The heart of the Cote d’Or is bookended by the villages of Maranges to the south and Marsannay to the north. Over 10,000 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are planted along this 35 mile stretch of the east facing “golden slope” and for many the bottles that emanate from this hallowed zone represent the most complex and rewarding examples of each cultivar. For our November explorer pack we have selected three examples each of Bourgogne Blanc and Rouge from several different villages scattered throughout the Cote d’Or in an effort to provide a glimpse into the world of Burgundy.
While it was a trick to stay at the $150 budget for this edition, we are happy to report it may represent the best value explorer pack to date. The wines are in stock, please let us know of your interest.
2019 Alain Chavy
Bourgogne Blanc
Sourced from vineyards in and around Puligny-Montrachet, the Chavy Blanc offers a combination of bright, yellow fruit and focused mineral character. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, a small portion of which are new. 2.5 acres of 20 year-old vines are employed for the Bourgogne Blanc
2019 Francois Carillon
Bourgogne Blanc
The famous Carillon estate was split between brothers Francois and Jacques in 2010 ensuring the Carillon name, a staple in Puligny since the 16th century, continues. Francois’ wines are always generous and forward, with just the right amount of new oak influence. The 2019 is especially pliant owing to the ripe character of the vintage. The fruit for this bottling is sourced from 30-60 year-old estate vines located near Puligny and Meursault.
2018 Boyer-Martenot
Bourgogne Blanc
The Boyer-Martenot estate was founded in the late 1800’s and today encompasses 24 acres of vineyards located almost entirely in the village of Meursault. Vincent Boyer manages the vineyard and winemaking here, fashioning 13 cuvees of white burgundy. The Bourgogne Blanc is the product of 50-70 year-old vines located in Meursault and is aged in a combination of used barrel and concrete egg for 20 months. This is a complex, age worthy white that provides abundant citrus fruit and crushed stone.
2018 Bitouzet-Prieur
Bourgogne Rouge
The Bitouzet family has been producing acclaimed red burgundies in the village of Volnay since the mid-1800’s. The wines found at this venerable property exude class and typicity along with the ability to evolve positively over a number of years. The Bourgogne Rouge is sourced from vineyards planted in the 1960’s just outside of the Volnay appellation. This is an aromatic Pinot Noir that features a particularly delicate, floral nose partnered with a racy, fresh palate.
2019 Francois Carillon
Bourgogne Rouge
A relatively new cuvee for the property, Carillon’s Bourgogne Rouge comes from several vineyards located in the Cote de Beaune. Rich and red fruited, there is also a subtle spice component to this Pinot Noir which adds notable complexity. Ready to drink today and over the next 1-2 years, this wine showcases the plushness common to the best reds of the Cote de Beaune.
2019 Pierre Gelin
Bourgogne Rouge
The Gelin family is the best known of all the growers in the northern Cote d’Or appellation of Fixin. The Gelin domaine was founded in 1925 and today farms 32 acres divided between their home village as well as Gevrey Chambertin. There is a firmness and grip to the house style which works perfectly with the ripe, clean fruit of the 2019 vintage. This is a powerful, almost wild natured red that includes a healthy dose of earth and spice to go along with its big red fruit.