Visiting a vineyard
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Domaine Denis Bachelet, the King of Charmes Chambertin
Domaine Denis Bachelet is one of the more mysterious estates in Gevrey Chambertin to many of us, one of the reasons is because of their small production, they only produce 5 red cuvees with mostly Bougogne and Cote de Nuits and only one Grand Cru. However, please don’t be deceived by this low-key estate as their wines are some of the best in Gevrey Chambertin, their quality very often punches above its appellation, and arguably Denis Bachelet produces the best Charmes Chambertin. Note: Denis Bachelet has a nickname “King of Charmes Chambertin” amongst the consumers. This Domaine doesn’t normally do tastings but Denis Bachelet’s son, Nicolas Bachelet kindly received us.…
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Maison Benjamin Leroux 2017
Tasting at Benjamin Leroux was very enjoyable. Despite the slight confusion with the appointment time, Benjamin kindly showed us around and gave us an interesting tasting of his 2017 portfolio of whites and his selection of Grand Cru reds plus a few eccentric vineyards as a bonus. My favourite was his Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrieres and his Chambertin, as well as a couple of surprises from his Clos Vougeot and Nuits Saint Georges Les Boudots. Benjamin Leroux started his negociant business in 2007 after he left Domaine Comte Armand, his sizeable estate is located just outside of the Beaune ‘ring’ D470 (or as I like to call it, the…
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Olivier Bernstein 2017
Olivier Bernstein is one of the hottest negociants in Burgundy, he is undoubtedly a new breed of premium negociant that is producing wines which have superior quality over most Maisons and Domaines. With his splendid quality of Premier Cru and Grand Crus, as well as his controversial and aggressive En Premier release pricing in the past three vintages, Olivier Bernstein has quickly gained a reputation. Born in Touaine, Olivier Bernstein was raised in a family with the fondness of classical music and good taste. In 2002, Olivier bought 8 hectares of vineyard in Roussillon and started making wines. However, Olivier has always been fond of great Burgundies and naturally he…
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Domaine Caroline Morey
Caroline Morey is one of the producers in Chassagne Montrachet to look out for today. Caroline is the wife of Pierre Yves Colin Morey, one of the most renowned winemakers in Chassagne Montrachet. The husband and wife duo shares a sleek-looking estate in Chassagne Montrachet that was built recently. For readers who have tasted PYCM wines would probably know that his style of wine is unique and is very consistent across his range, from Bourgogne to the rare Grand Cru Montrachets. Caroline Morey wines are produced the exact same way as Pierre Yves’, subsequently the standards are very high and quality is just as wonderful as PYCM wines. Caroline Morey…
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Quinta do Tedo Port
Quinta do Tedo, a small winery (Quinta in Portuguese) located in the heart of Douro River, at the confluence of Tedo and Douro river. Their estate offers a stunning view that overlooks the Douro river and the impressively sleep slopes of vineyards. Brief History Vincent Bouchard, who was originally from Burgundy purchased Quinta do Tedo in 1992 after hiking through Douro River with his wife, Kay. Vincent Bouchard is the son of Joseph Bouchard, the co-director of Bouchard Père & Fils, they are also related to William Fevre in Chablis. Naturally, winemaking is in his blood. After purchasing the rundown estate that was built in the 18th Century, Vincent and…
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Meo-Camuzet 2016
Domaine Meo-Camuzet is one of the most prestigious estates in Burgundy. Located in the heart of Vosne Romanée, Domaine Meo Camuzet is blessed with some of the finest and most sacred vineyards of Cote d’Or. Not only do Meo-Camuzet owns some of the finest vineyards, they also had the legendary winemaker Henri Jayer work for them as a winemaker for a few years and as consultant for a few more years. Domaine Meo Camuzet was founded in 1902 by Étienne Camuzet, a member of the French parliament in Paris representing Cote d’Or. Étienne Camuzet acquired some of the finest vineyards in Burgundy but rented the vineyards out to various vignerons…
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Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet 2016
Domaine Berthaut-Gerbet is to some extend a merger between Domaine Berthaut and Domaine Gerbet in 2015. Young and enthusiastic Amélie Berthaut took over her father Denis Berthaut at Domaine Berthaut in 2013 after completing a degree in University of Bordeaux. At the same time, Amélie inherited some vineyards from her mother Marie-Andrée Gerbet (who co-owns Domaine François Gerbet with her sister Chantal Gerbet). Domaine Berthaut is one of the most well-known and established estates in Fixin, owning 13 hectares of vineyards spread across Fixin and Gevrey Chambertin. Amélie Berthaut is also blessed with some of the most sought-after vineyards in Vosne Romanee from her mother’s side, such as Vosne Romanee Les…
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Maison Harbour
Maison Harbour is one of the greatest discoveries I have made in Burgundy. When I first heard of Maison Harbour, I intrinsically didn’t take it serious enough to track down one of their bottles sooner (Let’s be honest, the term ‘Maison’ is not as favoured as ‘Domaine’ for many of us Burgundy drinkers)… I was wrong on this… The truth is, not a lot of people are lucky enough to have Grand Cru vineyard inheritance from their grandparents or have extra multi-million euros to spare for buying sought-after vineyards in Burgundy. Established in 2013 by Nicolas and Colleen Harbour, a married couple originally from the US and Canada. Their story…
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Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux 2015
A new beginning for a new generation of winemakers in Burgundy. Charles Lachaux is among the group of new generation winemakers in Burgundy that are innovative whilst staying true to the tradition. Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux was founded in 1858. The estate is blessed with some of the finest vineyards in Vosne Romanee, including four Grand Crus and five Premier Crus. Robert Arnoux’s son in law, Pascal Lachaux ran the estate from 1987 to 2012. During those years, Pascal applied 100% new oak in the Grand Cru wines, 100% destemmed, sufficient extraction and organic to biodynamic practices in the vineyards. In 2012, the son of Pascal Lachaux, Charles Lachaux took over the…
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Domaine Georges Mugneret Gibourg 2016
Mugneret is a well-known family name in Burgundy, there are currently four Domaines in Vosne Romanee with the Mugneret name. Mongeard-Mugneret, Dominique Mugneret, Gerard Mugneret, and Georges Mugneret Gibourg. Of all the Mugneret estates, Domaine Georges Mugneret Gibourg is consistently the most outstanding estate. I was very excited when I knew I was visiting Domaine Georges Mugneret Gibourg, one of the finest addresses in Burgundy. Marie-Andrée Mugneret opened the garage door punctually for our 2:00 pm appointment. History Jeanne Gibourg married André Mugneret in 1928 and created Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg in 1933. Jeanne and André’s only son Dr. Georges Mugneret who was an ophthalmologist in Dijon decided to change career and pursuit the…
