Fine Wine Reviews
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Domaine Comte Armand Pommard 1er Cru Clos Des Epeneaux
Domaine des Epeneaux (also known as Domaine Comte Armand) acquired its name from the vineyard Clos Des Epeneaux, a Premier Cru Monopole vineyard in Pommard. Since 1850, the estate has been a one vineyard domaine until 1994, where a few vineyards added into their portfolio. The current Comte Armand owner is Vicomte Gabriel Armand, a lawyer in Paris Domaine des Epeneaux is known for their monopole vineyard, Clos Des Epeneaux. It is one of the most highly prized Premier Cru vineyards in Pommard situated within Les Grands Epenots and Les Petits Epenots. This 5.3 ha vineyard is located within Les Grands Epenots, planted 100% Pinot Noir. It is one of the…
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Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux 2016
Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux is a rising star in Vosne Romanee. Charles Lachaux took over the estate from his father in 2012, and he implemented substantial changes to the Domaine in 2013. Such as high percentage of whole cluster, lowered the percentage of new oak and most importantly changing the viticultural regime. Charles Lachaux is a huge fan of madam Lalou Bize-Leroy from Domaine d’Auvenay, and Charles has been experimenting with letting the top branch grow and weaving them down for the past five years. Charles Lachaux said by leaving the top branches of the vines unpruned on the vineyard, the roots reaches deeper underground and the grapes ripen around 7-10 days…
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Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Combettes
Jean-Marc Boillot (also known as J. M. Boillot) is the grandson of Henri Boillot as well as the maternal grandson of Etienne Sauzet. Jean-Marc Boillot worked with his grandfather Henri Boillot, his father Jean and his brother (also named Henri) at the Domaine Henri Boillot since 1967. In 1984, Jean-Marc left the domaine after a family disagreement and worked as a winemaker at Olivier Leflaive for 4 years while also making wines from 2 ha of vineyards under his own label. In 1988, he left Olivier Leflaive and put his full attention on his own estate, Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot in Pommard. Jean-Marc Boillot inherited some vineyards from Henri Boillot as well…
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Domaine Hubert Lamy
When I was in Burgundy a couple of weeks ago, I heard many young generation winemakers recommending Domaine Hubert Lamy wines, they all said Olivier Lamy is making some of the best wines from Saint Aubin and it is a must-try. I have to admit Domaine Hubert Lamy is completely new to me but after tasting my first Domaine Hubert Lamy wines last week, I am sold! Olivier Lamy, the son of Hubert Lamy is making one of the most outstanding wines in Saint Aubin if not the entire Cote de Beaune, Olivier Lamy has not only put Domaine Hubert Lamy on the map, but also pushed the boundaries of…
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Domaine Jacques Prieur
Domaine Jacques Prieur is pretty much the only family-run Domaine in Burgundy with that many exclusive vineyards. No one in Burgundy has such an impressive list of Grand Cru vineyards like Domaine Jacques Prieur. Musigny, Le Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Echezeaux, Clos Vougeot, Corton-Bressandes, Corton Charlemagne, Chevalier Montrachet and Le Montrachet. Domaine Jacques Prieur in Meursault was established in 1870. Like many other estates, they have had its ups and downs over the past century.Jean-Pierre Labruyère bought 70% of the stake in 1988 from the Prieur family, and the remaining 30% is still owned by the Prieur family. Jean-Pierre Labruyère spent a lot of time and money to improve the…
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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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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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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…
