En primeur tasting - Burgundy Briefing

Clos De La Roche
Average age of the vines between 58 and 60 years old 3.4 hectares.
This is very pure. It has a classic paired down structure. Excellent intensity, grip,
drive and length. The tannins are fine, lean and toned. The texture and profile silky
and streamlined. Fine to very fine. From 2012
Stockists
UK:
USA:
John Armit; Ballantynes of Cowbridge; Goedhuis & Co.; Paul Kurs & Co.; Lay &
Wheeler; Morris & Verdin; The Rare & Fine Wine Co.
Vineyard Brands.
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod, Chambolle-Musigny
Ghislaine Barthod aims to respect the terroir, but tells me that her approach differs
from that of her parents. When they were making wine 20 years ago, they considered
Chambolle a purely feminine wine, she tells me, not a wine with substance. She does
more pigeage than her father used to. (Everything is totally destemmed). She begins
with pigeage, just twice, then switches to remontage. “I want to keep the finesse,
but with structure…more than my parents…but the most important thing is to have
balance.” She is very careful with new oak to preserve the aromatics. Twenty-five to
thirty percent of new oak is used on the premier cru.
These wines are a delight. They are charming, fragrant and finely balanced.
Bourgogne
Crunchy red cherry aroma. Zesty fruit, lively acidity, light bodied and very refreshing.
Simple and unassuming with plenty of energy. A pretty and attractive Bourogone.
From 2006
Chambolle-Musigny
A blend of 10 parcels.
A somewhat deeper red fruit aroma with correspondingly greater depth and intensity
on the palate. Bright, zesty, pacy Chambolle, light to medium-bodied, crunchy with
light, slightly sappy tannins and balanced acidity. Very charming. Top notch village.
Very good + From 2007/8
Chambolle-Musigny, Aux Combottes
Intense, heady raspberry aroma. Really pure and bright fruit. Lifted and peppery
palate with a lovely silky texture and ripe tannins. Seductive and vivacious.
Particularly good to fine. From 2008/9
Chambolle-Musigny, Les Chatelots
40 year old vines. A deeper top soil here of 30cm.
Rich, darker and a bit more spicy. A very good texture with a sumptuousness to the
black fruit. It’s direct and more streamlined but not quite as charming the Combottes,
although it certainly finishes well. Particularly good. From 2008/9