Champagne Pol Roger
Arriving December 2014
In the early 2000s, the winery was enlarged and renovated. Steel fermentation vats were added. The cellar is split over two levels with four miles of chalk passages. These tunnels are cooler in temperature than most producers in Champagne. The cooler temperature slows the second fermentation, producing more complex flavors and a finer mousse. Today, the winery sources almost 50% of its fruit from 200 acres of estate vineyards. The rest is from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards rated 95 points or higher on the Echelle des Crus system, making their sourced grapes some of the highest quality available to the Grand Marques. Each lot is vinified and aged separately before the final blending takes place. The Vintage wines are made from at least 60% Pinot Noir. The Brut NV is a blend of all three major Champagne grape varietals. The base wines are at least 3 years old.
Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs Brut 2004 ($134.95) $109 pre-arrival special
Winery notes “This 100% Chardonnay is sourced exclusively from vineyards Grand Cru vineyards of Cramant, Les Mesnil, Oger, Avize and Oiry in the Cote des Blancs. The unblended wines are aged entirely in stainless steel to retain their focused, pure character, which is followed by 7 years of bottle aging in the Pol Roger cellars prior to release.”Pol Roger Brut 2004 ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Winery notes “A golden yellow straw-like color, bright and full of intensity with attractive lingering bubbles. A fine nose with enticing notes of fresh honey, candied grapefruit and lime. On the palate a dominating fruitiness with light biscuit character. A full and long texture displaying freshness and viscosity. The wine is balanced with remarkable harmony. An amazingly pure champagne.”
Pol Roger Extra Cuvee de Reserve Brut Rose 2006 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Winery notes “A deep salmon pink color with a fine stream of small bubbles. The nose has aromas of ripe fruits with elements of citrus fruits (blood orange), pomegranate and small wild red berries. On the palate, a deep mineral character fine, creamy ripeness and a hint of vanilla. The wine is tender and smooth with a balance of delicate freshness and refined elegance. A discreet vinosity with a clean and precise finish.”
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill 2002 ($279.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill 2002 1.5L ($549.95) $459 pre-arrival special
Winery notes “The wine displays a mid golden yellow color and continuous stream of delicate bubbles. An elegant and powerful nose with toasted brioche over fresh quince, peach and apricot with an underlying oral character and high-toned cinnamon spice with hints of lime leaf. A balanced palate with weight, power, a velvety texture and a long persistent pure acidity. With weight and complexity characteristic both of the terroir and vintage. A long after taste with a light touch of citric acidity bringing together a wine of undeniable majesty. Already drinking well now and will continue to improve over the medium term.”
Drappier
Just Arrived
Wine Spectator 91 points “Granny Smith apple, toasted almond, currant and whole-grain toast flavors are fresh and well-meshed, structured by bright acidity and a lively bead. Offers a creamy finish, with hints of smoke and honeycomb. Drink now through 2018. 900 cases made.” Kosher Certified too!
The average price listed is $49!
Burgundy 2008 through 2005
The 2011 / 2012 / 2013 vintages in Burgundy were all characterized by reduced yields. And, on the commercial side a propensity towards price increases to compensate growers and importers for wine not made nor traded. Our reaction was to double up on our 2010 orders (in 2012) and simultaneously re-buy all the better and well-priced previous vintages that we could find. Today we offer our selection of Burgundy from 2008 through 2005.
2006– As a whole, 2006 was a year of extremes that brought far more challenges than the preceding year. Afer a cold winter, temperatures rose quickly, resulting in quick ripening grapes and , in some instances, rot. Quick picking and fast work was required, as September produced ideal weather for harvest. Burgundy lovers will find rich, fruity whites and supple reds that will be enjoyable much sooner than their 2005 counterparts.
2005– Heralded as one of the greatest vintages of the last generation, 2005 was a glorious year for Burgundy’s reds and whites alike. A dry, sunny summer without any exceptional heatwave or bad weather to worry the growers. These immensely concentrated wines had an ideal balance of acid and tannin, and showed the capability, and the necessity, of lasting for decades. The 2005 vintage for red and white Burgundy has everything you could want: ripe fruit, fresh acidity, well-integrated tannins and great balance. Even at the young stage, many revealed gorgeous fruit and terroir, flavors that will only continue to evolve in these densely structured wines.
With increasing knowledge, skill and technique in the wine world, the properly prepared and educated winemaker has the skills and tools necessary to produce great wines every vintage. Gathered below is a collection of our wines from vintages 2008 – 2005, four vintages that provide different experiences and tastes, but quality across the board.
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2008 Meursault Les Santenots is powerful yet balanced in a broad, expansive style that caresses the palate with tons of rich, honeyed fruit. Lighter, floral notes appear on the finish, adding brightness to what is otherwise a fairly masculine style of Meursault. All of the elements work nicely here. Anticipated maturity: 2013+. “Lafon Meursault Genevrieres Premier Cru 2007 ($319.95) $289 special 2 bottles 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.”
Michelot Meursault Les Narvaux 2007 ($69.95)$59 special 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer & Wine Advocate 89 points “Pale color. Sweet peachy aroma shows good lift. Peach, licorice and iodine flavors are nicely framed by ripe acidity and supported by lively minerality. Showed intriguing nuances of tarragon and saffron with aeration.”
Burhgound & Wine Advocate 92 points “Cassis flower and hints of black cherry, stone and warm earth blend seamlessly into the rich, full and refined medium full flavors that possess a seductive texture and excellent volume on the driving finish. The tannins are relatively fine and while there is a hint of tanginess, it comes across more as vibrancy than dryness.”Pousse d’Or Volnay Bousse d’Or Premier Cru 2008 ($149.95) $119 special 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Volnay Clos de la Bousse d’Or is impeccable from start to finish. Elegant, refined aromatics weave into layers of fruit as this substantial Volnay shows off its class and purity. The finish is supple and delicate, with plenty of reserve. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2038.”
Violot Guillemard Pommard Clos de Derriere St. Jean Premier Cru 2008 ($84.95) $59 special 4 bottles available
Burghound 90 points “This offers a noticeable step up in finesse and aromatic elegance with pretty and very pure earthy red raspberry and cherry notes that blend into naturally sweet, rich and delineated middle weight flavors that carry obvious finishing minerality and solid punch. This is really quite a nice effort as the balance is impeccable and the overall impression is a Pommard of finesse and understatement.”
Chandon De Briailles Corton Bressandes Grand Cru 2007 ($99.95) $79 special 10 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “As is usually the case, this is the most elegant of the three Corton grands crus, displaying a beguiling, fresh, airy and layered nose of stone, red berry fruit and a subtle hint of the sauvage that continues onto the fresh, energetic and equally stone suffused medium full flavors that possess excellent detail and precision on the presently understated and restrained finish. I like the balance and the mid-palate concentration is such that this should amply reward 6 to 8 years of cellar time.”
Chandon Briailles Aloxe Corton Les Valozieres Premier Cru 2007 ($59.95) $49 special 12 bottles available
Burghound 87-89 points “Not surprisingly, this offers a completely different expression with fresh and overtly rustic earthy dark berry fruit aromas that introduce big, rich, full and serious flavors that possess plenty of volume and a robust muscularity if limited elegance on the solidly persistent finish. A wine of powerful but not nuance.”
Tollot-Beaut Aloxe-Corton 2007 ($59.95) $49 special 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 90 points “A ripe, modern style, featuring black cherry and raspberry notes accented by new oak. The oak needs to be integrated, but there’s sweetness on the finish. Best from 2012 through 2021. 110 cases imported”
Michel Lafarge Beaune Greves Premier Cru 2006 ($119.95) $99 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer & Burghound 90 points “A very subtle hint of wood frames earth suffused red pinot fruit and plum aromas with a slight hint of crushed leaf that lead to more serious and more somber medium-bodied flavors brimming with dry extract on the impressively deep and moderately austere finish. There is simply another dimension here relative to the Aigrots with better integration of the underlying structure.”
Pousse d’Or Volnay Clos Audignac Premier Cru 2006 ($119.95) $99 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 91 points “This too possesses a wonderfully layered nose but here the aromatic profile runs more to the floral and earthy side with dark pinot fruit sliding into rich, full and distinctly more powerful flavors that are tautly muscular in character while culminating in a long and sappy finish. This doesn’t have any where near the same degree of finesse but it’s bigger, longer and possesses even more depth.”
Domaine du Chateau de Chorey Beaune Les Teurons Premier Cru 2005 ($89.95) $79 special 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91+ points “Bright, full red. Sexy aromas of dark raspberry, leather, game, iron and spices. Suave on entry, then juicy and pure in the middle; this appears to be in the process of shutting down. An intensely flavored wine with a serious tannic spine and noteworthy finishing energy. All of these 2005s were destemmed but this comes across as quite spicy. I like this…”
Domaine Maillard Corton Renards 2005 ($199.95) $149 special 3 bottles available
Domaine Ravaut Ladoix Rouge 2005 ($24.95) $21.90 special 12+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89-92 points “Medium-deep red. Sexy aromas of raspberry, flinty minerality and smoked meat. Sweet, bright and showy, with lovely cut and definition to its dense berry flavors. Combines brisk acidity and an impression of thorough ripeness. Very pure on the aftertaste.”Chevillon Nuits-St-George Les Vaucrains Premier Cru 2008 ($119.95) $99 special 12+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “Deep, bright ruby-red. Black raspberry and chocolate aromas are complemented by sweet oak. Less refined than the Saint-Georges or Cailles but solidly built and quite powerful, with a youthfully medicinal character to the blast of dark fruit flavors. Extremely primary and impressively long. This may need the most patience of this excellent set of 2008s”
Claude Dugat Gevrey Chambertin 2008 ($119.95) $69 special 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Good red-ruby color. Dark fruits, spices, game and leather on the nose. Good density of material is currently fighting strong acidity, giving the wine a slightly tart quality and a disjointed character. Rather severe today, but the penetrating spicy acidity extends the finish. This very serious village wine will require at least a few years of bottle aging.”
Pierre Damoy Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru 2008 ($199.95) $99 special 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2008 Chapelle-Chambertin is a huge wine endowed with striking purity in its rich, dark fruit. Despite its sheer richness, the Chapelle also shows great tension in structural elements. In short, it’s all there in this magnificent, compelling Burgundy. Today the oak is a bit dominant and the fruit needs to settle down, but this is shaping up to be a magnificent wine. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038.”
Dugat-Py Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2008 ($139.95) $89 special 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, from vines ranging from 30-50 years of age, shows superb length in a mid-weight, mineral-driven style. With time in the glass the silkiness of the tannins emerges as the wine takes shape. Elegant and refined throughout, the Vieilles Vignes possesses captivating balance and a great sense of harmony. This is a beautiful wine from Dugat-Py, but it needs time. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.”
Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetiers Premier Cru 2008 ($99.95) $79 special 3 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “A strikingly layered nose combines ample amounts of pungent Gevrey-style earth, spice, iron notes and ripe red and dark berry fruit that meld with very serious, even brooding big-bodied flavors that are built on a base of firm minerality and finish with excellent richness and depth. This is a classic Gevrey in both style and character with excellent power and really lovely balance. In a word, terrific.”
Faiveley Latricieres Chambertin Grand Cru 2008 ($189.95) $149 special 8 bottles available
Burghound 94 points “A distinctly cool and ultra-elegant nose of restrained and exceptionally fresh mineral-infused red pinot fruit gives way to stone-inflected, tightly focused and delineated middle weight plus flavors that are beautifully tension-filled. This possesses a beguiling personality as there’s real verve and punch on the delicious but linear finish where more minerality surfaces. This strikingly persistent effort is not only classy but seriously lovely as the sense of harmony is second to none in this group. Moreover, because this is a wine of refined power, it could actually be enjoyed now though it seems a shame to waste so much upside potential.”
Faiveley Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru 2008 ($249.95) $159 special 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Good deep red. Ineffably complex aromas of wild red fruits, menthol, white pepper, minerals and powdered stone. A wine of great nobility, a bit imploded on entry, then wonderfully complex and aromatic in the middle, with terrific sappiness and energy to the lightly saline flavors of red fruits, spices, licorice and crushed stone. The rising, endless finish titillates the taste buds. This makes the Latricieres seem dry in comparison.”
Faiveley Nuits St Georges Les St Georges Premier Cru 2008 ($129.95) $89 special 12+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points & Burghound 91-93 points “Palish medium red. Medicinal red cherry, minerals, crushed stone, violet, rose petal and white pepper on the noble nose. Wonderfully silky and pure, with ineffable flavors of red fruits, spices, flowers and minerals. This is wonderfully delicate, and not a fleshy wine, yet saturates every square millimeter of the palate with flavor. The long, sweet, rising finish offers terrific cut and floral lift. Should make a worthy successor to the outstanding 2007, which also transcends its village. Hervet says that this will be bottled by hand, without filtration.”
Geantet-Pansiot Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2008 ($219.95) $159 special 11 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “A reserved but fresh and very pretty nose of primarily red berries cut with hints of earth and oak that complements well the rich, full-bodied and powerful broad-schouldered flavors that are supported by a firm tannic spine and excellent dry extract levels that coat the palate on the beautifully long finish. This is head and shoulders above the rest of the range but note that patience will be required.”
Louis Latour Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2008 ($119.95) $79 special 11 bottles available
Burghound 89-92 points “Mild wood influence does not compromise the transparency of the fresh and earthy red pinot fruit nose that exhibits a slight sauvage character that can also be found on the energetic, detailed and tautly muscled middle weight flavors that possess good richness and more refinement than usual on the serious, long and linear finish where a touch of austerity can also be seen.”
Perrot Minot Gevrey Chambertin Les Fontenys Premier Cru 2008 ($159.95) $79 special 2 bottles available
Perrot Minot Morey St Denis La Riotte Premier Cru 2008 ($159.95) $99 special 2 bottles available
Burghound 88-91 points “I very much like the nose of this wine as it’s classic Morey but elegant and quite pure with moderately earthy wild red berry fruit aromas that convey a subtle sense of the sauvage that is also reflected by the relatively supple and forward middle weight flavors that evidence a discreet minerality on the lacy and refined finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. Overall, this is beautifully balanced and if it can add depth in bottle, it should merit the upper end of my projected range.”
Jacques Prieur Chambertin Grand Cru 2008 ($399.95) $259 special 5 bottles available
Burghound 92-94 points “This cool and equally fresh and restrained nose offers notably denser and much more complex aromas of red and blue pinot fruit, violets, earth and pungent minerality that is very much in keeping with the backward and ultra primary flavors that are firm, intense and precise, all wrapped in an austere, driving and powerful finish. This has everything it needs to amply reward long-term cellaring and it will need it.”
Chevillon Nuits-St-George Les Roncieres Premier Cru 2007 ($69.95) $66 special 11 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Bright, full red. Dark raspberry, spices and an element of leathery reduction on the nose. Then densely packed but youthfully imploded and a bit reduced, with a distinctly darker character to the blackberry, blueberry and violet flavors. In a fruit-driven style, but this will require a good four or five years to blossom in bottle. Finishes supple, fruity and long, with excellent intensity”
Chevillon Nuits-St-George Les Vaucrains Premier Cru 2007 ($109.95) $89 special 12+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Good dark red. Wilder on the nose than the Saint-Georges, offering black cherry, dark chocolate, smoke and a whiff of game. Wonderfully sweet in the mouth but youthfully closed, with a medicinal menthol note supporting the impression of power. Can’t quite match the Saint-Georges today for complexity or personality, but this is also very convincing on the back end. And this too calls for six or seven years of cellaring.”
Chevillon Nuits-St-Georges Vieilles Vignes 2007 ($54.95) $49 special 9 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “Elegant and beautifully expressive aromas of white fruits and flowers trimmed in noticeable wood introduce detailed, fine and mineral-infused medium weight flavors that are both sappy and precise on the impressively persistent finish. This is beautifully well-balanced though the wood is hardly restrained.”
Claude Dugat Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru 2007 ($179.95) $139 special 4 bottles available
Burghound 89-91 points “This offers a big step up in aromatic elegance with very fresh dark berry fruit and warm earth notes that carry over to the underbrush and mineral suffused medium weight flavors that possess a suave and less obviously structured mouth feel as the buried tannins are relegated to the background on the persistent and intense finish. Lovely.”
Claude Dugat Gevrey Lavaux St Jacques Premier Cru 2007 ($209.95) $179 special 2 bottles available
Burghound 91 points ‘OUTSTANDING’ “A deft touch of wood frames cool, refined, elegant and quite pure red berry fruit aromas that carry obvious stony undertones that also characterize the supple, focused and intense flavors that are tautly muscled and feature real precision on the beautifully long finish. This is a classic Lavaut in style as there is a definite coolness and the entire wine is built on a base of firm minerality.”
Clos De Tart Grand Cru 2007 ($499.95) $249 special 12+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points, Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points, Burghound 91-94 points “Intense aromas of graphite and mineral make an immediate impact, with black cherry, black currant and spice flavors adding depth and dimension. This has concentration and a juicy texture, pushing the long, peppery aftertaste. Shows fine harmony and expression overall. Best from 2012 through 2024.”WS
Leroy Clos De La Roche Grand Cru 2007 ($1799.95) $1399 special 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Kirsch, rose hip, and soy intensely scent the Leroy 2007 Clos De La Roche, which reveals brightness and finesse as well as a saline savor unusual for its appellation. To be sure, notes of leather and crushed stone as well as smoked and roasted meats contribute further and perhaps more site-typical complexity. But it’s the sheer finesse, buoyancy, and vibratory energy on display that most amaze, leaving your tongue and gums a quiver and your salivary glands pumping helplessly. There is also a faint hint of heat, but its effect is negligible given what’s going on around you when you swallow (or, in my case, spit). Look for 20 or more years of excitement.”
Maume Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux St Jacques Premier Cru 2007 ($119.95) $99 special 5 bottles available
Burghound 89 points “Here the elegant, floral and slightly herbal fresh and pure red and blue fruit nose introduces intensely mineral, vibrant and supple medium-bodied flavors that possess plenty of verve on the complex, balanced and harmonious finish. A Lavaut of finesse and refinement.”
Maume Mazi-Chambertin Grand Cru 2007 ($159.95) $99 special 4 bottles available
Burghound 90 points “Traces of crushed herbs and cassis add depth to the spicy and elegant yet sauvage nose, which is admittedly an interesting contrast in character. The rich, full and intense flavors offer good if not exceptional size and weight though there is a taut muscularity to the mineral suffused finish that coats and stains the palate…”
Noellat Romanee St Vivant Grand Cru 2007 1.5 LITER ($999.95) $599 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Good medium red. Highly perfumed nose combines raspberry, strawberry, cocoa powder, white pepper, blood orange and a resiny headshop spiciness. Pungent, complex and weightless; a wonderfully lively, delicate wine with sneaky intensity and superb penetrating energy and lift. Finishes dry and understated. Suave rather than large. My recorked bottle lost some verve with 24 hours, suggesting that this wine is probably best for mid-term drinking-say, beginning in five years.”
Serafin Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetieres Premier Cru 2007 ($159.95) $136 special 12+ bottles available
Burghound 92 points “This is a classic Cazetiers with a distinct animale element to the ripe red berry, violet and underbrush tones that continue on the earth-inflected, sappy, precise and moderately concentrated flavors that possess real character and excellent power on the impressively long, balanced and textured finish. This has another dimension relative to all of the prior wines.”
D’ardhuy Clos De Vougeot Grand Cru 2006 ($179.95) $149 special 1 bottle available
Burghound 91-94 points ‘DON’T MISS!’ “This is again a beautiful wine and is displaying the sheer size, weight and concentration of the 2005, it’s not far off and the tannins are perhaps a bit finer in the 2006 version. A floral and relatively expressive nose for a young Clos de Vougeot of earthy dark berry fruit aromas merges into powerful yet precise flavors that deliver a real sense of volume and drive on the long and superbly complex finish. As it was in 2005, this is again the class of the range though note that patience will be required.”
Faiveley Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru 2006 ($159.95) $129 special 9 bottles available
Burghound 92-94 points, Stephen Tanzer 91+ points ” A distinctly sauvage and somber dark berry fruit nose gives off notes of iron tinged warm earth, underbrush, crushed herbs and a hint of smoke followed by rich, full and moderately wooded full-bodied flavors that are notably powerful and supported by very firm tannins on the serious, long and backward finish. This too will require upward of two decades of cellar time so don’t buy this if you’re not prepared to be patient.”
Faiveley Nuits St Georges Les Porets St-Georges Premier Cru 2006 ($69.95) $59 special 7 bottles available
Burghound 88-91 points “Very discreet if not invisible wood frames ripe animale aromas that include game, underbrush and serious dark pinot fruit aromas that are very Nuits in character and this frank typicity continues onto the structured and slightly rustic broad-shouldered flavors that culminate in real power, weight and punch. This is a big wine with plenty of muscle and it will need at least a decade to be at its best.”
Forey Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2006 ($199.95) $149 special 7 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “In contrast to the Echézeaux, this is relatively elegant as the expressive nose features earthy dark berry fruit and floral aromas that are at present intensely animale in character that are in keeping with the robust, textured and impressively concentrated full-bodied flavors that also possess ample levels of dry extract. This too is a big and powerful wine that is youthfully austere, brooding and even more structured yet impeccably well balanced. Terrific.”
Lucien Le Moine Nuits St Georges Les St Georges Premier Cru 2006 ($149.95) $119 special 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Ripe strawberry and cherry along with charred, roasted meat scent the nose of the Le Moine 2006 Nuits St.-Georges Les St.-Georges. This is broad and rich, more pliable on the palate than the corresponding Les Cailles – though still full of fine-grained tannin – and with a mind-bending suggestion of things mineral: chalk, iodine, ineffable, ore-like impingements. But don’t imagine for a minute that this is merely cerebral stuff. On the contrary, the bright, energetic finish here will set your bodily juices flowing. I would give it 2-3 years and then expect another 8-10 of delightful profundity.”
Louis Latour Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2006 ($99.95) $79 special 11 bottles available
Burghound 89-91 points “A pretty and only moderately sauvage nose of crushed red berries, oak spice and warm earth gives way to reveal round, supple and slightly light flavors relative to what this wine usually possesses, all wrapped in a firm finish with grand cru finesse and elegance if not necessarily the power and depth. Still, this is most attractive.”
Potel Chambertin Grand Cru 2006 ($199.95) $169 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Good medium red. Explosive, wild aromas of black raspberry and smoked meat. At once suave and powerful, with a compellingly layered texture and great depth to its flavors of black fruits, game, pepper and earth. Wonderfully thick, powerfully structured wine with great back-end breadth and persistence. A powerful expression of soil, and built for a long life in bottle. The finish shows an intriguing suggestion of black olive.”
Taupenot-Merme Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2006 ($99.95) $79 special 12+ bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points “This is a clear step up in aromatic purity and elegance, which is saying something as the Pruliers is gifted too in this regard with an elegant, pure and complex nose that is both seductive and complete while dissolving into serious yet extremely pretty medium-bodied flavors that also coat the mouth with extract, which confers a real sense of volume and focused muscle. Lovely and very long.”
Louis Latour Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2005 ($119.95) $99 special 7 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points “A very subtle touch of wood frames a spicy red berry fruit nose that dissolves into rich, full, well-muscled and sweet flavors that possess a good deal more volume and while the mid-palate is supple and round, the finish has the firmness that one expects from a big Corton. There is much better balance here and this should age well.”
Jacky Truchot Chambolle-Musigny Les Sentiers Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available
Jacky Truchot Charmes-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2005 ($999.95) $799 special 1 bottle available
Jacky Truchot Clos De La Roche Vieilles Vignes 2005 ($1199.95) $999 special 1 bottle available
Jacky Truchot Gevrey Chambertin Aux Combottes Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available
Jacky Truchot Morey St Denis Vieilles Vignes 2005 ($799.95) $699 special 1 bottle available
Jacky Truchot Morey St Denis Blanchards Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available
Jacky Truchot Morey St Denis Clos Sorbes Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available
Jacky Truchot Morey St Denis Ruchots Premier Cru 2005 ($899.95) $799 special 3 bottles available
Chardonnay
Case 12 – Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2012 ($149.95) $99 special (that’s only $8.25 a bottle) 5 cases available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Silky and seductive, with pear and spicy grapefruit flavors on a taut, polished frame, lingering with intensity and brightness on the glowing finish. Impressive for the price. Drink now.”
Chardonnay
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”
The average listed price in the USA is $538 / bottle
Louis Jadot Le Montrachet Grand Cru 2011 ($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.”
The average listed price in the USA is $476 / bottle
Wine Spectator 94-97 points , Wine Advocate 92-94 points “There are five barrels of the 2012 Montrachet Grand Cru in 2012 compared to the usual ten. The nose is surprisingly reticent at first, opening gradually in the minerality poking its head from under the covers. Coming back after three minutes, the aromatics are accelerating away. The palate is very well-balanced as one would hope, very focused with subtle, spicy notes under the carapace of citrus fruit.”
From the winery “Le Montrachet has a very nice, bright and shiny gold colour. It is a complex and powerful wine. Its comparable depth, intense fruit elegance, and layers of complex, textural richness, reflected in a sublime bouquet reminiscent of honey toast, culminate with a persistent finish. This wine best suits « haute cuisine » : crustacés à la nage’, poached fish in cream sauce, liver pâtés.”
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Pale yellow. Complex, high-pitched aromas of orange zest, lemon pith, iodine, smoky minerals, anise and jasmine. Sappy and tactile on the palate, offering impressive volume to its ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors accented by smoke and minerals. Finishes tangy and long, with lingering smokiness and an echo of anise.”
The average listed price in the USA is $75 / bottle
Pierre Peters Reserve Blanc De Blancs NV 750ml ($59.95) $48 special
Pierre Peters Cuvee Reserve Blanc De Blancs NV 375ml ($37.95) $27 special
Pierre Peters Cuvee Reserve Blanc De Blancs 1.5LITER ($149.95) $119 special
Burghound 93 points
“A stunningly elegant nose of pure floral, Granny Smith apples, spice and freshly sliced lemon complements to perfection the intense and equally pure flavors that possess excellent punch like remain delicate and ultra-refined on the balanced and persistent finish. The supporting mousse displays a very find bead and the overall impression is one of subtlety and grace. Not only is this a wonderful effort but the value it offers it beyond stunning.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Sweet flowers, honey, mint and pine all take shape in the Blanc d’Argille. In this vintage, the Blanc d’Argille is quite restrained, subtle and nuanced, but it opens up nicely in the glass, with pretty hints of almond, lemon peel and crushed rocks. Expressive floral notes add lift and fragrance on the finish.”