A large part of France has an air pollution problem at the moment; whilst the cold weather is greatly appreciated in the vines, the first real winter for 4 years, the stable high pressure over France means that the air pollution simply doesn’t dissipate.

There is a new ‘prefectural decree‘ which now prohibits vineyard workers, among others, from burning “green waste in the open air” – so no more smoking wheelbarrows in the vines – a source of much comfort for people working in the sub-zero temperatures.

Apparently, this decree is valid as long as the concentration of particles in the air remains above a certain level. The growers have never had such a mandate before! You are also not allowed to throw another log on your fire in the house too as this is not classed as an ‘indispensable source of heating!‘

For the same reason, there is a mandatory 20km per hour speed reduction on the French Autoroute – I drove 355km back to my home in Switzerland yesterday evening – the trucks and cars were ignoring this, but only by a margin of 99.9%…

Both arrived together in the inbox today – interestingly Allen Meadows is 94 points on the 2014, and ‘only’ 92-95 on the 2015. You could end up paying more for the one with the lowest points 🙂

2014 Clos des Lambrays
75cl 159.00 (Swiss francs)
150cl 323.00

2015 Clos des Lambrays
75cl 199.00
150cl 403.00
300cl 856.00

8% Purchase tax to be added, but these are delivered prices…

I really couldn’t resist posting this – they know who they are 🙂

I thought I’d add a little Chablis Les Clos in today’s late afternoon sunshine to help ease these prices through 🙂

Captioned: “And wasn’t last weeks 2014 Clos de Tart cheap!”

Domaine Robert Groffier

Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2015 75cl 38.00 (Swiss Francs*)
Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées 2015 75cl 79.00
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Hauts Doix 2015 75cl 146.00
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Sentiers 2015 75cl 158.00
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 2015 75cl 349.00
Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2015 75cl 349.00
Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2015 75cl 378.00

Domaine de l’Arlot

Nuits-Saint-Georges Mont des Oiseaux 1er Cru 2015 75cl 59.00
Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos de l’Arlot 1er Cru 2015 75cl 79.00
Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos Forêts St-Georges 1er Cru 2015 75cl 79.00
Vosne-Romanée Les Suchots 1er Cru 2015 75cl 109.00
Romanée Saint Vivant Grand Cru 2015 75cl 445.00

This really IS 2015 for you, and will it all sell? Well probably the most expensive will sell, but I have my doubts about the full ranges. Clearly the end for the traditional enthusiasts’ RSVs and even Amoureuses seems to be at hand, but if I may offer just one piece of advice – 38 swiss franc bourgognes? Just say no!

*Note that 8% sales tax is also due, but delivery cost is included…