Vanessa

9.2

Here’s to exploring Fixin AOC, the northernmost appellation of the Côte de Nuits in the Côte d’Or of Burgundy!

Fixin is home to 6 premier cru climats including Clos Napoléon. It’s primarily known for its Pinot Noir (approx. 96%) but also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Fixin rouge wines are sometimes compared to its neighbor to the south, Gevrey Chambertin AOC, but with a lighter body and profile. It can be a great source of value in an increasingly expensive region.

Tonight, we’re enjoying the 2019 Pierre Gelin Fixin rouge 1er Cru Clos Napoléon.

Clos Napoléon is also a monopole, owned exclusively by Domaine Pierre Gelin today. It’s a small but prestigious vineyard, situated on a hillside slope, with old vines dating back 70 years!

This property used to be owned by Claude Noisot, the surgeon to Emperor Napoléon, and the vineyard was formerly called “Aux Cheuzots.”

Claude Noisot renamed the property “Clos Napoléon” in honor of his famous patient and hired a renowned sculptor to create "Le Réveil de (the awakening of) Napoléon” – a nearby statue, featured on this label.

As for this particular wine, it’s beautiful! It’s medium ruby in color. Its bouquet is perfumed and layered with notes of black cherry, mulberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, red plum, fennel seed, fennel fronds, chervil, licorice, clove, cooked morel mushroom, wet earth, vanilla, and saddle leather. The palate is lively with bright acidity and smooth, polished tannins. The alcohol has a delicate warming presence and the finish lingers. — 5 days ago

with Deked1

Kim Tobin

9.2

Great Sauvignon Blanc/ white Bordeaux- citrus taste but not too fruity- crisp, and I do taste a hint of peach and apricot!!complemented our roast chicken and potatoes ! — 2 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

Way to early but strong taste of pear and white fruit/flowers. Very promising — 4 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.8

This is simply delightful, bloody awesome actually.
Typical Napa-purity and dito density, yet laced with Bdx-like treble-notes of freshness, acidity and transparency.
Served it alongside maigret/parsnip/anise-jus, but liked it better before and after this fantastic dish.
Score might be on the conservative side… — 5 days ago

Jenks

9.4

Maybe the best Bordeaux I’ve had, limited experience with this region. Dark fruit, cedar, grippy, really evolved over an hour, last glass was singing. A decade old and long life ahead; I don’t think I’ve ever given these wines enough time. Need more of this in my life. — 22 days ago

Marta Jackowska

9.5

Young, fresh, delicious Corton Charlemagne. Perfect first bottle for one of our favorite venues….slightly oaky, nutty scent with soft apricot/peachy flavor….it went disappeared pretty quickly so can’t be bad! — 2 months ago

with Neville

Garen Staglin

9.6

Beautiful fruit. Acid and long finish. No oxidation. — 3 days ago

Mark Rosse

9.6

Glorious bottle! Merry Christmas 🎄 13% Amazing — 4 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Mid yellow/pale gold in colour. Yellow fruits, tropical - notes of pineapple. On the palate, same notes - medium plus intensity. Oak, which was obvious 8 years ago is now totally integrated. Finishes dry. An overused descriptor but this is delicious. Good white Bordeaux is a delight. 70% Sauvignon Blanc; 30% Semillon. — a month ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.7

2009 vintage. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, and 6% Petit Verdot. This estate has an impressive track record of high quality, even before it was bought by the Bernard family. Olivier Bernard managed to considerably expand the vineyards without compromising the quality of the wine, which is one my favourites. Unfortunately they use 100% Diam corks these days, which sadly stopped me from buying the wines. Anyway, this deeply coloured 2009 is a beauty that starts to shine with only 5 minutes in the glass. Impressive aromatics of black fruit, cedar wood, dark chocolate, vanilla, subtle spices and delicate floral hints. In the mouth it is extremely elegant and effortless, with everything in the right place. Exquisite balance with layered, perfectly ripe ( but not jammy) black fruit, embedded in a solid ripe tannic structure, and a very, very long finish. Everything falls into place, nothing is overdone, absolutely impressive, even if I believe it hasn't even reached its peak yet. This should age effortlessly for decades. Ab. 13,5%. — 3 months ago