I've been enjoying wine for many years, but managed to avoid an obsession with Burgundy until recently. Well, that's over. Save yourself if you can! A problem for me now is the fact that at 55, I may never taste the grandest of the Grand Crus in their fully mature state. If I may, I'd like take advantage of The Burgundy Forum's collective knowledge and find which of the red Grand Crus have a reputation for early maturation. I've built a nice cellar, so proper storage isn't a concern. Thank you all.
Searching for Early Maturing Burgs
(15 posts) (11 voices)
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Mark Goldberg
MemberI'm "in the same boat". I'm 63 and have enjoyed and collected wine for the past 30 yr. I would appreciate the same help in selecting early maturing Burgs. Darkerjude, since you are in the States, have you had the opportunity to drink Pinots from Oregon? They are not Burgs but are approachable young and some are made in the Burgundian style. The 2008 vintage should be outstanding.
Posted 2 years ago # -
From talking to the lads at Mischief & Mayhem, they would suggest that their wines are made in a very approachable style. In saying that, I've noticed from drinking their better 1er and grand cru wines that a fair bit of time will be needed before these wines hit peak...
Posted 2 years ago # -
burgundyfan
MemberThe real question is here the vintage. The GC of 2003 and 2007 will be drinkable a lot early than other years. For me I'm 66 and I buy some GC(6 Charmes, 6 Clos de la Roche from Coquard-Loison) each year. But for the normal day I drink 2007 Santenay VV from Thomas Morey or 2008 Mercury VV from the domaine Ninot(this vine was one of only 5 vines which had the best note for the year 2008 selection in the 'bourgogne aujourd'hui' year tasting).
Posted 2 years ago # -
Bert Bessems
MemberI'm also in the same league as I'm 58. I have a nice cellar with some beautifull Burgs. I've come to the conclusion that it depends on the vintage and the producer. I might have overblown myself on the 2005 vintage. The question is; will I ever have the opportunity to see them blossom. I might prefer the so called lesser vintages because they give pleasure much earlier but even for the GC and some 1er Crus you have to wait 10-12 years. It's far from easy.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Darkerjude
MemberThanks for the thoughtful replies. I've bought some '07s for their drinkability, and Oregonian pinots are certainly an alternative. I'd heard that Clos St. Denis has an earlier maturity than some, but I've never seen one. I live in VT close to Montreal, and I've gotten word when some are coming, but it can be pretty insane positioning yourself there. I remember lining up at 5am one freezing winter morning because the Rousseau's were arriving ( SAQ opens @ 9 ). The last guy to get his Clos de Beze had arrived at midnight! Anyway, you can't always get what you want, but it sounds as if '09 may be an easy going vintage, so I'll avoid the Chambertin and the Clos Vougeot, and hope i'm around in 2030.
Thanks Again, DJPosted 2 years ago # -
Most of the vineyards with "Charmes" in the name were so called because they're precocious and (relatively) early maturing. So, Charmes-Chambertin is one grand cru that's often rewarding at age 10. But even so it is a reward of a different nature than something with serious age. There aren't any Burgundies, even village wines, that can consistently offer at age 10 the particular flavors and overall profile of a wine aged 20-30 years. If you want a mature Burgundy without waiting more than 10 years, I'd go to auction and pick up some bottles that have a 10-year head start.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Not sure of the shipping situation to Vermont but try winebid.com. Acker also does online auctions and Zachys' live auctions have online bidding.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Rick Dalia
MemberI've had pretty good luck with winebid (disclosure - I've only bought perhaps a dozen bottles from them). The advantage of this over the traditional wine auction is the ability to buy single bottles. However, the prices are a bit higher, I will say and I'm not totally confident in their assessment of provinence (it is purely based on what the seller states on the application form, and inspection of the bottle once it arrives at their facility. No evaluation is made of the cellar or storage facility). Zachy's is based in NYC, so if you happen to win a lot from their auction, you can take it as an excuse to drive down and spend a weekend in the city. Good luck!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'd say the Charmes idea is a good one - though in Chambolle I find this a more complete wine than Amoureuses - not a cheap recommendation, but usually with low (taste) barriers to entry. Want a grand cru? Try Lambrays - super complexity and texture without the structure (usually) of most other GCs...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Darkerjude
MemberThanks Bill. That's good to know. Actually I have an "02 Lambrays in the cellar and my wine store has the "06 for a reasonable price. Wow! I've never had a Chambolle Charmes and though I've heard good things......Amoureuses? Really? Cool... that's on my list now.
DJPosted 2 years ago # -
Howard Cooper
MemberDon't feel a need to buy the latest and greatest vintages. Two of the better vintages for current drinking are 1998 and 2000. You can still find these around at reasonable prices from excellent producers. A great underappreciated vintage that is now nearing 10 years old is 2001.
Posted 2 years ago # -
wildbillnv
MemberHon. Mr. DarkerJude:
I concur with those who advise to buy from earlier maturing vintages such as 2000 and 1998, however, status aside, it is important to understand the aspects of terroir. Thus the novice or newby ought to familiarize themselves by finding approachable regional and 'lieu-dit' vineyards from the best vintages. Don't fall into the snobbery of label dropping-no matter what your fair weather friends say. It's much easier to keep the 'Wolf' at your door away if he hasn't an A. Meadows endorsement to critique to his associates. The anarchy that is burgundy demands more than a corkscrew and Reidel glassware.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Joachim
MemberIt was said earlier, but I can just underline the fact that some vintages are much earlier to consume then others. I had perfect experiences with the 2000s in the last years. Just had a Clos Vougeot from Hudellot-Noellat some weeks ago, which was absolutely perfect. Already looking forward to open my 2000 Echezeauxs from Grivot.
And, of course, auctions are a great way to buy matured wine. At least in Europe this is working very well. I had the problem the other way round: When I was starting with Burgundies, I was prety young and had not patience to wait another ten years for maturity. So I bought matured vintages on auctions (mainly internet) and had some great experiences.
Posted 2 years ago #
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