Burgundy

Tasting notes: Well-made wine from an excellent negociant. Soft and round with overtones of red fruits. A good, easy drinking wine and a very good introduction to the charms of Burgundy.

Region: France

Background: Henri Champliau is a family winery located in Mercurey, region of Burgundy - France. Founded by Alexandre Graffard, grandson of Henri Champliau, we produce AOC Crémant de Bourgogne and a 'Signatures' range to the same high-quality standards of our winery.

Tasting notes: A youthful rose-pink colour, refined and light bubbles note of raspberry and cherry and a natural generosity which comes straight from the grape. Produced using the ancestral method to give a 'demi-sec' sparkling wine with a low alcohol content.

Tasting notes: Chablis is the purest expression of Chardonnay. Layers of green apple skin, lemon brulee and apricot.

Region: France, Burgundy, Beaujolais

Grape variety: Gamay

Background: Régnard, one of the oldest and most prestigious houses in Chablis, was founded in 1860 by Zéphir Regnard. In 1984, Baron Patrick de Ladoucette purchased Regnard and has perpetuated the style and tradition of the wines ever since. The Baron's experience in modernizing the de Ladoucette cellars in Pouilly-sur-Loire inspired him to make similar changes at Régnard, including thermo-controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks and sodium lamps in the aging sheds to prevent light damage.

Tasting notes: A dark red colour with violet highlights. An expressive bouquet full of the aromas of red fruit (raspberries and strawberries) accompanied by a small and agreeable vegetable point. The palate is agreeable and elegant with a frank attack accompanied by a light tangy note.

Tasting notes: A dark red colour with purple hues. On the nose, complex aromas of cherries and raspberries emerge mixed with soft spicy notes. The palate is well balanced and noted for its fine and silky tannins with more flavours of red fruit coming through. The finish is long and lingering. A classic example of Pinot Noir from Burgundy.

Region: France, Burgundy, Cotes de Beaune

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Tasting notes: Golden yellow colour. On the nose there are scents of pear, lemon, floral notes, and a light hint of vanilla. In the mouth there are flavours of pears, caramel, granny smith apples and a light hint of vanilla at the tail end of the finish. Showing basic scents of Bartlett pear, faint hints of vanilla and golden apples with weak acidity.

Corton-Charlemagne 2018 is a powerful, complex wine. Its nose is intense, with notes of white stone fruits such as white peach, fresh hazelnut, vanilla, almond paste and roasting. The wine is full-bodied for the palate, and the vanilla is complemented by aromas of fresh almond and lime blossom. The experience ends with a very fine aromatic aftertaste that has subtle saline notes.

Region: France, Burgundy, Cotes du Nuits

Grapes variety: Pinot Noir

Tasting notes: Beautiful bright mid purple, bursting with energy on the nose. This is very typical Chambolle but with excellent tension, filling the middle of the palate then stretching out behind. Peonies, ripe cherries, really lovely.

Tasting notes: Great classic red Burgundy. Elegant plum and birch aromas, earth, redcurrants and truffle perfumes develop in the glass. Complex red fruit, pine, and spices blend well with the elegant acid and fine tannins.

Region: France, Burgundy, Chablis

Brilliant light gold. Fine and mineral, with beautiful shelly notes. Both fresh and mineral, just like the nose, this wine offers a sapid juice, where harmony between citrus, saline and iodine notes reigns.

A generous wine with excellent mineral characteristics. Made from a careful blending, this is truly the wine style of Pascal Bouchard. This is an intense and racy wine.

Region: France, Burgundy, Cotes de Beaune

Grape variety: Pinot Noir & Gamay

Background: Balandot Beaune from Domaine Moillard is a red wine from the Beaune region in Burgundy.

Tasting notes: In the mouth this red wine has real freshness and offers a great aromatic expression. Typical Beaune burgundy woody raspberry & strawberry with a silky and gourmet finish.

Food pairing: Ideal with a leg of lamb.

Region: France, Burgundy

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Tasting notes: Medium body, bright golden colour. Intense orchard fruits dried flowers aroma. Peaches and pears palate following by, mineral notes and long nutty finish of gentle acidity. Still crisp and fresh, creamy, complex and balanced.

Region: France, Burgundy

Grape variety: Chardonnay 

Tasting notes: The wines are showing a good acidity level. They are briny with citrus hints. It is a very classic and harmonious vintage in Chablis.

Region: France, Burgundy

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Tasting notes: Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Clos de la Chatenière opens in the glass with scents of pear, gunflint, musk melon, wheat toast, wet stones and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, ample but controlled, its concentrated core of fruit is underpinned by lively acids and elegantly chalky structure.

Reviews

Region: France, Burgundy, Cote d'Or, Saint Aubin

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Background: Domaine Hubert Lamy is a wine estate based in Saint-Aubin, Burgundy, producing well-regarded wines from that appellation. The domaine also has holdings in neighbouring appellations in the Côte de Beaune, including a tiny plot in the Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, several holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, and beyond. The domain was established in 1973, but the Lamy family history of vine growing in Saint-Aubin dates back to 1640. Since setting up, Hubert Lamy has passed management of the domaine onto his son, the Méo-Camuzet-trained Olivier Lamy and his wife Karine. The estate now covers just under 20 hectares (50 acres) across Saint-Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay. However, the majority of the domaine vineyards are in Saint-Aubin, with around two-thirds of the holdings are given to Chardonnay and the remaining third, Pinot Noir.

Tasting notes: This cuvée is from 10 parcels covering three hectares of village-level St Aubin. It’s aged mostly in larger 500- and 600-litre demi-muids, about 10% of which are new. These vines are mostly in the cooler parts of the village; they manifest themselves in a lemon-zest freshness that kicks in at the finish.

Region: France, Burgundy

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Tasting notes: Pale gold. Floral notes of hawthorn and acacia, with a hint of citrus. A pleasant wine with woody and floral notes, a touch of lemon and a rich finale offering a nice sensation of roundness in the mouth.

Region: France

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Background: Located in the north of Burgundy, in the Yonne department, the appellation extends over twenty communes bordering the pretty valley of the Serein. Its vineyard benefits from an exceptional and highly envied geological implantation. The roots will draw all their resources from its predominantly clay-limestone soil dating from the Jurassic, more precisely from the Kimmeridgian (150 million years ago).

Vinification and ageing: Once arrived in the cellar, the grapes go through a long pneumatic pressing before static settling and alcoholic fermentation with yeasts selected in stainless steel tanks under temperature control of 18 to 20 ° C to preserve a maximum of fruit. Departure in malolactic fermentation quickly after the end of alcoholic fermentations to finish at 100% in January. The wine is then aged on fine lees for a period of 5 to 7 months.

Tasting notes: Chablis is known as the “purest expression of Chardonnay” – and this is a great example from a well renowned producer.

The colour is beautiful pale gold. The nose is rather an intense bouquet on grapefruit zest and cherry blossoms. On the palate it is a fresh and sweet wine, with aromas of lime, pear and hazelnut. The finish is saline, iodized and persistent.  

Food pairing: To be enjoyed on white meats, sushi and sashimi, chicken with cream, shellfish, lobster and fish in general.

Region: France

Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Background: It is a regional appellation, the grapes of this appellation can be harvested throughout Burgundy. The grapes of the Bourgogne Pinot Noir come particularly from the south of Burgundy (vineyards of the Mâconnais, Côte Chalonnaise).

Vinification and ageing: Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with daily pumping over and flexible punching. The duration of maceration is about 15 days. Partial aging in barrels of 1 to 3 wines in order to soften and round the tannins, for a period of 6 months.

Tasting notes: The colour is ruby with purplish reflections. Domination of red fruits (strawberry, cherry), with a small note of spices and toast. The palate is ample, bright fruity with a slight woody. Persistent, firm, and well balanced.

Food pairing: This Bourgogne Pinot Noir will go perfectly with grilled or roasted red meats, light game, soft cheeses.

Region: France

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Background: South of the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, Chassagne-Montrachet shares with Puligny the undisputed prince of all the dry white wines of creation: the divine Montrachet (pronounced Mon-rachet). This wide and beautiful hillside brings to excellence the two Burgundy grape varieties.

Region: France

Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir

Background: Communal appellation of the Côte de Nuits, harvested from the delimited parts of the villages of Gevrey-Chambertin and Brochon. The appellation covers 400 hectares, 86 of which are classified as Premier Cru.

Vinification and ageing: The grapes are 100% destemmed but not crushed (so whole) and put in vats by gravity. Total maceration 24 days including one week cold (12 ° C): fermentation in indigenous yeasts only (no oenological adjuvant added such as enzymes or tannin). Infrequent trapping (8 maximum). Aging of 16 months on lees without racking, 40% new barrels, wood of French origin, long heating at low temperature for a delicate wood.

Tasting notes: The colour is brilliant, ruby in colour with garnet highlights. The aromas of strawberry, blackberry and liquorice. Some peppery notes. The palate is powerful wine, firm structure with silky tannins.

Food pairing: To be enjoyed on meat and small game, such as a beef fillet or eggs en meurette, but also to accompany a beautiful platter of regional cheeses such as Amour de Nuits, Époisses and Cîteaux.

Region: France

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Background: Meursault is an appellation in the south of the Côte de Beaune which takes its name from the village of Meursault. It covers an area of 396 hectares, including 108 classified Premiers Crus. Best known for its white wines that represent 97% of production, it is located at the northern tip of the Golden Triangle, an area renowned for producing the best white wines in Burgundy and bounded by the villages of Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet.

Vinification and ageing: Pneumatic pressing followed by cold settling between 16 & 24 hours, with the aim of removing coarse sloughs (solid particles from the skin, stems, films, impurities that are deposited by sedimentation). Alcoholic fermentations in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks for precise temperature control and homogeneity of the cuvée then funning at the end of fermentation. Ageing of wines in barrels of 228 liters mainly (a few half-muids) on fine lees for 9 months. Occasional stirring (about 2 times a month) until malolactic fermentation in order to develop both complex aromas and preserve the purity of the fruit, to protect the wine from oxidation (wall and bounce hole) but also from reduction (accumulation of sometimes sulfurous deposits in the bottom of the barrel or vat), by resuspending the fine lees.

Tasting notes: The colour is beautiful pale gold, clear and shiny. On the nose floral bouquet and finely woody on vanilla aromas. On the palate, it is a beautiful white Burgundy, frank and elegant, with a nice woodiness and a beautiful hold in the mouth.

Food pairing: Goes well with fish, grilled lobster, shellfish, prawns, or blue cheeses.

Background: The communal appellation Pouilly-Fuissé is located south of the Mâconnais vineyard. It covers the villages of Fuissé, Solutré-Pouilly, Vergisson and Chaintré. As soon as the relief increases, south of Mâcon, around the famous rocks of Vergisson and Solutré, the vineyard of Pouilly Fuissé, on clay-limestone soils of the Jurassic, completely covers the steep slopes on small steep cirques.

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Tasting notes: The colour is beautiful pale gold with green highlights. On the nose a delicate fruitiness on yellow-fleshed fruits and citrus notes. The palate is lively, fresh and harmonious. The flavours are both mineral and fruity. A wine of beautiful typicity, full of charm.

Food pairing: Aperitif, salads and cold starters, seafood and fish and white meats.

Background: Puligny-Montrachet is a village on the Côte de Beaune located in the area producing the greatest white wines of Burgundy: the Golden Triangle, bounded by the villages of Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. The village takes its name from the Gallo-Roman era when during the first settlements it was named Puliniacus – the house of the marshes. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the name of Montrachet was attached to it.

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Vinification and ageing: The grapes, harvested by hand, are sorted in the vineyards and on arrival in the winery to ensure a rigorous selection of the bunches. They are then pressed in a pneumatic press that allows a perfect and delicate extraction of the juice while respecting the integrity of the grapes. Vinification and aging are done with 40% new barrels. This ensures that the wine has a slow and continuous oxygenation, as well as olfactory contributions. The wine is aged for 10 months on lees with a few batonnages, which will give the wine more complexity.

Tasting notes: The colour is a beautiful white gold, brilliant. Lemony aromas, a hint of citrus enhanced by elegant toasted and vanilla notes. On the palate, this beautiful Burgundy is fresh and airy. It offers a beautiful minerality, a delicate woody and a long finish.

Food pairing: This great white of Burgundy is intended to honor a refined cuisine: Bresse chicken in sauce, seared veal with mushrooms, foie gras, lobster and lobster, sea fish and cheeses such as goats, Reblochon and Brie de Meaux.

Region: France, Burgundy, Mâconnais

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Background: Regional appellation of the Mâconnais wine-growing district (dept. of Saône-et-Loire) in the South of Burgundy. Grapes are harvested in Lugny commune. The word Villages or the name of the commune of origin, just as Lugny here, may only be added to the word Mâcon for wines harvested within the defined area of the Macon-Villages appellation consisting of 26 named communes and grouped together.

Terroir: The terroir in the Mâconnais is quite different than that of Burgundy's northern regions. Here it is clay, silica or granite-based. It is particularly because of these differences in terroir that the wines made from the Chardonnay grapes harvested in this region have a mineral freshness about them that is a delight for those who like a change from the warmer more honeyed flavoured white wines of the Côte d'Or just north of the Mâconnais.

Vinification and maturing: Vinification takes place in thermo-regulated stainless steel tanks. The   wine is partially aged in tanks and partially aged in barrels.

Tasting notes: Clear and shiny goldfish yellow, with green hints. The nose is fresh and complex with flavours of white flowers and dried fruits with subtle notes of acacia. Medium-body, rich and balanced wine with a slightly spicy finish.

Food pairing: Serve with seafood, quiches, grilled fish and goat's cheese.

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Background: Antonin Rodet is the exclusive winegrower and distributor of this ancient fortified Chateau dating back to the 12th Century has remained the property of the same family since its origins and today is the symbol of the village of Rully. The origin of "La Pucelle" comes from the way the land was divided in the family: the youngest daughter (a virgin in comparison with her elder sisters) was also given a plot as an inheritance. The vineyard estate covers nowadays over 12 hectares, producing about 60% of Premiers Crus.

Vinification and maturing: The plot was harvested on September 2020, the 3rd. Grapes were hand harvested, carefully sorted and put into boxes, to avoid bruising or crushing. Once at the winery, the grapes went in a bladder press where they were squeezed from the inside to get the best quality of juice with a minimal exposure to oxygen. Then, the must was left to settle for 24 hours to clarify before starting fermentation. Vinification took place for a part in stainless steel tanks. Once the alcoholic fermentation was achieved, the wine was casked for a 9-month ageing period in oak barrels on thin lees. Stirring was occasional (twice a month) until the beginning of the malolactic fermentation. It prevented the wine from oxidising and helped develop its complexity. To complete the ageing process, we used a proportion of 25% new barrels to give more structure to the wine and bring more roundness.

Tasting notes: The colour is golden yellow. Aromas of citrus and exotic fruits (pineapple) carried by elegant woody notes. In the mouth, a mineral attack on citrus and exotic fruits, mostly pineapple again. An ample yet lively wine perfectly expressing the parcel terroir with a beautiful length on citrus aromas.

Food pairing: Enjoy with cold cuts, hot first courses, seafood, shellfish, fine fish or white meats in light sauces, fine cheeses, poultry in sauce.

Region: France, Burgundy

Grapre variety: Pinot Noir