Vosne-Romanée: 2007’s in Bottle
This is something of a holy place for wine-lovers around the world. What do these thousands of tourists who travel along the Grands Crus route every year come to see? Romanée-Conti of course! Fewer than 2 hectares of vines produce barely 6,000 – 7,000 bottles of the most prestigious… Read More
Profile: Maison Champy (Beaune)
Maison Champy, founded in 1720, is, as far as I’m aware, the oldest documented négociant still trading. In their heyday, amongst the many prestigious appellations they owned or commercialised was the monopoly of the Clos de Tart in Morey St.Denis and the Montrachet holdings of the Marquis du… Read More
2004 à la coccinelle
I think I was possibly the first to publicly raise and discuss the ‘vintage character’ of 2004 reds – anecdotally whites are also affected – Christophe Roumier is one who says this – but I’ve not experienced any obvious examples, so from here-on, red it is…… Read More
another reluctant 2005 – bouchard père’s savigny 1er lavières
If I look back to my note from my tasting together with Christophe Bouchard, from a value perspective, this was an easy ‘buy’ for me: 2005 Bouchard Père et Fils, Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières 28th Feb.2007 With almost 4 hectares of vines, Bouchard P&F own… Read More
Round-up of wines tasted
No slurping or spitting! This is a compendium of wines that, in the main, were really drunk with food, friends and family. These wines were typically drunk at home, or at organised dinners between December 2006 and March 2007. Some wines drunk with their producers are included… Read More
Roundup of Wines Tasted
No slurping or spitting! This is a compendium of wines that were (in the main) really drunk with food, friends and family. These wines were mainly drunk at home or at organised dinners between July 2006 – which averaged well over 30°C so plenty of… Read More
Profile: Maison Pierre Bourée (Gevrey-Chambertin)
On the main N74 in Gevrey-Chambertin and close to the traffic lights, you will find a large, well-maintained building that wears discrete plaques on either side of large wooden doors; P.Bourée Fils and Vallet Frères are the names on those plaques. In a world that now panders to point-chasers,… Read More
Profile: Domaine Armand Rousseau (Gevrey)
Armand RousseauIt has been said that if you want the safest route to a fine bottle of Chambertin, or Chambertin Clos de Bèze, then make sure that the label says… Domaine Armand Rousseau Since 1909 the Rousseau family have been based in one of the oldest buildings… Read More
Profile: Maison Albert Bichot (Beaune)
Quick question – can you name the 8th Grand Cru of Chablis? – Sorry, you took too long to answer, but don’t worry, that and the answer to many other questions will become clear as you continue… Maison Albert Bichot is perhaps the sleeper of the large Beaune negociants… Read More