WINES of C?TE de BEAUNE
Rob?s favorite wine region in the world!
History
Unmatched Elegance, Complexity and Drinkability.? A trip through the C?te de Beaune region of Burgundy, France.
The C?te de Beaune area is the southern part of the C?te d’Or, the limestone ridge that is home to the great names of Burgundy wine. The C?te de Beaune starts between Nuits-Saint-Georges and Beaune, and extends southwards for about 25 km to the River Dheune. The trend of producing red wines continues from the C?te de Nuits to the north, down through Beaune, although the wines become lighter and more perfumed. Farther south lie the great names of white Burgundy such as Meursault and Chassagne-Montrachet. The far south of the district sees a return to red wines in Santenay that continues across the Dheune into the C?te Chalonnaise. This mix of Pinot noir and Chardonnay grapes reflects geology in the southern C?te d’Or that is more variable than in the north.
Les Vignerons Reunis Bourgogne, 2016
$22 / $6
Unlike its New World counterparts, the pleasure of Chardonnay in the form of Bourgogne Blanc lies neither in power nor in the preponderance of new oak. Instead, the Vignerons R?unis Bourgogne, like all good Bourgogne Blancs, offers a wine of blithe spirit. It is a wine imbued with ethereal charm, finesse, purity, and subtlety of flavor. It possesses all of Chardonnay?s unadulterated characteristics and offers real thirst quenching drinkability. The delight begins with the wine?s color, a brilliant glint of afternoon sunshine, and continues with a pleasing bouquet of spring flowers, citrus oil and freshly picked summer apples. The wine?s charming aroma persists in the mouth to both please and refresh the palate. As it glides over the tongue and ever so easily slips down the throat, it may make you beg for more. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest only moderate chilling (40?-45? F) so as not to detract from the wine?s delicate flavors.? Pairs well with shellfish and the fruits of the sea.
Domaine Jacques Girardin Bourgogne, 2015
$30 / $8
Jacques Girardin consistently fashions authentic, elegant red Burgundy, but his latest release, the 2015 Domaine Jacques Girardin Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes, may be the finest value in all red Burgundy. Born during the exceptional 2015 vintage, the 2015 Jacques Girardin Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes is fresh, supple, and downright seductive. Elegance and finesse are this wine?s calling cards, as it offers up an enticing bouquet of red and black currants, cherries, and wild woodland berries. Although lithe and delicate in structure, it never lacks for character or flavor. Pure fruit and berry flavors mingle with subtle touches of spice and Burgundian earth to satisfy the palate. In short, this Vieilles Vignes Burgundy Pinot Noir from 50+ year old vines exemplify the delicacy and finesse inherent in authentic Burgundian Pinot Noir. It should appeal especially to those who are looking for purity, elegance and a sense of terroir in their Pinot Noir. Light, lovely and pleasing from the moment the cork exits the bottle, we see every reason to drink this finely crafted red Burgundy from now through 2020. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest at least 10-15 minutes of aeration prior to serving at cool room temperature. Pairs well with virtually any chicken or turkey dish.??
Domaine Jacques Girardin Les Terrasses de Bevaux Santenay Blanc 2016
$42 / $12
In old French ‘bievaux’ means ‘beautiful valley’. Historically this land was reputed to produce excellent white wines but, after the destruction of the vineyards by the Phylloxera pest, this hillside was left abandoned. In the 1960s a number of vines were replanted and in view of the quality of the resulting wine, the entire hillside was replanted between 1970 and 1986. The clay-limestone soil gives elegance with fruit. A mineral wine, well-structured and balanced. The wine is clear and brilliant, mineral and floral, fresh and vigorous. Its aromatic expression features notes of bracken and hazelnut. Pairs well with chicken stew, camembert, brie, crab, prawns steam, grilled chicken fillets, seafood sauce, gruy?res, goudas, fish stew, p?t?s, terrines, rillettes, baked fish, raw fish Veal sauce.
Alain Gras St. Romain Blanc 2014
$54 / $14
Alain Gras has been working passionately since 1979, with a great respect for the land. This is an exceptional terroir thanks to being on top of a hill, which benefits from a limestone-clay soil that forces the vine roots to descend deep into the bedrock to obtain the nutrients they need. The typicity of the soil in Saint Romain gives minerality, elegance and freshness to our grapes. Our domain now extends over 12 hectares, primarily located in Saint Romain, with both whites and reds, in Meursault and Auxey Duresses both whites and reds. Powerful and sophisticated nose, with a hint of nuts, toast and vanilla beans. Expressive palate, full and supple. A wine with minerality, an elegant touch of oak, and a beautiful, long finish.? For a meal, it marries perfectly with line-caught sea bass, any saltwater fish, and with shellfish.
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Francois Carillon Puligny-Montrachet 2015? $66 / $18
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A tasting of Fran?ois Carillon?s 2015 Puigny-Montrachet dispatches both questions with gratifying nonchalance. Sculpted by a growing season which approached the limits ? but crucially stopped short of them ? these 2015s are full and rich? but so fine. This is made from several plots, comprising four hectares in total. White flowers on the nose, taut and chiseled, leading into a wonderfully saline, mineral, textured palate, which has both intense, expressive fruit and a super-fine, detailed structure. It comes to a point beautifully on the finish, with brisk acidity complementing a sense of driven persistence. Very graceful throughout and seriously good for village level.