New Burgundies at Cork & Bottle
So, its Labor Day week which usually marks the last hurrah of the Summer in the wine business and its always a week we use to put all of our “white shoes” wines (rose’s, etc) on sale to clear some space for the more “serious” wines of the fall.
Well, we jumped the gun a little bit over here and got our fall shelf set started early with the addition of nearly a dozen DELIGHTFUL red and white Burgundies in all price points. Now, the last grasp of the summer doldrums is traditionally not an optimal time to put these kinds of wines on the shelf, but we noticed something this summer that’s been different than others: We’ve been really busy! And, after thinking about it, we think we’ve been busy because a lot of you have been staying close to home and not taking as many (or any) vacations this summer as you have been in the past.
So with so many “staycations” in New Orleans this summer and since this is the last “hurrah” of summer, we decided to go ahead and get these new Burgundies on the shelf now AND we thought it a good idea to have them on a sale through Labor Day. It’s makes a good price even better on a great wine and if you’re amongst those who’ve been stuck in the Big Easy for one reason or another all summer don’t you think it’s about time you treated yourself to something nice? Either way, these wines are all now on the shelf and ready to go, enjoy!
New Red Burgundies
’06 Alain Hudelot-Noellat Vosne Romanee, $ 61.99 – on sale, $54.99
One of our favorite producers is back! Tanzer, 86-89 pts “Bright ruby-red. Spicy black cherry lifted by violet on the expressive nose . . . with flavors of sweet spicy berries and minerals. This has better material and a riper back end”
’06 Domaine Herve Sigaut Chambolle-Musigny, $41.99 – on sale, $37.99
Burghound: “An elegant and notably refined red pinot fruit nose that is cool, pure and restrained leads to equally reserved middle weight and forward flavors that culminate in a detailed, sweet and layered finish. This is a lovely villages and definitely worth a look. (87-89)/2010+”
’06 Jean Jacques Girard Savigny Les Beaune, $27.99 – on sale, $25.99
A wonderful producer in a village that still produces one of the best values in red Burgundy. High toned cherry and a deep red color, this wine is everything that is right and good about Savigny: balance, sharpness, fruitiness and – most important – it is very pleasant!
’05 Michel Guillard Gevrey-Chambertain, $45.99 – on sale, $41.99
Bio-dynamic farming by this forward thinking winemaker produces a Pinot Noir that is TEXTBOOK Gevrey, that is to say (to borrow an overused phrase) that it is an iron fist inside a velvet glove. Rich, dense, brooding Pinot that gives way to an elegance and balance that can ONLY be found in Burgundy. Very complex, sophisticated wine.
’06 Paul Garaudet Monthelie “Cuvee Paul” $29.99 – on sale, $26.99
’07 Paul Garaudet Bourgogne Rouge, $19.99 – on sale, $17.99
Located in a tiny little nook in between Volany and Monthelie, this 4th generation winemaker produces some of the best values in Red Burgundy we’ve seen in a while with this pair of wines – one a sexy, racy old vine Monthelie (think Volnay’s forgotten little sister) and his Bourgogne Rouge, which is virtually all declassified Monthelie. Those who say Burgundy has out priced itself needs to pick up some of these wines and see what purity in Pinot is all about.
New White Burgundies
’07 Chateau du Chorey Pernand-Vergelesses “Les Combes” $32.99 – on sale, $29.99
A 4th generation winemaking family churns out this FABULOUS white Pernand-Vergelesses which comes from a VERY tiny piece of land literally across the street from the Grand Cru appellation of Corton Charlemagne, arguably the finest Chardonnay in the world. This wine is a layered, velvety, buttery wine with amazing flavors and richness. 6 bottles of this wine now reside at Jon’s house. It’s a STEAL!
’07 Domaine Maroslavac-Leger St Aubin “Les Murgers du Dent de Chien”, $39.99 – on sale, $36.99
Literally named “Dog’s Tooth Rock Vineyard” this piece of land is immediately adjacent to the famed Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru, Champs Gain. This is the singularly most unique White Burgundy I’ve had in quite a while and it’s a wine that always makes an indelible impression on me. It’s got great, bright fruit with a SEARINGLY minerality on the palate. Still, though, it’s very subtle and elegant with a long, lush finish. Excellent wine.
’06 Domaine Paul-Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet, $49.99 – on sale, $44.99
Another older estate, this label is now made by the latest Pillot generational, Thierry, who makes a number of single vineyard or “lieu dit” and 1er Cru wines from Chassagne Montrachet, but the delicate, yet powerful nature of this AOC Chassagne (from such a strong vintage) really made for a great show and when the “base” tier wine outshines the field . . .well, you buy it!
’07 Chateau Vitallis Macon Fuisse, $17.99 – on sale, $16.99
This is THE value of the show. 88pts from Tanzer last year (’07 not yet rated) and this wine embodies what everyday White Burgundy can and should be. Focus, minerality, that “snap” of crisp apple and pear flavors with a finessed finish. Nice stuff indeed.
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