WINE MERCHANTS 2012 BURGUNDY MAGNIFICENT QUALITY TINY QUANTITY

Transcription

1 WINE MERCHANTS 2012 BURGUNDY MAGNIFICENT QUALITY TINY QUANTITY

2 Contents Page Domaine Daniel Dampt & Fils, Chablis 2 Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils, Chablis 3 Domaine Patrick Guillot, Mercurey 4 Domaine Claudie Jobard, Rully 5 Domaine Françoise & Denis Clair, Santenay 6 Domaine Blain-Gagnard, Chassagne-Montrachet 8 Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain, Chassagne-Montrachet 12 Olivier Leflaive - Récolte du Domaine, Puligny-Montrachet 13 Etienne Sauzet, Puligny-Montrachet 16 Domaine Franck Grux, Meursault 18 Domaine Roulot, Meursault 19 Domaine Agnès Paquet, Meloisey 20 Domaine Jean-Marc Bouley, Volnay 21 Domaine Seguin-Manuel, Beaune 22 Domaine Champy, Beaune 23 Domaine Faiveley, Nuits-Saint-Georges 26 Domaine Georges Mugneret-Gibourg, Vosne-Romanée 29 Domaine Georges Roumier, Chambolle-Musigny 31 Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier, Chambolle-Musigny 33 Domaine des Lambrays, Morey-Saint-Denis 34 Domaine Drouhin-Laroze, Gevrey-Chambertin 35 Ways to order & in bond purchasing details 37 These wines are offered in bond UK, for delivery during 2014 Unless otherwise indicated, prices are of 12 x 75cl bottles For further information or to place an order Please contact one of our offices: Gloucestershire stow@hhandc.co.uk London london@hhandc.co.uk Hampshire whitchurch@hhandc.co.uk Or visit our website:

3 Magnificent Quality Tiny Quantity The Wines A Snapshot The 2012 Reds The reds in 2012 are particularly successful. They are ripe, attractive wines with fleshy textures and good harmony. From Gevrey down to Mercurey, we find Pinot Noirs with dense fruitiness, remarkable concentration, gentle tannins, and welcome freshness. While some will reward extensive cellaring, others will give enormous pleasure in the not-so-distant future. The quantities are small, so Burgundy lovers should not delay acquiring these wines when first offered, as the best will be snapped up quickly. The 2012 Whites The small yields and favourable weather pre-harvest have given round, luscious white wines for sub, youthful drinking. The intensity of a great white Burgundy vintage may not be evident, but the opulent generosity of these 2012s, combined with their bright acidity and natural tension, will give enormous pleasure. For us, Chablis is one of the great successes in 2012 the wines are classically crisp and taut, with ripe flavours and sub transparency of vineyard character. The 2012 Growing Season & Harvest Tasting with Jean-Marc Roulot in Meursault this autumn, he stressed that the 2012 vintage (his 24th) was psychologically his most challenging ever. Indeed, the 2012 growing season was emotionally draining for growers across the region. Spring was slow to arrive, and flowering took place over a longer iod than usual in damp, cool conditions. This naturally reduced the size of the crop: poor fruit set caused lots of small berries to be formed. Fortunately, a small harvest and grapes with thick skins are both quality factors, which contribute to giving concentrated, structured wines. Three hailstorms swept over parts of the Côte de Beaune during the summer: 7th June, 30th June and 1st August. Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault, Volnay and Pommard were worst hit. For some growers, these localised storms had a devastating impact on yields. Furthermore, strong sunshine between 17th-21st August caused some exposed grapes to be sun-burnt, diminishing the crop even further. Thankfully, sunny, dry weather during August and the first 20 days of September brought Burgundy s grapes to full ripeness at harvest time, as well as allowing natural acidities to be retained. Grapes were picked under blue skies, which has been a vital factor contributing to the quality of the vintage. During harvest, careful sorting to eliminate any hail-affected grapes was essential. At Domaine Champy in Beaune, after an initial sorting of bunches in the vineyards, a three-stage system using vibrating tables and hand sorters was in place as grapes arrived at the winery. Such attention to detail has ensured that only fully ripened, healthy grapes went into their vats. In volume, the impact of the growing season on final yields varies considerably from village to village, and vineyard to vineyard. Many winemakers have seen crops reduced by at least 50%. We see cellars that are half empty, and in some s single vineyard wines have not been made. The Market The 2012 Burgundy harvest has been one of the smallest in living memory. We now know that the justpicked 2013 vintage has also given small volumes. We have never seen two consecutive years like this: effectively two harvests have given the total yields of one normal year. The small volumes in both years will put huge pressure on prices and the quantity that we are able to offer. Fortunately, because we have been shipping from Burgundy for over 35 years and have long-standing friendships with our growers, we are in the strongest possible position to continue to offer these wines at reasonable prices and in sufficient quantities to meet your stock requests. With these factors in mind, we encourage you to respond quickly to this offer with any requests you may have. As always, regular, loyal customers who buy across our range will be rewarded with favourable allocations. 1

4 Domaine Daniel Dampt & Fils, Chablis Daniel Dampt and his sons Vincent and Sebastien make very pure wines, which have the classic mineral style of Chablis at their core. Oak casks have never been used for ageing the wines that we ship, allowing the individual character of their Chardonnays, grown on the stony hillsides of Chablis, to be crystal-clear. Speaking to Sebastien in November 2013, he recalled how 2012 had been a complicated year in the vineyards. Yields here are down by 10% compared with 2011, but quality is as high as ever. Indeed, for us 2012 is an excellent success for the Dampts: purity, finesse and vibrancy reign at this domaine and we recommend this selection wholeheartedly. Chablis 1er Cru Les Lys Domaine Daniel Dampt & Fils This year the Lys cuvée is a particular stand-out from the Dampt range. Les Lys is a north-facing, 1 hectare parcel of vines within the Premier Cru Vaillon vineyard. The vines here average 55 years in age. Bright, pale lemon-green colour, aromas are taut, tightly-knit and lemony. The palate is racy and vibrant, with concentrated, fumed, apricot and lemon flavours. This is an elegant, refreshing, harmonious wine: richness and tension are in fect balance. The finish is crisp and long-lingering (for drinking ). Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet Domaine Daniel Dampt & Fils 2012 This vineyard is famous for giving wines that are harmonious when youthful but also have potential to improve with bottle age. Very pale lemon-gold colour, aromas are alert and pure, recalling white peach and lemons. The palate is precise, with more structure and mineral frame than the Lys (above) and with layers of concentrated fruit flavours. This is a stylish wine with sub depth of flavour and great ageing potential (for drinking ). b m Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume Domaine Daniel Dampt & Fils Whereas Les Lys and Côte de Léchet are on the left bank of the River Serein, the prestigious, south-west facing Fourchaume vineyard is on the right bank, lying just north of Grands Crus Bougros, Preuses and Vaudésir. Chablis from this side of the river tends to be richer and fuller in body, thanks to the higher clay content in the soil. Pale lemon-green colour, aromas are pure and ripe. The palate is broad and silkily textured, with lovely lemon flavours and an uplifting, crisp finish. This is a well-structured, attractive wine (for drinking ). 2 KEY b 12 bottles 6b 6 bottles m 6 magnums

5 Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils, Chablis Christian Moreau comes from a long-established Chablis family, with fabulous vineyard holdings at the heart of some of the finest Grands Crus. With his son Fabien, he has set up a cutting-edge, top quality estate, from which we were pioneers in shipping directly. The Moreaus strive to produce wines that reflect the true character of their vineyards; at every stage of the winegrowing process considered decisions are made to ensure that quality is never compromised. As part of this, all their grapes are handpicked, from the village Chablis right up to their Grands Crus an increasingly rare sight in this part of France. For Christian, 2012 is a classic Chablis vintage. These wines have depth of mineral complexity to compliment ripe fruit flavours, fine textures and racy freshness. Chablis Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils Vinified entirely in stainless steel tanks, this is a vibrant, pure, fruity style of Chablis very succulent and fresh. The palate is medium bodied and bursts with lively grapefruit and lemony fruit character. With a fine texture and zippy finish, this will be delicious to drink as soon as shipped: Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon Cuvée Guy Moreau Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils 2012 b This comes from a 0.8 hectare parcel of vines at the heart of the Vaillon vineyard, which m was planted in 1933 by Christian s father, Guy Moreau. A third of this wine was vinified in a mixture of new, 1 and 2 year old French oak barrels, contributing to the wine s supple texture and layers of flavour. Bright, pale lemon-green, aromas are intense, with the lightest touch of smoke and spice. The palate is fleshy and rich, with pure citrus and white peach flavours all held in fect place by a well-defined structure. The finish is sustained and refreshing (for drinking ). Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils The south-east facing Vaudésir vineyard is unmatched for giving wines of elegance, fragrance and charm Christian s 2012 is a classic example. To enhance concentration, yields are strictly limited here to 30hl/ha - 20hl/ha less than the authorised maximum. The aromas of this 2012 are beautiful, open, and spicy. Full bodied on the palate, flavours are vibrant and fresh, underpinned by linear structure and classic, Chablis, oyster shell character. The length is lingering and fine (for drinking ). Chablis Grand Cru Valmur Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils In contrast with Christian s Vaudésir (above), his Grand Cru Valmur is a more powerful, richer style. The average vine-age is higher here (50 years), and the majority of these vines benefit from a sun-catching, south-east exposure. To complement this, there is an additional, cooler north-west facing plot, which brings tinent freshness and vivacity to the blend. Vinification took place half in French oak barrels (of which 5% were new) with the balance being vinified in stainless steel tank to preserve fruit focus and tension. The aromas of this 2012 are most striking: complex, ripe, with notes of grapefruit, lemon and pepy spice. The palate is luscious yet tense, with a long, crisp finish (for drinking ). 3

6 Chablis Grand Cru Clos Domaine Christian Moreau Père & Fils 2012 Many Chablis-lovers consider Clos to be the greatest Grand Cru of all, and the Moreaus own a phenomenal 3 hectare parcel here. Extending from the bottom of the slope up to the woods at the top, their wine encompasses many elements of this complex terroir. Grapes from each section of the slope are harvested and vinified separately. By doing so, each can be handled slightly differently, according to the characteristics of each plot, prior to being assembled into a final blend. b m j Shimmering, pale lemon-green colour, aromas are focused, spicy and floral. It is the texture of this wine that grabs your attention, being silky, finegrained, mouthfilling and cleansing. Flavours are alluring and aromatic more peaches and apricots than lemons here. This is a complex, harmonious Grand Cru, so beautiful to drink whilst in its taut, primary youth, but with the potential to become stunning over the next 10 years. Domaine Patrick Guillot, Mercurey Last year, we were delighted to introduce the wines of Patrick Guillot, whose domaine is located in a hamlet adjoining Mercurey: Saint-Martin-sous-Montaigu. Visiting him again this year, it was a pleasure to taste his 2012s, for Patrick is clearly a skilful winemaker in both whites and reds. Mercurey was spared from hail in 2012, but nonetheless volumes are down by 20% for the reds and 40% for the whites thanks to the slow, poor flowering. With this in mind, we enthusiastically encourage you to secure some of these beautifully expressive wines, which we believe represent incredibly good value for money. Of particular note, his 2012 Bouzeron Blanc is a stunning new discovery and a hot tip for a white to drink as soon as shipped and throughout summer White Bouzeron Blanc Les Bouillottes Domaine Patrick Guillot The village of Bouzeron lies between Rully and Santenay, in the Côte Chalonnaise. In this particular, cooler spot, it is Aligoté not Chardonnay that thrives, to give lively whites with spicy, floral, lime-zest aromas. We learnt from Patrick that Bouzeron Blanc is the fect partner for jambon sillé, one of Burgundy s regional delicacies. With its bright acidity and clean, crisp, fleetingly aromatic palate, we can see why. We encourage you to try this new HH&C find with or without food we love it for its gentle but vivacious style, and precise finish. Already in bottle, this will be delicious straight away and over the next 2 years. Mercurey Blanc Les Saumonts Domaine Patrick Guillot The free-draining, stony, marl-rich soils of this south-west facing vineyard are fectly suited to Chardonnay vines. In 2012, only one 400 litre barrel has been made from Patrick s plot, which was bottled in September Bright, lemon-gold colour, aromas are very concentrated and ripe, recalling spiced peaches and lemons. Full, fleshy and round, this is a smooth, supple wine with a splendid, refreshing aftertaste (for drinking ). 4 KEY b 12 bottles m 6 magnums j 1 jeroboam (300cl)

7 Red Mercurey Rouge En Boussoy Domaine Patrick Guillot These vines are planted on land which is rich in iron oxides, with red soil a classic location for Mercurey reds. Mid ruby-purple colour, aromas are intensely fumed, pure and spicy. The palate is medium-bodied with a rich, crunchy core of vibrant, wild strawberry and darker berry fruit flavours. The finish is satisfying and complete (for drinking ). Mercurey Rouge 1er Cru Clos des Montaigu Domaine Patrick Guillot This Premier Cru Clos des Montaigu has more weight and muscle than the Boussoy (above). Deep ruby-purple colour, aromas are powerful with dried rose petal, spice and red fruit scent - very expressive and attractive. In contrast, the palate is more closed and taut currently, but this will blossom with time, to give a red of elegance and finesse (for drinking ). Domaine Claudie Jobard, Rully Claudie Jobard was another new HH&C discovery with the 2011 vintage. Claudie is steeped in Burgundian vineyards and winemaking: her mother was for many years head wine-maker at Joseph Drouhin, and her family runs a nursery which multiplies vines for replanting vineyards throughout Burgundy. Since 2002 Claudie has been making wines in Rully, and from 2011 she took over responsibility for additional family vineyards on the Côte de Beaune. We have pleasure in offering four of her wines, and feel sure that Burgundy lovers will be as excited as we are to discover their delicious qualities, and to take advantage of the sub values which they represent. White Rully Montagne La Folie Domaine Claudie Jobard Montagne La Folie is a pebbly, south-facing vineyard, giving wine of marked minerality. This 2012 was vinified and matured for 6 months in French oak of which 15% was new, giving the wine delicate spiciness and supple texture, yet not overwhelming the fragrant fruit aromas. Prior to bottling in July 2013, it was not fined and only underwent a gentle filtration, to ensure clarity but prevent any loss of wine character or texture. Pale green-gold colour, aromas are alert and ripe. Medium bodied on the palate, this has pretty fruit, round middle-palate and a crisp, lively finish (for drinking ). Rully 1er Cru Les Clous Domaine Claudie Jobard Premier Cru Les Clous is an east-facing, stony vineyard located very close to the village itself. Fermentation was in large 342 litre French oak barrels, of which a third were new. The resulting wine has a precise, scented, toasty-lemony aroma. The palate is full, rich and concentrated, with underlying tension and energy the finish is pure, refreshing and fine. This is a charming wine, full of finesse, for drinking

8 Red Rully Rouge La Chaume Domaine Claudie Jobard It has been over ten years since we have listed a red Rully and what a find! Pinot Noir is well-suited to the Chaume vineyard, which is located to the east of the village, on fairly flat but well-drained stony soil. Colour is bright ruby-pink, aromas being very pretty and fumed. This is a lithe, refreshing, approachable red with juicy fruit core and a supple, clean finish. Bottled in July 2013, this will be delicious to drink as soon as shipped and over the next few years. Pommard 1er Cru Les Charmots Domaine Claudie Jobard Premier Cru Les Charmots lies up the slope from Les Epenots, halfway between the village of Pommard and the Beaune border. Typically, the wines from this vineyard have a more generous and rounded character than seen elsewhere in Pommard. Claudie s parcel of vines was planted in 1919 which may explain the complexity of flavours and well-defined structure here. With red-berry aromas, this is full and mouthcoating, with tannins that are well-ripened, giving length and grip to the finish. This is an elegant, harmonious Pommard, for drinking Domaine Françoise et Denis Clair, Santenay Larger than life Denis Clair continues to be at the helm of this sub Santenay-based estate. His son Jean-Baptiste continues to grow as a wine-maker, and his skill and confidence shine through in the quality of the wines. It is always a pleasure to visit and to taste with this father and son team their wines improve each year. With vines both in Santenay and Saint-Aubin, this is a cellar where both red and white wines are equally impressive. The reds are concentratedly fruity, with good richnesss and structure. The whites are notable for their precise fruit flavours, elegant textures and mineral backbone. White Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Sous Roche Dumay Domaine Françoise et Denis Clair Previously labelled as Premier Cru Sur Gamay, the Clairs vines lie at the vineyard s highest point, touching the 400m contour, just below the Roche Dumay. Perched on the hillside, this is a sub, well-drained site for Chardonnay. The nose on this 2012 is wonderfully lifted and pure. The palate is full-bodied and broad yet very lively and fresh. Creamy in texture and with intense fruit flavours, the finish is long and clean (for drinking ). 6 KEY b 12 bottles 6b 6 bottles m 6 magnums

9 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Murgers des Dents de Chien Domaine Françoise et Denis Clair A murger is a pile of stones that a vigneron creates when clearing a patch of land in order to culitivate it. This is a particularly strenuous task, made even more disagreeable when the stones are as sharp as a dog s teeth as exienced here. This is a prime, Premier Cru site, above En Remilly (to its south) and the Montrachet hillside (to its east). It benefits from good exposure to the sun, gentle breezes and free-draining soils. Pale gold colour, aromas are taut and spicy, very attractive. On the palate, this is a stricter, more linear style than the En Remilly (below). Flavours are complex, texture is fine and stony, the finish is full of vibrance and long-lasting (for drinking ). Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Remilly Domaine Françoise et Denis Clair This steep, south-facing vineyard is arguably the finest of the Saint-Aubin Premiers Crus, being effectively a continuation of Le Montrachet. Aromas here are tightly-woven and smoky, the palate being full, powerful and open, with layers of fruit flavour: lemons, apricots, spice. There is a mineral backbone here that gives structure and frame, the finish being long and elegant. This will be sub to drink in its youth, but has the concentration and structure to reward cellaring for 4-5 years. Red Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge Domaine Françoise et Denis Clair For the last three vintages this has been one of our best value Burgundian Pinot Noirs, and the 2012 is another great success. It is made from a blend of grapes from two areas one above Saint-Aubin and one just south of Santenay. Half the plantings are old vines, which naturally produce small, concentrated berries, contributing to the brilliance of this wine. Colour is bright ruby-pink with open, pepy, red-cherry aroma. This is a fruity, charming, lively style: approachable to drink as soon as shipped and over the next 2 years. v Santenay Clos Genet Domaine Françoise et Denis Clair 2012 The Clair Clos Genet cuvée is another consistent HH&C favourite: year on year it offers sub drinking for very reasonable outlay. The vineyard lies near the village of Santenay, adjoining the Clair family home. In 2012, aromas are strikingly scented, full of raspberries and red cherries. Medium bodied on the palate, there is a dense yet vivacious core of fruit here, sufficient grip, and a long, bright finish. The magnums come highly recommended and will make fine drinking (ideally with friends and a rack of lamb) from b m Santenay 1er Cru Clos de la Comme Domaine Françoise et Denis Clair 2012 b The Clos de la Comme is the oldest vineyard in the Clair domaine, the vines being 65 m years in age. Thanks to this, there is marked complexity and depth here. Aromas are most attractive, combining pure red fruit and wild herbs. The palate is silky, full and mouth-coating, with good structure and an impressive length. This is excellent value Premier Cru Burgundy with all elements in fect harmony (for drinking ). 7

10 Santenay 1er Cru Clos de Tavannes Domaine Françoise et Denis Clair This 2012 Clos de Tavannes has intensely focused aromas that are more violet and black cherry in character than the two wines above. Indeed, if tasted blind, the profile, structure and intensity of this wine could lead you to believe that this had Côte de Nuits origins. The palate is full and well-framed, with a pure core of fruit, fresh mouth-feel and well-ripened tannic grip. We highly recommend this classy Premier Cru, for drinking from Domaine Blain-Gagnard, Chassagne-Montrachet With vineyards on many of Chassagne-Montrachet s greatest, most famous hillsides, Jean-Marc and Claudine Blain s domaine Blain-Gagnard is one of Burgundy s finest white wine estates. In addition, their reds from Chassagne and Volnay consistently catch our eye for their light touch and beautifully fumed flavours. Minimal intervention is key to the Blain wine-making style. New oak barrels are always used skilfully, being subtly spread amongst the different cuvées, so that spicy oakiness is never ceptible. White wines are consistently bottled after no more than 11 or 12 months barrel-ageing, to ensure that maximum freshness is retained. The finished wines have great purity of fruit and evoke their origins precisely. Given the lower volumes here (sometimes less than half the usual), we are delighted to feature a lesserseen wine from the Blain-Gagnard cellar. We have managed to sude Jean-Marc to bottle two barrels of his Bourgogne Passetoutgrain for HH&C: a wine that is usually reserved for family consumption. This entry level red is a delicious (and affordable) introduction to the Blain-Gagnard range. White Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc Domaine Blain-Gagnard 2012 As in previous years, the excellent quality of this wine results from a judicious blending of grapes from suior origins. A third of the grapes come from Premier Cru vineyards (Bois de Chassagne and Champ Gain), which have been assembled with fruit from village level plots. Glistening green-gold in colour, aromas are taut, fragrant and fresh. On the palate, this is concentrated and rich, with tense, linear structure, mineral underlay and a taut, long-lasting aftertaste (for drinking ) Puligny-Montrachet Domaine Blain-Gagnard There is a raciness, vibrant acidity and vivacity in this 2012 Puligny which sets the taste-buds alight. The grapes for this are sourced from a 50-year-old plot of vines situated at the heart of the slope, just beneath the Premier Cru Les Pucelles vineyard. The result is an incredibly pretty wine, very pure, with fect balance of richness, structure and silkiness of texture. The finish is long and fine (for drinking ).

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12 Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 1er Cru Boudriotte Domaine Blain-Gagnard This Premier Cru often takes several years in bottle to show its full complexities, and this will certainly be the with this Currently, both the nose and the palate are taut and closed, but there is concentration here in abundance. Aromas recall grapefruit and spiced lemons. The palate is richly built and strictly structured, with a crisp, tenacious length (for drinking ). Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 1er Cru Caillerets Domaine Blain-Gagnard This vineyard is situated at the heart of the slope, just south of the village of Chassagne. Blain s holdings run from the top to the bottom of the vineyard, always giving a full, intricate wine of great potential complexity. In addition, the marly, fossil-shell-laden soils are responsible for the complex minerality consistently seen here. Pale silver-gold colour, the nose is very fresh, recalling white flowers and scented, ripe apricots. On the palate, this has remarkable intensity, powerful structure and beautiful, supple texture. The finish is exceptionally long and fine (for drinking ). Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Domaine Blain-Gagnard b Only 1.5 barrels of this stunning Grand Cru were made in 2012 (the usual volume being 5 barrels). Pale gold colour, aromas are magnificently complex, combining rich, ripe fruit with delicate spice and stoniness. Full and intense, layers of flavours satisfyingly sweep over the palate. There is a precision, purity, elegance and mineral coolness evident in this wine that lifts it above the crowd. This 2012 will be beautiful to approach when youthful, and sensational in 10 years time (for drinking ). Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Domaine Blain-Gagnard b The Blain Bâtard has a more powerful, voluminous style than their Criots (above). Pale gold colour, aromas recall ripe stone fruits, pineapple and a hint of flinty smokiness. Full in body, this is luscious, supple and creamily textured. Structure is well-defined; the finish is wonderfully long and refreshing (for drinking ). Le Montrachet Grand Cru Domaine Blain-Gagnard b Our allocation of this outstanding Grand Cru is more miniscule than ever this vintage. Le Montrachet is exceptional for its subtle underlying power, silky texture, intricate structure and supreme length of flavour a wine that is hard not to swallow when tasting! Often firm and discreet when young, this will benefit from 10 years bottle ageing to allow its power and complexities to be released (for drinking ). 10 KEY b 12 bottles 6b 6 bottles m 6 magnums

13 Red Bourgogne Passetoutgrain Domaine Blain-Gagnard was the last vintage that we had the opportunity to offer this juicy, good-value red. This 2/3 Gamay, 1/3 Pinot Noir blend, from vines at the bottom of the Volnay slope, is usually reserved for Blain family consumption. Our ears pricked up when Jean-Marc reminded us of his Passetoutgrain. Bright ruby-pink colour, this is vibrant, lively and medium-bodied, with a satisfying fruit core and a crisp, lively finish. This refreshing red will make delicious drinking as soon as it arrives and over the next 2 years. Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge Domaine Blain-Gagnard 2012 Chassagne is best known for its white wines, but we must not forget that Pinot Noir also thrives in certain vineyard sectors, giving reds that are often sub, and frequently offer extremely good value for money. This 2012 village Chassagne is a beauty. Bright, ruby colour, aromas are open, fragrant and pure. The palate is round and supple, full of finesse and with splendid, scented, freshly-picked dark berry flavours. The finish is silky and harmonious (for drinking ) Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge 1er Cru Morgeot Domaine Blain-Gagnard The clay-rich Morgeot vineyard is prime territory for Pinot Noir, classically giving sturdy wines with abundant fruit. Stunning ruby-purple colour, aromas here are smoky and spiced. The palate is fumed, with a wealth of dark fruit flavours, robust structure and well-ripened tannins to finish (for drinking ). Volnay 1er Cru Pitures Domaine Blain-Gagnard Neighbouring Pommard, the Premier Cru Pitures vineyard is renowned for giving structured, chewier styles of Volnay, fect for mid-term ageing. Aromas are text-book Pinot Noir, brimming with fragrant, wild strawberry fruit and delicate, floral spice. Medium bodied, this has splendid middle-palate intensity, fleshy texture and ripe, fine-grained tannins (for drinking ). Volnay 1er Cru Champans Domaine Blain-Gagnard For us, this Premier Cru Champans is quintessential Volnay. Its gorgeous rose petal, violet and dark-berry aroma is mesmorizing. This is an elegant, refined, streamlined wine, with silky texture, dense core and seamless, ripe tannins to finish (for drinking ). With yields down by 75% this year, we encourage you to move quickly to secure some of this charming wine. 11

14 Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain, Chassagne-Montrachet Marc-Antonin Blain s tiny Chassagne domaine blossoms alongside his parents Blain-Gagnard estate. After viticultural studies in Beaune, Marc-Antonin s exiences include helping at both his parents and grandparents domaines and working vintages in Australia and New Zealand. He now makes four wines from family holdings previously owned and tended by his late grandfather, Jacques Gagnard. Like his grandfather, Marc-Antonin has a twinkle in his eye and a passion for detail: he is one of the most talented members of the new emerging generation of Chassagne and Puligny growers. When not tending to his vines or in his cellar, Marc-Antonin can be seen cycling through the Hautes-Côtes or on the go-karting track. This is a young man with passion, flare and energy. White Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain 2012 These grapes come from a single plot, Les Voillenots, which was planted in The vines roots penetrate deeply into the limestone bed-rock, giving this wine an exhilarating, mineral character. Pale gold colour, aromas are clean and intense. This is a full bodied, sumptuously ripe, expressive wine with bright, refreshing acidity and a taut bite to finish (for drinking ) Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain b Only one barrel of this tremendous Grand Cru exists in The Bâtard-Montrachet vineyard straddles both the Chassagne and Puligny appellations; Marc-Antonin s wine comes entirely from the Chassagne sector, from impeccably-situated vines lying just across the road from Le Montrachet. Green-gold colour, this has splendid, rich, openly fruity aromas. This wine is remarkable for its concentration, fine, creamy texture, elegant middle and beautiful, refreshing aftertaste. There is great power here, currently tightly locked within a well-defined frame this will make wonderful drinking when young, vibrant and tense but will be equally magnificent once it has opened and filled out with bottle age (for drinking ). Red Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain 2012 b These grapes were harvested from two 40-year-old plots which lie downhill from Chassagne s m road to Santenay: Champs de Morjot and Les Lombardes. In 2012, Marc-Antonin chose to destem all bunches and employ the gentlest of extraction methods to preserve fruit purity and ensure fine, not overbearing, tannins. Bright ruby-pink colour, aromas are pretty, spiced and ripe. The palate is medium bodied with fleshiness and harmonious, long length (for drinking ). 12

15 Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge 1er Cru Morgeot Domaine Marc-Antonin Blain 2012 b There is an intensity, vibrance and lusciousness of texture in this 2012 Morgeot that awakens m the senses. Coming from two 85-year-old plots within the Morgeot vineyard, once again, Marc-Antonin chose to fully destem his grapes and handle the juice as gently as possible, to achieve its silky texture and crunchy fruit middle. Mid ruby-purple hue, aromas are fumed packed with dark berries. This is full bodied, with dense fruit, fine structure and a long, fresh finish (for drinking ). Olivier Leflaive - Récolte du Domaine, Puligny-Montrachet We are once again thrilled to be offering, exclusively to the UK, the wines from Patrick and Olivier Leflaive s Récolte du Domaine. This is the brothers third vintage of production from vineyards they own which had previously been included under the Domaine Leflaive label (Anne-Claude Leflaive is their cousin). These plots are located in some of Burgundy s greatest, rarest, white wine vineyards. Since winter 2009/2010, there has been an uninterrupted continuation of Domaine Leflaive s biodynamic vineyard cultivation methods, and this is being scrupulously maintained. With the exeption of the Chassagne and Meursault, which were more recently replanted, the vines across the domaine were planted in the 1950s and 1960s. These old vines give naturally low yields, even more so in The resulting wines are some of the most concentrated and intense of all the white Burgundies we had the fortune to taste in autumn There is an elegance, depth, finesse and tenacity in this range that makes your heart skip a beat. The number of barrels of each of the following wines is extremely limited we invite you to express your interest as soon as possible to ensure an allocation. White Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos Saint-Marc Olivier Leflaive - Récolte du Domaine b These vines are located within the Premier Cru Les Vergers and have been organically 3m cultivated since Capturing the grapes natural, racy freshness was of paramount importance to winemaker Franck Grux - and indeed this Chassagne has salivating acidity, in fect balance. Vibrant lemon-green colour, the nose is smoky and lemony; the palate is full bodied, with piercing fruitiness complimented by the gentlest kiss of oak spice. This is a complete, lively, harmonious wine with long aftertaste (for drinking ). Meursault 1er Cru Blagny Sous le Dos d Ane Olivier Leflaive - Récolte du Domaine b These vines lie in a sun-catching ampthitheatre adjoining Premier Cru Les Perrières. When you climb the slope you can understand why this vineyard is named under the donkey s back, for the vines are sheltered to the north by a huge, long hummock of stones and trees which resemble the slumbering animal. Bright lemon-green colour, aromas are crystal clear, recalling fresh limes, with notes of smokiness and river stones. On the palate, this is full and succulent, with intense white flower and zesty citrus flavours. There is invigorating freshness and good structure here, the length being long and fine (for drinking ). 13

16 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières Olivier Leflaive - Récolte du Domaine b Les Folatières is the largest Premier Cru vineyard in Puligny, totalling just over 17.5 hectares. There are many sub-sections, and this wine comes from one of the most fectly situated, mid-slope plots, named en la Richarde, lying on the same contour as Grand Cru Chevalier-Montrachet. Rich lemon-green, aromas are su-concentrated and precise, recalling kaffir limes and fresh lemons. This is a big mouthful: full, intense and fleshily textured. Everything is elegantly held in place by a clearly defined structure and strikingly vibrant acidity. This is a spectacular, elegant wine (for drinking ). Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles Olivier Leflaive - Récolte du Domaine b This famous Premier Cru lies just a stone s throw from Grand Cru Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet, 3m the vines for this wine being in a single plot planted in the late 1950s. Bright lemon-green, it has alert, fragrant, mouthwatering aromas very attractive. The texture of this wine is amazing in 2012, being mouth-coating, fine and incredibly cleansing. Full bodied and focused, the palate combines great fruit intensity with smokiness, the aftertaste being thrilling and long-lingering. Here is a wine that is full of life and energy, having wonderful potential for the future especially in magnums (for drinking ). Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Olivier Leflaive - Récolte du Domaine b This wine comes entirely from the Puligny-Montrachet section of the Grand Cru, from vines planted in The parcel is fectly positioned in the Bâtard-Montrachet shoulder the plot lying between Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and the great Le Montrachet. Lively lemon-green colour, aromas are complex, flinty and pure. The palate shows remarkable power, expanding in the mouth, with luscious textures and astonishing breadth, depth and length of flavour. This is all underpinned by fresh, lilting acidity. This is seriously good wine, with all elements in fect harmony (for drinking ). Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Olivier Leflaive - Récolte du Domaine b These vines were planted in 1955, yet are still in part thanks to biodynamic cultivation full of youthful vigour. In 2012, this wine has captivating, fumed aromas, recalling white blossom, honeysuckle and lemons. The palate has striking aromatic fruit intensity, delicate spice, full body and the supplest, creamiest of textures. Acidity is invigorating, giving this 2012 freshness, finesse and a ballerina-esque quality. Everything is beautifully interwoven to give a wine of the highest class the length of flavour goes on and on. A truly amazing wine, for drinking KEY b 12 bottles 6b 6 bottles m 6 magnums

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18 Etienne Sauzet, Puligny-Montrachet 2012 is the smallest harvest that owner and winemaker Gerard Boudot has seen at this domaine since he arrived in Not only were his vines subjected to the tricky weather exienced elsewhere in Burgundy, but they were also impacted by yieldreducing spring frost. Hail sadly devasted his Premier Cru Hameau de Blagny vineyard this year any healthy grapes from this vineyard have gone into the village Puligny. The vineyards at Etienne Sauzet have been cultivated biodynamically for the last 7 years, and these changes have had a marked impact on improving fruit intensity and acidity balance in the wines. From their Bourgogne Blanc up to the Grands Crus, these wines burst with energy and finesse. They are precise and racy, deserving a place in the cellar of any lover of top quality white Burgundy. White Bourgogne Blanc Etienne Sauzet 2012 This wine comes from three parcels lying below the village of Puligny, towards the Route Nationale 74. Tasted in November 2013, just before bottling, in colour, this is pale golden, with ripe, creamy aroma. Medium bodied in the mouth, this is agile, vivacious and with supple, round texture. The finish is refreshing and fine (for drinking ). Puligny-Montrachet Etienne Sauzet 2012 Coming from 7 different vineyards that stretch across the village, one could say that this is a true snap-shot of Puligny. A significant proportion of the blend is from the Chassagne-Montrachet side of the village, where deep soils give broad, rich wines. In contrast, three plots are on the more pebbly, Meursault side, where the wines have more mineral character. Each parcel was fermented and matured separately in barrels (of which 15% were new) prior to blending. In colour, this is bright lemon-gold, with beautiful, ripe, spiced lemon aromas. The palate is full, taut and lively, with precise, lemony flavours, bright, crisp acidity and a complete, long-lasting finish (for drinking ). Awaiting Price Awaiting Price Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru La Garenne Etienne Sauzet 2012 Located on a steep hillside just south of the hamlet of Blagny, this stony vineyard is consistently the last to be picked by the Domaine as extra time is required to fully ripen the grapes at this high, 400m altitude. Colour is pale lemon-green, aromas being pure, fine and citrussy. The palate has beautiful concentration, generous mouthfeel and suave texture. To complement this, there is an incisive mineral character and crispness to finish that epitomises the Garenne style. The wine ends tense and long-flavoured (for drinking ). Awaiting Price 16 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières Etienne Sauzet 2012 Awaiting Price Lower down the slope, the vines here are planted on well-drained hummocks, giving wines that are intensely fruity. Sauzet s vineyard was planted in 1987: year-on-year this cuvée gains in complexity and takes on more mineral nuances as the vines penetrate more deeply into the bedrock. Pale lemon-gold colour, aromas are open, exuberant and ripe. Full, rich and silky, flavours are layered, combining fresh lemons with smoky, hazelnut character. There is a mineral grip here that gives this wine bite; the flavours linger satisfyingly on the palate (for drinking ).

19 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Canet Etienne Sauzet 2012 Champ Canet lies at the north of the appellation, bordering Premier Cru Meursault Les Perrières. With 1.1 hectares of vines here, this is Sauzet s largest Premier Cru holding, with vines averaging 55 years in age indeed, 25% of the vines are 86 years old! In contrast to the more generous 2011 crop which gave 32 barrels, just 13 barrels of this were made in 2012, thus allocations are tight this year. Bright, pale lemon-gold colour, this has attractive, expressive, complex aromas. The palate is marked by a remarkable finesse and elegance. It is full bodied and powerfully concentrated, with everything held in fect place by a strict frame. The finish is long, racy and energetic (for drinking ). Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes Etienne Sauzet 2012 Premier Cru Les Combettes neighbours Champ Canet, but it is slightly further down the slope where the soils are dee. Being so close to the Meursault appellation, we often remark that the wines from this vineyard combine the plumpness and supple textures of Meursault with the precision and refinement of Puligny. Vibrant lemon-gold colour, aromas are scented and taut. On the palate, this is rich, deeply flavoured and intricately-woven. This is a robust, impressive wine, with round, creamy mouthfeel, the finish being thrillingly refreshing (for drinking ). Awaiting Price Awaiting Price Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Etienne Sauzet 2012 Sauzet s vines are located on the Puligny-Montrachet side of this Grand Cru, which straddles both Puligny and Chassagne. For winemaker Gerard Boudot, choice of picking date is particularly crucial here, for this is a site where there is a very fine line between fection and over-ripeness. By erring on picking one day early rather than one day late, the intense rigour and raciness of this plot are captured in this exquisite wine. In addition, red marls in the soil contribute to the richness and luscious texture here, which few other Bâtards can boast. Pale lemon-green colour, the nose is wonderfully ripe and fragrant. This is full and explosive on the palate, filling the mouth with layers of flavours. The finish is fine, elegant and outstandingly long. With such intense concentration and appealing fruitness, this will be spectacular both when young and with bottle age: from Awaiting Price Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru Etienne Sauzet 2012 The soils here are chalkier and more powdery than those in Bâtard, Sauzet s vines being located right at the top of the vineyard. Our Chevalier is one that is delicious at any moment after 1, 3, 10 years, Boudot explains. Indeed, when tasting this in November 2013 it was hard not to swallow this already wonderfully harmonious wine. Pale gold colour, this has appealing intensity of aromatic fruit aromas very invigorating. The palate is tautly concentrated, succulent, with a satin-like texture. This is a refreshing, beautifully attractive wine that, as Boudot suggests, will be glorious both as soon as shipped and over the next 10 years. Awaiting Price 17

20 Domaine Franck Grux, Meursault Franck Grux effervesces with passion and enthusiasm for wine, and white Burgundy in particular. Franck did his first wine-making at his family estate in Meursault (Domaine Roulot) and is now head winemaker at Olivier Leflaive a role for which he is both vastly exienced and extremely highly regarded. In addition, he continues to make two wines from his own vineyards based in the Meursault appellation. We are delighted to import them exclusively to the UK. As seen elsewhere in Burgundy, weather conditions during the growing season had a major impact on yields at this domaine. Consequently, we fear that these wines will disappear all too quickly please do not miss out! White Bourgogne Blanc Les Grandes Coutures Domaine Franck Grux The vines for this Bourgogne Blanc border the Meursault appellation, growing in deep, clay-rich soils not unlike those of Meursault Premier Cru Charmes-Dessous, which is not far uphill. We often comment on this wine as having Meursault-like qualities, and in 2012 this is very much the. Vinification took place 100% in oak barrels (just 3 barrels in total this year, compared with the usual 6-7). The colour is radiant lemon-green, the nose being open, appetizing and full of spiced lemons. Full-bodied and fleshy, there is fine concentration and richness, creamy texture and a racy finish. This is a real success in 2012 and will be sub to drink as soon as it arrives in spring 2014 and over the following 3+ years. Meursault Meix Chavaux Domaine Franck Grux 2012 This comes from a small vineyard belonging to Franck s aunt, the vines lying on a gentle slope which catches the rays of the early morning sun. Glistening lemon-green in colour, the nose is taut, pure, fresh and concentrated. Palate starts full-bodied, with tension, structure and precise, smoky-lemony flavours. Acidity is splendidly balanced, the finish being lively, long and vibrant. This is a lovely wine for immediate and mid-term enjoyment (for drinking ). b m KEY b 12 bottles 6b 6 bottles m 6 magnums 1m 1 magnum

21 Domaine Roulot, Meursault Jean-Marc Roulot produces some of Meursault s most thrilling, fectly-balanced wines. Picking the grapes at the moment when ripeness has been achieved yet natural acidity has not been lost, is one of his prime objectives. Over-ripeness of the fruit is abhorred (if a grower goes that route, then freshness and potential for ageing are sacrificed). No estate we know handles the use of new oak barrels more astutely: the wines rarely spend more than a year in wood, with rousing of the lees being done sparingly. Jean-Marc has exemplary lightness of touch, his aim being to allow the characters of the individual vineyard sites to shine through clearly, so that their complexities may develop harmoniously with bottleage, whilst building length and retaining sub freshness. Jean-Marc s 2012s are glorious for their vivacity, refinement and harmony this is Meursault at its finest. White Bourgogne Blanc Domaine Roulot b This wine comes solely from the commune of Meursault and fermented in small oak barrels (8% were new) before being moved into tank. Very pale silver-gold colour, aromas are piercingly fresh and lively, recalling honeysuckle and spiced lemons. Palate is tender and gentle, with full body, pure, floral fruitiness and a vivacious, harmonious aftertaste (for drinking ). Meursault Les Tillets Domaine Roulot b Roulot s Tillets cuvée always has remarkable minerality thanks to the high proportion of pebbles in the vineyard, which lies relatively high on the slope. Since the vines have become more established, this Meursault has naturally taken on more mid-palate weight, giving a wine that is often one of the most striking and fectly balanced in the Roulot range. This 2012 was not tasted on our November visit (its secondary, malolactic fermentation had not been completed), but we have no doubt that once again this will be an HH&C favourite. For our tasting note, please contact us in 2014, following our March re-visit. Meursault Tessons Clos de Mon Plaisir Domaine Roulot m This walled, 0.85 hectare Clos (of which Roulot owns 80%) lies within the Tessons vineyard, at the heart of the hillside as it extends north and uphill from Premier Cru Goutte d Or. Pale gold colour, the nose is open, ripe and beautifully aromatic. The palate is full, broad and richly built, with creamy texture, fragrant mid-palate and an elegant, poised finish. This is an intensely concentrated wine, full of energy, and with great potential (for drinking ). Meursault 1er Cru Clos des Bouchères Domaine Roulot b This is another walled Clos, which is now a monopole was Roulot s first vintage as 1m sole owner. Covering 1.37 hectares just above Premier Cru Les Porusots, it is a chalky site, with light, limestone-rich soils. Bright, pale silver-green colour, aromas are pure, recalling green apples and river stones. On the palate, this is a refined, linear style: clean, fresh, and thrillingly tense. The finish is uplifting and full of vitality (for drinking ). 19