades as one of the preeminent producers of wines in the Southern Rhone. They’re best known for the two estates they manage, Domaine Grand Veneur (Chateauneuf) and Domaine du Clos de Sixte (Lirac) but they’ve also created a number of excellent projects from leased vineyards, as well. In addition to monster scores and high quality, the Jaume wines are known for being excellent value—it’s hard to beat the quality/points to price ratio of these across the board.
Arriving Wednesday:
Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Fontaine Blanc, Rhone 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The flagship 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Fontaine is a more substantial, serious effort that offers notes of caramelized citrus, brioche, honeysuckle and orange blossom. Rich, layered and concentrated, yet also fresh and lively, it’s a terrific white that’s going to sing on the dinner table. Drink it anytime over the coming 4-5 years (it will keep even longer).”
Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines, Rhone 2016 750ML ($69.59) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96+ points “Possibly the finest vintage of this cuvée to date, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Origines (50% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, and the balance Syrah) offers a full-bodied, unctuous, yet thrillingly pure style in its black raspberry, cassis, licorice and spice aromas and flavors. It has a smoking good mid-palate, building, ripe tannin and a huge finish.”
Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99+ points “The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes is sensational, with notes of blackberry jam, blueberries, crushed flowers, licorice, and graphite all soaring from the glass. Deep, rich, unctuous and still structured, with masses of tannin, it’s a beast of a wine, yet stays impeccably balanced, pure and clean. It’s going to need 4-5 years of cellaring.”
Richebourg, Romanée St. Vivant and More!
From Hudelot-Noëllat
The best buy in Grand Cru Vosne is Hudelot-Noëllat. Through the mid-aughts, they were a true insider’s secret—a venerable domaine with great holdings that had underperformed until recently. The current winemaking team has pushed Hudelot-Noëllat to new heights and the wines are still values. It’s hard to find Richebourg and Romanée St. Vivant at this quality level for this sort of pricing (compare to, say, Cathiard, to get a sense of the values they offer).
We’ve secured additional stock on many of these wines—now totaling 42 bottlings, arriving at the end of the month, and are showing you a few highlights here. You can click here to view the entire set online and buy them now—like with most top Burgundies, quantities on each individual wine are extremely limited.
Arriving this Month:
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2002 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93 points “[Tasted Sept 2018] Some lightening at the rim. There is evident secondary character to the spicy and beautifully layered nose that consists mostly of fresh red berries, Asian-style tea and discreet leather hints. I like the intensity of the delicious middle weight flavors that possess good if not better mid-palate concentraiton along with good minerality on the sneaky long finish. For my taste this has arrived at its peak though it should continue to drink well for at least another decade, perhaps even 15.”
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2006 750ML ($699.95) $599 pre-arrival special, 1 bottle available
Burghound 94 points “Initially this was somewhat like the 2006 RSV (see herein) as the nose was reduced though unlike the RSV the reduction rapidly blew off to reveal an intensely spicy and layered dark berry fruit nose that remains entirely primary and youthful. There is excellent intensity to the tautly muscular, cool and mineral-inflected big-boned flavors that are supported by a firm tannic spine on the powerfully long and driving finish. This highly promising effort is still very much on the way up and should age beautifully for years.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Deep red-ruby. Stubbornly closed nose hints at some high-toned dark berries and spices along with sweet oak. Fatter and riper than the RSV, showing more early power but less finesse. This is distinctly chewy and deep, with terrific density but less lift to its brooding flavors of black cherry, dark berries and minerals. As broad and powerful as this is, it comes across as less sweet today than the RSV.”
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2008 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 94+ points “Medium red. Pungent perfume of blood orange, licorice and herbs, lifted by a floral topnote. Tactile but backward, with terrific lift and perfume to the raspberry and crushed fruit flavors. The terrific rising finish displays great energy and a wonderfully light touch. Really stains the palate. With aeration, a deeper smoky, earthy tang and more adamant minerality emerged. A beauty, but lay it down for at least seven or eight years.”
The next best price is $842
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($899.95) $799 pre-arrival special
Burghound 95 points “A very densely fruited nose is composed mostly from the black side of the fruit spectrum along with notes of menthol, spice and Asian tea nuances. There is excellent concentration to the intense and attractively well-detailed middle weight flavors that possess a suave and highly seductive mouth feel before terminating in a mouth coating, complex and hugely long finish. This is an unusually powerful RSV that is less elegant than usual yet one that is still very much on the way up, indeed I would suggest allowing it at least another 5 to 7 years of cellar time as it’s very much still a baby.”
Stephen Tanzer 94+ points “Good deep red. Knockout perfume of strawberry, violet and cocoa powder, complemented by sweet oak. Sappy, spicy and deep, with a compelling sweetness leavened by firm minerality. Wonderfully silky in texture and graceful. Highly complex flavors of raspberry, leather, smoke and mineral stain the back end with subtle perfume. This struck me as like a more pliant version of the Beaumonts but with the powerful mineral and tannic spine for a 20-year-evolution in bottle.”
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2006 750ML ($899.95) $799 pre-arrival special
Burghound 92-95 points “This is also surprisingly reserved and if not inexpressive, then reluctant though vigorous swirling coaxes a stunningly broad array of spice nuances as well as both blue and black fruit aromas that slide gracefully into rich, full, sweet and subtly mineral-infused flavors that are impressively powerful for the vintage and deliver simply huge length on the explosive and palate staining finish. This is not only classy but exceptionally stylish as well though note that it will need 12 to 15 years to reach its majority – it should be well worth the wait.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “Bright red-ruby. Ripe black raspberry, cocoa powder, spices and smoke on the nose. Lush and silky on entry, then wonderfully tangy and brisk in the middle, with vibrant acidity and firm minerality giving superb focus to the black cherry and violet flavors. Shows as much finesse today as the 2005 did a year ago. Finishes tightly wound, pure and very long, with terrific mineral spine.”
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2008 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Medium red. Musky, soil-driven aromas of mocha, licorice, spices, soy sauce and flowers. Sweet, plush, rich and very ripe, but with plenty of energy to the cocoa powder, loam and spice flavors. The impressive, slowly building finish shows a distinctly saline character and a positive dryness. A fascinating wine of terroir, in need of patience.”
Burghound 92-95 points “The ’08 RSV displays a pure, highly spiced and expressive nose where the fruit runs more to the red side of the spectrum with hints of plum and violets that marry into refined, focused and precise medium full-bodied flavors that are utterly seductive as there is a beguiling succulence to the textured and gorgeously long finish that tightens up quickly as the ripe tannins make their presence felt. This will need time and it is a very impressive effort.”
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($1099.95) $899 pre-arrival special
Burghound 95 points “This also sports discreet wood influence on the intensely floral and kaleidoscopically spicy nose of blue berry and black cherry aromas that introduce rich, intense and naturally sweet middle weight flavors that are lacy, pure and almost delicate before culminating in a suave, explosive and magnificently long finish. This is just terrific and the balance is impeccable. Note however that like the 2010 version, the ultra-fine tannins are also quite dense and this will also require 15 years or so of cellar time before it will be ready for prime time.”
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Les Beaux Monts, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2005 750ML ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special, 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-92 points “(20% of the juice is from vines in their fourth leaf) Deep, bright red. Sappy, pure aromas of dark berries and minerals. Fat and sweet but less expressive and less perfumed than the ineffable Suchots. This boasts lovely sweet red berry flavors but seems a bit stunted today on the back end, with the chewy tannins standing out.”
Burghound 89-91 points “The slightly higher-toned nose is even fresher and brighter with a similar nose of spicy black fruit trimmed in obvious minerality that introduces complex, delicious and somewhat more forward middle weight flavors that possess good detail and the same firm mineral streak suggested by the nose. This is classy juice with excellent length and while I like the greater finesse here versus the Suchots, the latter wine has better mid-palate fat and concentration.”
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Les Beaux Monts, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($499.95) $399 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “The 2010 Vosne-Romanée Les Beaux Monts blossoms on the palate with tons of class and finesse. I especially like the restrained style, but at the same time there is no shortage of personality and depth in this totally sexy, voluptuous Beaux Monts. Persistent saline notes lend brightness to the well-articulated finish.”
Burghound 91-93 points “This had just been racked and not surprisingly was quite closed though aggressive swirling coaxed grudging aromas of spice, wet stone and cassis. The pure and intensely mineral-inflected flavors are shaped by exceptionally fine-grained tannins as well as excellent length on the pure, balanced and energetic finish. This is a wine of finesse and while it’s notably finer than the Suchots, it’s not as complex or at least not yet.”
Alain Hudelot-Noellat Les Malconsorts, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2005 750ML ($699.95) $599 pre-arrival special, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “Deep red. Blueberry, blackberry, flowers, spices and minerals on the slightly exotic nose, lifted by spicy oak. Round, lush and rich, with the weight and palate presence of a grand cru. Offers an uncanny combination of breadth and inner-mouth perfume, with the sweet oak serving to frame the fruit. Today this is the fleshiest and oakiest of the three premier crus from Vosne-Romanee, but the finish is wonderfully tangy and sappy, not to mention extremely long. A great showing-and very much in the typical style of this domain’s best wines from past vintages.”
Burghound 91-93 points “In a somewhat curious departure from all of the prior wines, the wood is borderline dominant and fights with the otherwise spicy and notably ripe black fruit nose that merges into rich, delicious and powerful flavors that possess plenty of punch and muscle on the exceptionally long finish. I asked for a second sample and it was much more balanced and more in keeping with the Hudelot style. I suspect with the impressive amount of dry extract present that once the final blend is made the oak will be successfully integrated and as such, my score awards the benefit of the doubt.”
High Scoring Restocks
(In which we grab more of some Vinopolis favorites)
Arriving Wednesday:
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “A textbook version of the brawny side of Gigondas, this offers a grippy alder bass line underneath layers of dark currant and fig fruit, while lots of tobacco, rosemary and bay fill in throughout. Muscular and energetic, this is built for the cellar. Best from 2019 through 2030.”
Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese*** Trocken (WK), Mosel 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 99+ points “Pure and flinty, with perfectly ripe stone fruit aromas that are seamlessly intertwined with the flavors of crushing stones, the 2015 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (White Capsule) is powerful, rich and incredibly juicy on the palate but, at the same time, pure, finessed and crystalline. This is a highly complex and salty, endlessly juicy and stony Riesling of great precision and salinity. The finish is long and stimulatingly salty, very rich and powerful and still marked by its yeasty texture. Fermented and aged in 3,100-liter barrel from Stockinger. Bottled in September.”
Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese***, Mosel GK 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2016 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) indicates gorgeously ripe and lush Riesling fruit with very fine flinty slate aromas that add freshness, finesse and complexity. This nose is incredibly pure and precise and doesn’t indicate any botrytis. The palate is highly elegant and fine but, at the same time, lush and salty with a highly delicate but persistent structure. The finish is mouthwatering and enormously stimulating. This Wehlener Sonnenuhr is another extremely digestible yet complex Auslese that you can drink in large amounts without getting bored or tired. The acidity is so delicate and fine here and lets this gold-capsuled Auslese dance over your palate. I just love it. Bottled September 2017; tasted March 2018.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott – JamesSuckling.com 97 points “The 2016 Hermannshöhle GG from Dönnhoff is once again one of the top dry rieslings of the vintage in Germany thanks to its stunning combination of concentration and finesse. The super-mineral finish tugs at your lapels trying to pull you with it into the distance. Don’t resist! Good for several decades at least.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “From weathered gray carbon slate, the 2016 Nahe Riesling Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle “GG” is excitingly pure, coolish, fresh and crystalline on the nose, where flinty scents are displayed and intermix with ripe, precise and subtle fruit aromas. This is an aristocrat! Full-bodied, intense and lush on the palate, this is a highly elegant Riesling with very fine crystalline acidity and lingering piquancy. Dense and aromatic on the aftertaste but far too young to be enjoyed today, keep it at least for another 5 years.”
Grapelive 96 points “The 2016 Donnhoff Hermanshohle GG starts with subtle white flowers, loads of flinty spicy mineral and stone leading to a brisk youthful palate of steely citrus, peach and green apple with a core of lime, white currant, a hint of gooseberry and citron that highlights the extract. While tight, focused and compact now, it looks set to be a classic. Lingering melon, faint mango, saline and wet stone adds to the complexity of detail in a wine of true potential. I hope I get a chance to re-visit this beauty in 10 years, in the meantime don’t miss Donnhoff’s the Krotenpfuhl Kabinett, a stellar value. This Hermannshohle GG should be in your cellar when released this fall, it has a rewarding future, I’d put it in the same league as Roulot Meursault and Raveneau Les Clos quality wise, drink from 2022-2035.”
Classic, Structured, Undervalued
Chandon de Briailles
In Stock Now from Domaine Chandon de Briailles
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2013 750ML (149.95) $79 special
Burghound 91-93 points “This too is quite reduced yet from barely perceptible fruit seems fresh. As is usually the case there is slightly finer mouth feel to the broad-shouldered flavors that also possess fine mid-palate concentration, all wrapped in a firmly structured but not hard finish. This is youthfully austere with just a hint of rusticity and this too will definitely require patience.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “This is spicy, with sandalwood, vanilla, green olive and wild berry flavors building from start to finish. Balanced in a lean, tightly wound style, presenting a lingering, spicy aftertaste. Best from 2018 through 2032. 334 cases made.”
The next best price is $100
The average price is $118
Wine Spectator 94 points “This needs air to reveal the deep cherry and raspberry flavors. Pure, with mineral and earth details adding grace notes. Though balanced, this will require time for the structure and flavors to meld. Fine length. Best from 2020 through 2035. 367 cases made.”
Burghound 93 points “Reduction presently dominates the nose and I would again strongly suggest decanting this first if you’re going to sample a bottle before 2 to 3 years of age. On the palate there is a seductive texture to the velvety, complex and attractively mineral-inflected medium weight plus flavors that possess a fine sense of balance and deliver excellent finishing persistence along with impressive depth. This too is textbook.”
The next best price is $99.97
The average price is $119
Burghound 92-95 points “Sweet Spot. A markedly ripe yet elegant nose that consists of rose petal, plum liqueur, lilac, spice and wet stone aromas is trimmed in enough wood to notice. The very rich, intense and wonderfully vibrant big-bodied flavors evidence obvious minerality on the mouth coating and impressively long finish. This is a big and refined effort that is very much built-to-age so patience required.”
The next best price is $140
The average price is $169
Wine Spectator 93 points “All the elements are here in this young red. The raspberry and cherry flavors are pure, framed by subtle oak spice notes and supported by a firm structure. The finish echoes fruit and spice details despite closing up a little. Best from 2019 through 2032. 98 cases made.”
Burghound 90-93 points “Reduction. Here the big-bodied flavors are both bigger and richer with fine volume and density before terminating in a velvety, palate coating and muscular finish. This is old school in style but not at all hard or even especially rustic though note well that patience will be required.”
The next best price is $107.90
Wine Spectator 93 points “Though concentrated, this is also lean and chewy, with big, dusty tannins framing blackberry and blueberry fruit. Good acidity keeps this focused, though this will need some time for the structure to resolve. Fine length. Best from 2022 through 2036. 15 cases imported.”
Burghound 91-94 points “This too manages to be at once very ripe but attractively fresh with its liqueur-like aromas of dark currant, plum, lilac and warm earth. The powerful yet sleek medium weight plus flavors brim with dry extract thanks to the concentrated amount of sappy dry extract that imparts a velvety mouth feel to the hugely long finale. This is less rustic than it usually is though with that said, it’s less refined than its two big boy stablemates.”
The next best price is $135.99
The average price is $141
Thank you for reading!