| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Bts |
Qty |
| | Burgundy Red |
| Maison Alex Gambal |
2014 |
Chambolle Musigny  ex-Domaine |
$69.99 |
36 |
|
| |
| WS 91 (5/2017): This is juicy and pungent, with wild berry and spice aromas and flavors. Earthy vegetal accents add interest as this picks up a mineral element on the finish. Best from 2019 through 2030. 75 cases made. |
|
|
2015 |
Chambolle Musigny ex-Domaine |
$69.99 |
16 |
|
| |
| BH 88-91 (4/2017): Reduction presently dominates the underlying fruit. Otherwise there is both better precision and more minerality if less volume and underlying material to the medium weight flavors that culminate in a linear and youthfully austere finish that offers good if not truly exceptional depth and persistence. Drink 2022+. |
|
|
2015 |
Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru Aux Echanges ex-Domaine |
$99.99 |
38 |
|
| |
| BH 90-93 (4/2017): (vinified with 40% whole clusters.) Reduction flattens the fruit but the floral characters from the whole cluster ferment are still discernible. Otherwise there is an even finer mouth feel to the more evidently mineral-inflected flavors that aren't quite as rich as those of the Charmes, all wrapped in a dusty, mouth coating and beautifully well-balanced and slightly firmer finish. These two Chambolle 1ers are quite qualitatively similar but offer two very different expressions. Drink 2025+. Outstanding! |
|
|
2015 |
Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru ex-Domaine |
$154.99 |
12 |
|
| |
| BH 91-94 (4/2017): ( from Mazoyères; vinified with 70% whole clusters.) Moderate wood frames notably ripe yet still agreeably fresh aromas that combine overtly floral notes with those of cassis, forest floor and warm earth. Like the Argillières, the tannins are notably fine which adds a touch of refinement to the sappy but robust and powerful broad-shouldered flavors where the velvet texture of the mid-palate contrasts substantially with the borderline rustic finale. This firmly structured effort should amply reward extended cellaring yet it's not especially austere and thus should drink well young too. Drink 2027+. |
|
|
2014 |
Gevrey Chambertin ex-Domaine |
$57.99 |
51 |
|
| |
| BH 88 (4/2016): (from Champ in Brochon.) An expressive nose blends notes of both upper and lower register fruit that include wild cherry and black currant along with hints of earth and forest floor. There is good vibrancy to the pliant lighter weight flavors that exhibit only a trace of rusticity on the focused and persistent finish. This relatively easy-going effort should be approachable in its youth if desired. Drink 2020+. |
|
|
2015 |
Gevrey Chambertin ex-Domaine |
$59.99 |
31 |
|
| |
| BH 89-91 (4/2017): (from Champ in Brochon.) There are abundant warm earth and sauvage nuances present on the essence of dark berry liqueur-like suffused nose. The brooding, intense and muscular flavors possess very fine volume as well as a discreet minerality that continues onto the serious, persistent and balanced finish. This is sufficiently firmly structured to suggest that most of a decade will be necessary for it to arrive at its peak. Worth a look. Drink 2023+. Outstanding Top Value! |
|
|
2015 |
Pommard ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
44 |
|
| |
|
|
2014 |
Savigny les Beaune Grands Picotins ex-Domaine |
$37.99 |
21 |
|
| |
| BH 88 (4/2016): There is just enough reduction present to push the underlying fruit to the background so I would advise decanting this first if you're tempted to try a bottle upon release. Otherwise there is a lovely sense of energy to the delineated and slightly more voluminous flavors that possess a suave and refreshing mouth feel, all wrapped in a delicious and solidly persistent finish. This is a fine Savigny villages. |
|
|
2015 |
Savigny les Beaune Grands Picotins ex-Domaine |
$37.99 |
6 |
|
| |
| BH 88-91 (4/2017): There is just enough wood present to mention though not so much to impede an assessment of the equally earthy liqueur-like dark currant-suffused nose. There is a bit more volume and richness to the sappy medium-bodied flavors that possess a velvety texture thanks to the abundant dry extract that buffers the moderately firm tannic spine on the lingering finale. This is worth a look as it's a quality Savigny villages. Drink 2022+. |
|
|
2014 |
Volnay ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
37 |
|
| |
| BH 87-89 (4/2016): Here the pretty and perfumed nose is also overtly expressive with its array of red currant, raspberry and plum scents that are trimmed in background hints of spice and warm earth. There is reasonably good concentration to the sleek and intense middle weight flavors that culminate in a dusty and moderately austere finish that delivers solid depth and length. Drink 2019+. |
|
|
2015 |
Volnay ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
49 |
|
| |
| BH 88-91 (4/2017): More subtle though certainly not invisible wood sets off a pretty nose of plum, earth and lovely violet scents. The mouth feel of the middle weight and lightly mineral-inflected flavors is also velvety and seductive while delivering fine length on the youthfully austere finish where an interesting note of orange peel surfaces. Drink 2022+. |
|
|
2015 |
Vosne Romanee ex-Domaine |
$69.99 |
25 |
|
| |
| BH 89-91 (4/2017): (from Vigneux and Les Barreaux.) Gambal always seems to do well with this wine and 2015 is no exception with its exuberantly spicy nose of cassis, plum and Asian-style tea. The opulent and lavishly rich flavors coat the mouth and the old vine sappiness is very much in evidence and particularly so on the impressively long finish as it buffers the moderately firm tannins. Still, this should be reasonably approachable young if desired. Drink 2022+. Outstanding! |
|
|
2013 |
Vosne Romanee Vieilles Vignes ex-Domaine |
$72.99 |
32 |
|
| |
| BH 88-90 (4/2015): (from Vigneux and Les Barreaux). Reduction. There is a wonderfully seductive texture to the velvety and delicious flavors that are blessed with an abundance of palate coating and tannin buffering dry extract. Like the Grèves however the finish displays enough bitterness to comment on which is once again probably due to the copious level of gas but that is an educated guess rather than something of which I am sure. Drink 2021+. |
|
|
2014 |
Vosne Romanee Vieilles Vignes ex-Domaine |
$69.99 |
51 |
|
| |
| BH 88-90 (4/2016): (from Vigneux and Les Barreaux.) An all but mute nose only reticently gives up soft spice notes. There is fine volume, richness and mid-palate density to the seductively textured middle weight flavors that also coat the palate with dry extract before terminating in a lingering and balanced finish where a hint of austerity appears. This will need at least 3 to 4 years of bottle age first and should reward 6 to 8. Drink 2021+. |
|
|
2013 |
Vougeot Clos du Village ex-Domaine |
$53.99 |
8 |
|
| |
WS 93 (3/2016): Loaded with black cherry, blackberry, violet, licorice and spice flavors, this red is suave and polished. Firms up on the finish, with a long, saturated aftertaste of dark fruit, toast, spice and licorice accents. Best from 2020 through 2035. 3 cases imported.
BH 87-90 (4/2015): (vinified with 40% whole clusters) Here there is no reduction with plenty of earth and floral elements adding breadth to the pretty and very fresh red berry fruit scents. Like many of the wines in the range this possesses a lovely mouth feel as the delicious, energetic and well-detailed flavors exhibit a cool, restrained and slightly austere finale. This should be a lovely villages with a few years of cellar time. Drink 2019+. |
|
|
2014 |
Vougeot Clos du Village ex-Domaine |
$63.99 |
5 |
|
| |
| BH 89 (4/2016): Here the relatively high-toned nose offers up an airy array of various red berries and discreet spice elements along with a hint of earth. There is a notably finer mouth feel to the mineral-inflected and beautifully delineated flavors that possess a clean and dry-in-the-best-sense finale of excellent length. This is on the lighter side but I really like the delivery. I would suggest giving this beauty a few years of bottle age first as it's presently rather tightly wound. Recommended. Drink 2020+. Top Value! |
|
| | Burgundy White |
| Maison Alex Gambal |
2012 |
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru ex-Domaine |
$365 |
3 |
|
| |
| BH 90-93 (6/2014): (from a .18 ha parcel on the Puligny side.)Reduction flattens the fruit but there is good energy and freshness to the big-bodied and sleekly muscular flavors that possess a plenitude of dry extract that coats the palate on the explosively long finish where the only nit is a very mild trace of warmth. This too should drink well young though it should also reward 4 to 7 years of cellaring. Drink 2017+. |
|
|
2013 |
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru ex-Domaine |
$385 |
8 |
|
| |
WS 93 (3/2016): Ramped up, with vanilla, clove and nutmeg notes complementing the ripe peach and melon flavors, this is about as opulent as a 2013 gets, yet there is good acidity and a buttery accent on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 2 cases imported.
BH 90-93 (6/2015): (from a .18 ha parcel on the Puligny side) A complex and highly nuanced nose features notes of spiced pear, apple and white flowers, all of which is trimmed in soft oak. The rich, full and powerful big-bodied flavors brim with an abundance of dry extract that imparts a seductive texture to the mid-palate as well as buffers the firm acidity on the powerful finish. While this will certainly be capable of rewarding mid-term cellaring it is already accessible. Drink 2020+. |
|
|
2014 |
Batard Montrachet Grand Cru ex-Domaine |
$355 |
6 |
|
| |
JS 95-96 (6/2015): This shows such beautiful depth and structure with layers of fruit and density. Full and tight; goes on for minutes. What a wine. Barrel sample.
BH 91-94 (6/2016): ( from a .18 ha parcel on the Puligny side.) Here the beautifully layered if restrained nose is at once cool but ripe with its combination of lemon, apple, acacia, spice and pain grillé scents. There is exceptionally good richness to the almost thick and full-bodied flavors that possess a caressing and highly seductive mouth feel yet make no mistake this is one very powerful wine that retains an impeccable sense of balance. What this isn't, at least not yet, is impressively complex yet once again there is the underlying material present such that more could develop. |
|
|
2015 |
Bourgogne Chardonnay ex-Domaine |
$25.99 |
62 |
|
| |
| BH 86-88 (6/2017): (a blend of Savigny and Meursault fruit with about 5% pinot beurot.) A discreet but not invisible application of wood sets off the ripe but cool aromas of green apple and various citrus nuances. The delicious and sappy flavors are also agreeably energetic while offering perfectly good depth and length on the bitter lemon-inflected finish. Drink 2018+. |
|
|
2015 |
Chassagne Montrachet ex-Domaine |
$49.99 |
13 |
|
| |
| BH 87-90 (6/2017): Notes of resin, petrol and various white orchard fruit aromas precede the exceptionally rich, round and sappy broad-shouldered flavors that possess a caressing mouth feel that contrasts somewhat with the muscular, rustic and chewy finish. This robust effort is almost old school in character. Drink 2020+. |
|
|
2015 |
Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Maltroie ex-Domaine |
$69.99 |
43 |
|
| |
| BH 89-91 (6/2017): An expressive and slightly more elegant nose of pear, apple and citrus rind is trimmed in just enough wood to merit mentioning. Consistent with the nose the medium weight flavors possess a bit more refinement as well while delivering fine length on the dry and focused if not especially complex finish. I would expect more depth to develop if this is allowed a few years of bottle age. Drink 2021+. |
|
|
NV |
Cremant de Bourgogne ex-Domaine; 2013 Base |
$24.99 |
17 |
|
| |
|
|
2015 |
Fixin ex-Domaine |
$32.99 |
25 |
|
| |
| BH 87-89 (6/2017): A pungent assortment of petrol, oak and white orchard fruit aromas introduces attractively vibrant and stony medium-bodied flavors that exhibit solid persistence on the moderately dry if not especially complex finish. Despite the absence of better than average depth I very much like the refreshing character and this should drink well early. Drink 2019+ |
|
|
2015 |
Meursault ex-Domaine |
$56.99 |
42 |
|
| |
| BH 88-91 (6/2017): Enough wood to mention frames the ripe pear, apple, hazelnut and citrus zest-scented nose. There is a caressing mouth feel to the creamy and almost tender middle weight flavors that tighten up somewhat on the focused, delicious and lightly stony finish. This is a forward but balanced Meursault villages that should drink well early. Drink 2020+. |
|
|
2015 |
Puligny Montrachet ex-Domaine |
$58.99 |
30 |
|
| |
| BH 88-91 (4/2017): ( from Grands Champs and Petits Grands Champs which sit below Clavoillon.) Firm reduction dominates the nose today. On the plus side there is excellent richness and volume to the sappy and solidly concentrated medium-bodied flavors that coat the palate with dry extract on the textured finish that is borderline chewy. Drink 2020+. |
|
|
2015 |
St. Aubin 1er Cru Les Murgers des Dents de Chien ex-Domaine |
$44.99 |
31 |
|
| |
| BH 88-91 (6/2017): An appealingly layered nose offers up notes of petrol, lemon rind and ripe essence of pear and apple scents. There is impressive richness to the relatively powerful flavors that brim with dry extract that easily buffers the acid spine that is just firm enough to maintain the proper sense of balance. This too should be approachable young. Drink 2020+. |
|
|
2015 |
St. Romain ex-Domaine |
$29.99 |
15 |
|
| |
| BH 87-90 (6/2017): An ultra-fresh, cool and airy nose combines notes of green apple, citrus and a variety of floral scents. The palate impression of the delicious and detailed flavors is equally refreshing while delivering evident minerality on the clean and agreeably dry finish. St. Romain generally did very well in 2015 and this is just one more quality example. Drink 2019+. |
|
| | Other France |
| Maison Alex Gambal |
2015 |
Cote de Brouilly ex-Domaine |
$26.99 |
15 |
|
| |
| BH 89-92 (6/2017): A very ripe yet fresh nose combines notes of plum and black cherry liqueur with those of pepper and earth nuances. There is excellent volume to the succulent, rich and round flavors that possess fine mid-palate density, all wrapped in a complex, delicious and reasonably well-balanced finale though there is a hint of warmth. Still, this is really very good and a wine that could easily be enjoyed young. Drink 2020+.Outstanding! |
|