DAY NINE | Gevrey-Chambertin, Ladoix, Monthelie, Beaune | 6.13.16
We dodged large raindrops this morning running from our car to the domaine in Gevrey-Chambertin. Situated in a majestic mansion dating to 1700, this domaine makes fine, elegant red Burgundies that are delicate and finessed. Tasted some beautiful 2014s, which should both require and reward some patience.
In the pursuit of photos, we managed to get ourselves quite muddy between tastings — it turns out that clay-rich soil of Gevrey-Chambertin is no joke. And our second tasting of the morning involved a hose and some shoe-washing before the start.
The whites here — 2015s all from barrel — were across the board fantastic. In a vintage where ripeness was a given, the retention of acidity became the game, and the Ravaut’s have succeeded mightily. But the star of the second tasting may have been the 2014 reds. Bursting with juicy tannins and clean, elegant fruit, there are some of the most drinkable 2014 reds we’ve seen. Can’t wait to get them into our cellars this fall (probably September Futures).
Lunch back in Beaune — steaks with green pepper sauce and frites — then south to a new producer in Monthelie. These were remarkably complex wines, both white and red, made biodynamically with low sulfites and low intervention. The quality of fruit was unusually brilliant, and accompanied by lively mouthfeels from red and white.
Dinner back in Beuane — a Chorey-les-Beaune 2014 is a standout glass. A full day tomorrow — CDN in the morning, CDB in the afternoon.
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