Burgundy & Champagne Tasting - Mellecey Wine Group
Date: Nov 09/12, Fri Time: 03:30:00-08:00:00 Style: Drop-In
Burgundy & Champagne Tasting - The Fine Wine Reserve was pleased to present Cyndi Grossman from the Mellecey Wine Group. Cyndi and her accomplished crew poured 13 selections for our members, including the following Burgundy and Champagne:
Fernand & Laurent Pillot - Since the 19th Century, the Pillot’s have grown grapes in the hills of Chassagne-Montrachet. Fernand and son, Laurent are the 4th generation. Extending the domaine in 1992, again in 2001 taking over the wine Pothier-Rieusset in Pommard. Today the domain covers 14,6 hectares for a total of 22 appellations. All the wines are vinified and matured in a simple yet carefully built modern winery keeping where appropriate with traditional burgundian practices. The “Cote de Beaune” is a geological formation dating back 30-35 million years. It is orientated North-East to South-West over 15 kms, dropping onto the Saone Valley facing the rising sun. The Pillot’s parcels of vines are small, but numerous, in the terroirs Beaune, Pommard, Volnay, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montracht, Saint-Aubin and Santenay. Wines to be sampled include:
2010 Saint-Aubin, Sentier du Clou, Blanc, 1er Cru
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet, Blanc
2010 Chassagne-Montrachet, Vergers Blanc, 1er Cru
2010 Puligny-Montrachet, Les Noyers Brets, Blanc
Domaine Lafouge - On the exclusive slopes behind Meursault we meander through the vineyards of Auxey-Duresses, which combines the rich full character of its neighbours with the more mineral tones of the second line of slopes towards St Roman. Auxey adopted the name of their most famous climate “Les Duresses” with its former hamlets “Auxey-le-Grand” and “Auxey-le-Petit” Once again the village produces white wines on the slopes facing South and red wines on the slopes facing North. The “Terroir” absorbs the heat of the sun during the days giving very ripe grapes at harvest. Auxey-Duresses is a charming little village with about 350 inhabitants, with a total of 25 wine growers in the village. It is here, were we find Domaine Jean and Gilles Lafouge; a family-run estate, for six generations. Jean speaks of his region and its wines with love. A man, undeniably passionate about his craft. Wines to be sampled include:
2009 Auxey-Duresses, Les Ecusseaux, 1er Cru, Rouge - One of the finest 1er Crus of Auxey, this opulent, fruit forward beauty combines ripe cherry and deeper red fruit flavours with the fresh, structured minerality of the Terroir beneath.
2010 Auxey-Duresses, Les Hautes - This classy, great value white, is bright, ripe and fresh, combining acacia flower, with crushed rocks and tingling acidity into a finale of hints of spice and a defy touch of oak.
2010 Auxey–Duresses, Rouge - From some of the best village sites, this red fruit driven, elegant little number is beginning to set palates alight !
2010 Auxey-Duresses, Les Ecusseaux, 1er Cru, Rouge - Not yet as forward as the previous vintage this stunning 2010 is still restrained, but reveals perfect balance, structure, and hints of the minerality which is beginning to blossom – an outstanding vintage for Pinot Noir, this wine will develop complexity and length as it matures.
Domaine Bertrand Machard de Gramont - Bertrand de Gramont Machard established its operations in 1983 after having worked for a long family estate, which can be traced back to 1830. In 2001, the area reached 6 ha through the spectacular terraced replanting Vallerots climate, on a virgin soil, partly abandoned since phylloxera. In 2004, Bertrand was joined by his daughter; Axelle. Their great wines of Burgundy are produced in the towns of Nuits-Saint-Georges and Vosne Romanee. Their wines include: Bourgogne Ailgote, Bourgogne Rouge, Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Terrasses des Vallerots”, Nuits-Saint-Georges “The Vallerots”, Nuits-Saint-Georges “Les Hautes-Pruliers”. Nuits-Saint-Georges “Aux Allots” and Vosne-Romanee. Wines to be sampled include:
2009 Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Terrasses des Vallerots
2009 Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Allots
Champagne Legras et Haas – This house is relatively a new name in the production of champagne, but the family history comes with seven generations of wine producers. Francois Legras was taught at a very early age by his father; Lucien. Then in turn, Francois became the wine maker at the prestigious champagne firm R&L Legras. In fifty years of an eventful career, his passion never left him and in 1991 the new house Legras et Haas was founded with his wife Brigitte. His great experience in growing, making and blending is a true guarantee of the impeccable reputation synonymously famous with top producers in all of Champagne. These wines can be found on wine lists in most of France’s Michelin star restaurants. The first few acres, of the current family domaine, were purchased over two hundred years ago. These vineyards include some of the most highly regarded terroirs in Champagne. Today, Legras et Haas owns vineyards in both the Cote des Blancs (Chardonnay) and in the Aube (Pinot Noir) which is regarded as some of the very best producing vineyards in Champagne. This diversity of terroir not only helps them remain independent, but it also helps to insure the quality of their wines from year to year. In addition, this exceptional palette of terroir allows them to make very complex and exceptional wines. Champagnes to be sampled include:
NV Champagne Tradition
NV Champagne Rose
NV Champagne Exigence
Mellecey's is a classy operation and a superb host. Music, table cloths and fine wines accompanied by French treats including Fois Gras on toast points, smoked salmon mousse to compliment the champagne and warm gougeres. Much fun was had by all, and our members look forward to their return!!
www.vinpillot.com
www.lafouge.eu/en
www.bertrand-macharddegramont.fr
www.legras-et-haas.com
