2014 vintage. As Sauternes suffers from a lethal combination of high production costs and low demand, it is about time we all start drinking more of it. The 2014 vintage combines a lot of botrytis with high acidity resulting in beautifully balanced wines that are very attractive young but should age beautifully for decades. Rabaud Promis has a long history (a lot of it in common with Sigalas Rabaud), but has been in the hands of the Dejean family for the last 4 generations. In early 2020 Jean Merlaut (Bordeaux négociant and owner of Gruaud Larose) took a majority share in Rabaud Promis, but Thomas Dejean remains the winemaker. And to judge from this terrific effort there is indeed no reason to change the winemaker. 80% Sémillon, 16% Sauvignon blanc and 4% Muscadelle. Brilliant golden yellow. Intoxicating complex perfume of fresh and dried fruits, flowers and subtle roasted flavours combined with an amazing lemony freshness. The mouth confirms this complexity with layers of concentrated fruit, balanced by crispy acidity and a knock-out brown sugar, lemon confit and noble rot "rôti" finish. It has amazing intensity while remaining light on its feet. Fabulous value at 28 euros! Abv. 12,6%. Note: these wines are much more versatile at the table than you think. While foie gras and blue cheese are classic combinations, I tried it today with veal, sautéed carrots and mushrooms and baked potatoes. Works really well. I invite you all to experiment with the culinary possibilities of these wines. — 4 years ago
Extraordinary white Burgundy from Guffens’ Mâconnais-based négociant business Verget, made from Chardonnay grown in Le Corton. Beautiful golden color. Quite rich and evolved, with complex aromas of dried and exotic fruits, chamomile and honeyed notes. Pure, rich, lively, mineral. Incredible freshness even 25 years after the vintage — 3 years ago
Old-school red Burgundy by Pierre Bourée et fils, a small négociant house in Gevrey-Chambertin. This wine comes from one of the family’s four own vineyards, the Clos de la Justice, a 2-hectare walled plot located on the eastern side of the Route Nationale 74 (generally considered “the wrong side” of the road. Virtually all of Burgundy’s notable vineyard sites are west of the RN 74). Earthy, rustic. Aromas of red cherries, pepper, forest floor. Fresh, not particularly complex, easy to drink. High acidity — 4 years ago
1990 vintage. Another wonderful surprise with older Burgundy. I did not expect a 32 years old négociant village Savigny to be still alive, but this doesn't show its age at all, featuring a lot of bright red fruit, soft tannin and good length. Not the most complex, but a lot of charm. Abv. 13%. — 2 years ago
The Givry is sourced from the best parcels of the family’s six hectares near their home in Poncey, in the village appellation of Givry (wine from grapes that don’t make the cut is sold in bulk to a négociant). The wine is fermented with natural ambient yeast in concrete vats. Two-thirds of the wine is aged in a mix of neutral oak barrels, with the remaining third matured in concrete before bottling.
The wine is a limpid crimson red Burgundy with inviting aromas of brambly red fruit, including wild strawberries, red currants, lingonberries, and spiced plums, along with suggestions of wild thyme, garden lemon balm, forest mushrooms, and fresh sage.
On the palate, the wine is juicy and firm; crunchy, transparent, and vibrant, with engaging mineral-saturated red fruit flavors that echo the nose, along with suggestions of eucalyptus, white pepper, cardamom, and green tea. Over time in the glass, the wine grows more voluminous, yet always remains accessible, well-integrated, and refreshing. —
Moore Brothers Wine Co. , Brooklyn — 4 years ago
Pierbone is the second wine of Cru Bourgeois Château Peyrabon, property of Patrick Bernard (also owner of Bordeaux négociant Millésima and cousin of Olivier Bernard who owns Domaine de Chevalier). While it doesn't have the depth and structure of the grand vin, it shows how well some of these second wines can age in great vintages like 2010. Drinking beautifully at 10 years old it has a slightly jammy Amarena cherries nose, intertwined with hints of cocoa and cedar wood. In the mouth the jamminess of the cherry fruit is well-balanced by the acidity and the ripe tannin. Not particularly complex, but a delight to drink now and well worth the 18 euros for a mature Haut-Médoc. Abv. 13,5%. — 4 years ago
Maggie Henderson
A new fave! Delicious wine for a great price. Light funk on the nose, but bright mélange of apple and peach. Lafon négociant label. Great recommendation for chard haters. — a year ago