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Domaine Rene Engel Vosne Romanee 1er Cru Les Brulees
Rene Engel started Domaine Rene Engel in Vosne Romanee in the early 20th Century just before WW1. At the age of 20, Rene Engel fought in the battle of Verdun in 1916 and was fortunate enough to return to Burgundy after spending some time in POW camp. The son of Rene Engel, Pierre Engel took over the Domaine from his father in 1949. Pierre was also the Mayor of Vosne Romanee is 1959-1971. Pierre got ill in 1970s and the Domaine was apparently neglected. Pierre passed away in 1981, five years earlier than his father Rene Engel. Fortunately of the four children of Pierre Engel, one of them was interested…
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Domaine Fourrier 2017
Domaine Fourrier is one of the finest addresses in Gevrey Chambertin. We cannot talk about Gevrey Chambertin without mentioning Domaine Fourrier. Jean-Marie Fourrier completed a 6 months internship for Henri Jayer and also Domaine Drouhin in Oregon for some time, though Jean-Marie has a clear sense style of wine he wishes to produce (which is stylistically not similar to Henri Jayer’s), Jean-Marie has picked up the attention to detail from the legendary Henri Jayer. Jean-Marie Fourrier took over the 8.68 hectare estate from his father in 1994 at the age of 23. Jean-Marie is blessed with very old vines around Gevrey Chambertin, most of his vineyards were planted before World War 2.…
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2017 Burgundy Vintage
Yields Matter in 2017 Burgundy grape growers were blessed with very high yields in 2017. Many producers are happy to see their cellar filling up after many years of below average yields. The overall yields in 2016 Burgundy was around 20% below average, with some regions losing more than 70% of the crop. Many grape growers were put on financial pressure in 2016 due to the low production of 2016. This has lead to many of them leaving more buds than usual and not doing any green harvesting in 2017, hence letting the abundant bunches of grapes grow freely. Perhaps some growers were optimistic and hoped that all their grapes…
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Domaine Duroché 2017
Domaine Duroché is one of the rising stars in Gevrey Chambertin. Since Pierre Duroché completely took over the estate from his father in 2008, the winery has gained lots of attention inside and outside of Burgundy. The estate is located in the centre of Gevrey Chambertin village with a total of 8.5 ha vineyard holding. Pierre is blessed with a selection of prime vineyards in Gevrey Chambertin, a lot of old vines from village lieu-dits to Grand Cru parcels. Vineyard Portfolio Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 0.25 ha, Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru 0.27 ha, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 0.41 ha, Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru 0.01 ha, Lavaut St Jacques Premier Cru 1.20 ha, Estournelles-St-Jacques…
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Ken Forrester Wines, the king of Chenin Blanc in South Africa
If I were to pick a bottle of South African Chenin Blanc to drink, it would probably be the Ken Forrester Dirty Little Secret… Ken Forrester (an ex-restaurateur) started the winery in 1994 with the hope to make Chenin Blanc in Stellenbosch that can rival Loire Valley Chenin Blanc. Impressively, Ken Forrester (also known as Mr Chenin Blanc) sold 400 cases of his wine in the first year, now he is selling more than 80,000 cases. Ken is hoping to increase the production to more than 200,000 cases in the next 4 years. Located south of Stellenbosch (approximately 6 km from the coast) near the Helderberg Mountain, most of Ken Forrester…
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1986 Henri Jayer Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Murgers
Henri Jayer was one of the most legendary winemakers in the world. Henri Jayer was known for his Pinot Noirs in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s from Burgundy, notably the legendary Cros Parantoux. Jayer had strong stands on 100% destem and crushed grape winemaking technique, low yield and quality orientated. Henri Jayer sadly passed away in 2006, his wines are now insanely rare and expensive, not to mention countless Henri Jayer bottles on the market are fake. I was incalculably fortunate to be able to drink one of the few remaining bottles of Henri Jayer on the planet. This bottle was drunk at one of the most historical restaurants in…
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Jerome Prevost Champagne La Closerie
Jerome Prevost La Closerie is one of the most sought after grower champagnes in the world. Artisan 100% Pinot Meunier in a humble village called Gueux (which means beggar/peasant in French) within Montagne de Reims, about 10 km from Reims. Pinot Meunier accounts for 32% of the vineyards in Champagne, 2% more than Chardonnay. Yet, there is not a lot of attention going into 100% Pinot Meunier Champagnes. Jerome Prevost La Closerie Les Beguines is one of the best examples of a stunning and characterful champagne made from 100% Pinot Meunier (technically 95% Pinot Meunier for Les Beguines). Jerome Prevost also have a small amount (0.2 hectare) of young vines – Pinot…
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Vondeling Wines, South Africa
Vondeling Wines is one of the exciting recent projects in South Africa. Vondeling Wines was bought by Julian Johnsen, Anthony Ward, and Richard Gower in 2002. Since 2002, the farm has expanded and huge reconstruction program took place including extensive replanting and winery renovation. The farm spreads across 467 hectares of land, including 100 hectares of vineyard, as well as a few hectares of olive trees and woodland on the foothill of Paardeberg mountain. In 2013, a tasting room and chapel was constructed for service and wedding events. Vondeling traces its origin back to 1704 when this piece of land was first granted to Oloff Bergh, a Swedish immigrant. Vondeling Wines…
