Pre-Arrival Grand, 1er Cru White, Red Burgundy (Inc. Ponsot) + 95pt Brouilly for $39!
These wines are available on a pre-arrival basis and are expected to arrive January 2024
Frederic Esmonin
Gevrey-Chambertin.
Domaine Frederic Esmonin Ruchottes Chambertin 2022
Offer $529
(20 bottles - 1st in best dressed)
This domaine started in 1988 has a clutch of great plots in Grand and 1er crus! Prior to 1988 it sold the wine to Leroy, Drouhin, Jadot and the like (all three amongst the very fussiest negociants!) Father André started the transition to Domaine bottling and selling, but now son Frederic (now in his 60’s) make these wines.
The whole of Ruchottes is only 3.3ha in total, with the 1ha Rousseau plot and Bonnefond’s .5ha plot (leased to Roumier and thought to be better than the Rousseau Clos)) at the top. Below the Rousseau Clos and adjacent to Mazis, in what is usually thought to be an even better position (although climate change may affect this) is Mugneret Gibourg (.6ha), then Frederic Esmonin (.5ha adjacent to 1er Cr Fontenay); all the other 4 holdings are under .2 ha.
The Esmonin wine is aged in over 80% new oak, and it’s a testament to the power of the wine that the oak is not a major force in the wine. As you can see from Bill Nanson’s notes just below, 2022 was a great success for this wine. Remember that the 2020 Ruchottes from Mugneret Gibourg will set you back about $2K and the Roumier about $3K (and that’s probably conservative!). 60yo vines.
The whole of Ruchottes is only 3.3ha in total, with the 1ha Rousseau plot and Bonnefond’s .5ha plot (leased to Roumier and thought to be better than the Rousseau Clos)) at the top. Below the Rousseau Clos and adjacent to Mazis, in what is usually thought to be an even better position (although climate change may affect this) is Mugneret Gibourg (.6ha), then Frederic Esmonin (.5ha adjacent to 1er Cr Fontenay); all the other 4 holdings are under .2 ha.
The Esmonin wine is aged in over 80% new oak, and it’s a testament to the power of the wine that the oak is not a major force in the wine. As you can see from Bill Nanson’s notes just below, 2022 was a great success for this wine. Remember that the 2020 Ruchottes from Mugneret Gibourg will set you back about $2K and the Roumier about $3K (and that’s probably conservative!). 60yo vines.
“Wow – this starts fine but then quickly takes on a next level of airy floral perfume. Beautifully shaped, structural but nothing hard – broadening with an energy and complexity – density in the middle and finishing flavours too.
Finishing long with a fine and velvet texture. Very lovely and properly GC!” - BurgundyReport.com
Finishing long with a fine and velvet texture. Very lovely and properly GC!” - BurgundyReport.com
“The 2022 is supple in texture, this red boasts cherry, black currant, graphite, and earth notes. Starts out very elegant for the appellation, picking up firm tannins and more weight on the long finish.” Frederic Esmonin.
“So if you love Red Burgundy you really need to buy the Esmonin wines. And, as an added bonus, in today’s Red Burgundy market where prices continue to climb, the Esmonin wines still represent really good value and are some of the very best wines at the best prices. That’s a WIN/WIN folks!" - John Tilson, Underground Wineletter, Dec 2022
Domaine Nicolas Boudeau
Brouilly, Beaujolais
2021 Boudeau Brouilly Garanches
(A special cuvee from 100yo vines)
RRP: $70 Offer: $43 or $39 (in doz lots)
"Here’s a stunningly concentrated and richly textural Brouilly! The mouthfeel on the full-bodied palate is as amazing as the wide spectrum of floral and spice aromas. So much sour cherry fruit behind this, then great crushed rock minerality at the super-long velvety finish. From one-hundred-year-old vines growing on volcanic soil. Sustainable. Drink or hold."
95pts - James Suckling.
95pts - James Suckling.
Domaine Gabriel et Paul Jouard
Chassagne-Montrachet.
Limited - Just under a doz of each wine available.
Paul Jouard took over the 12 hectare estate from his 7th generation winemaker cousins Gabriel and Paul Jouard in 1992 and continues to produce the wines today.
"There are very good wines here. The Vides Bourses as always is the least advanced, but the best" - Clive Coates MW
2021 Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Chaumees - Clos de la Truffiere'
Offer: $248
This is quite a special vineyard, situated near the road heading up to St. Aubin, and just a little up-slope from Montrachet it's above 1er Cru Les Vergers and adjacent to Clos St. Jean. A very nice address! A special part of Chaumees is the Clos de la Truffiere, and only two familys own this patch.
2021 Jouard Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru 'Les Vides Bourses'
Offer: $248
This is Jasper Morris's favourite 1er Cru in Chassagne , as judged from all of my obsessive podcast listening. Just below and touching Batard.
2021 Jouard Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru
Offer: $790
Trying to find a Grand Cru something with "Montrachet" in the name is near impossible these days, so try one of these!
Domaine Ponsot
Chambolle Musigny, France
Very Limited Stock - just a few bottles of each from this exalted estate.
2020 Domaine Ponsot Chapelle-Chambertin Grand Cru
Offer: $990
"Purple colour with density through the middle. Ripe deep purple in colour. There is a bundle of fruit on the nose too, though it is not clear yet where this is heading. Somehow I don’t expect Chapelle to be so fruit forward. A redcurrant undercurrent behind. Will this be nuanced enough? Slightly dry finale." 92-95pts - Jasper Morris MW.
96pts - Tim Atkin MW
2020 Domaine Ponsot Clos de la Roche Grand Cru VV
Offer: $159
"The 2020 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is brooding and powerful, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with sweet spices, licorice, smoke and orange rind. Full-bodied, deep and muscular, with a broad attack that segues into a sweet core of fruit framed by ample reserves of rich, powdery tannins and lively acids, it concludes with a long, resonant finish. Predictably backward, this will require over a decade's patience." 95+pts - William Kelley, Wine Advocate
"The nose is seductively heady but with underlying class. Takes time to dig out, but there is a sensuality waiting to pounce... Jasper Morris MW
2020 Domaine Ponsot Clos Vougeot Grand Cru VV
Offer: $990
"From Petit Maupertuis. Rich heady purple. The nose is excellent, with more open fruit than many of the Ponsot 2020s at this stage. Dark but not black fruit, an excellent thread of acidity which marries well with the fruit, ripe tannins, structure and stature and very attractive fruit." 93-96pts - Jasper Morris MW
2020 Domaine Ponsot Corton Grand Cru ‘Cuvee du Bourdon’
Offer: $890
"70% from Les Paulands 30% Clos du Roi and no Perrières this year. A deep colour, more purple than black. The bouquet is not ready to give much yet. The fruit is powerful on the palate but does not quite fill out the mouth. Dark fruit, plums and rhubarb, some structure behind, and very good length. Slightly saline, even a little bit sweet and sour." 90-93pts - Jasper Morris MW
2020 Domaine Ponsot Corton Bressandes Grand Cru
Offer: $890
"Heady deep purple. There is a little reduction which is currently slightly interfering with the purity of the fruit. Plums in the fruit profile. Late malolactic here may explain the backwardness. Slightly firm finish as a result but here I think the dark fruit does fill out the palate rather more. Acidulated finish." 91-93pts - Jasper Morris MW
2020 Domaine Ponsot Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru
Offer: $990
"This has only just finished its fermentation, so there is a bit more gas. 5 barrels made. Clear pale lemon. Rather reductive on the nose. Interesting lemon scented minerals beneath, not yet together but fine potential. Quite sweetly scented but there is a lot happening here and the structure behind is all that it should be. Is it the oak which gives this extra sucrosity?" 93-95pts - Jasper Morris MW
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