Thomas Wilcox, Author at Ansonia Wines

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Plums, Licorice, and Chocolate: 5-Year-Old Pomerol

Grape vs. Place. Wine classification can be confusing — categorization changes dramatically from one region to another. The Old World tends to identify wines by place, while the New World tends to use grape varietal. It seems a minor shift, but it has important implications for the way people perceive wines.

An example: call a wine Merlot and noses turn up (thanks, Sideways). Call the wine Pomerol, and you’ve suddenly caught our attention. In fact, Pomerol is proof that great wine can be made from Merlot. Today we’re releasing the 2011 Pomerol from the Chateau la Clemence, a wine we’re sure would convert anyone to the grape.

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Dense. Clemence is classic Pomerol — bold, rich, and smooth. The average vines in the tiny 7 acre vineyard are over 50 years old, and winemaker Christian Dauriac keeps yields low, often near 20 hectolitres per hectare. The result is a wine built to last for decades. The rich, concentrated fruit makes it easy to enjoy now, but its best days are certainly ahead of it.

The 2011 Clemence shows dark, stewed cherries, licorice, and toast in the nose; the mouth is long and rich, with jammy plum fruit, dark chocolate, and tobacco. With 5 years in the bottle this is already beginning to smooth out, and with a peppery steak it’s a treat. But if you’ve got room in the back of your cellar for a long-term investment, this one should provide a healthy return.

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CHATEAU LA CLEMENCE Pomerol 2011
Ansonia Retail: $92
quarter-case: $79/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Terms of sale. Ansonia Wines MA sells wine to individual consumers who are 21 or more years of age, for personal consumption and not for resale. All sales are completed and title passes to purchasers in Massachusetts. Ansonia Wines MA arranges for shipping on behalf of its customers upon request and where applicable laws permit.

Posted on August 2, 2016August 2, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Crisp, Refreshing Sparkling Apple Cider from Bretagne.

Cornwall. Cider has seen a recent explosion in popularity. From large beer companies to small scale New England farms, everyone has jumped into the game, and “craft cider” is no longer hard to find. As with wine, cheese, and other culinary arts, most serious American cider makers have made the pilgrimage to France to study the origins of their craft.

What they find is what we’re offering today: traditional, earthy, sparkling cider made on the rugged Breton peninsula. Bretagne (Brittany) is a starkly beautiful coastal region, blanketed by rolling green hills and ancient stone walls, resembling England or Ireland more than the rest of France. For centuries the Bretons have cultivated an extensive network of orchards, pressing a wide variety of apples into their hardy local sparkling drink.

melenig

Cidre. We’ve yet to taste a domestic cider quite like this one from Melenig. The flavors are of earth, apple skins, black tea, and dried fruits; the mouthfeel is woodsy and rustic — a perfect representation of the rugged windblown coast. There’s a hint of ripe apple sweetness when first in the mouth, but the finish is dry and textured.

At 4% alcohol, this is a refreshing, complex, and delightful drink, as affordable as it is delicious. Serve it cold, with goat cheese salad or, if you really want to be authentic, crêpes. We’ve enjoyed the pairing with grilled swordfish and roasted cauliflower — a lovely match on a warm summer evening.

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MELENIG Cidre de Cornouaille
Ansonia Retail: $16
case, half-case: $12.95/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 29, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

600 Years of Refreshing Summery Gamay

Graphite and Cranberry. We often write about wines that are delicately crafted and perfectly aged — elegant Grand Cru Burgundy, dark woodsy Bordeaux, or mouthfilling Châteauneuf-du-Pape. These are special wines for special occasions, meant to be sat with, contemplated, and savored. Today’s wine is not one of these.

Fine Beaujolais can be serious, but it’s rarely self-righteous. As Jancis Robinson puts it, “Beaujolais is meant to be drunk, rather than discussed or collected.” And while the wines of the 10 “Beaujolais Crus” are far more interesting than the overhyped nouveau, they all carry the region’s signature jovial, unpretentious spirit.

Six Centuries. Wine has been made at the Chateau de Juliénas since the 15th century. Today the Condemine family runs the domaine with a friendly modesty, and their wines are similarly welcoming. Juliénas is considered among the richest and fullest of the Beaujolais Crus, and the Chateau’s signature wine is no exception.

The 2013 Juliénas Prestige is delicious and unusually complex. The nose shows graphite, deep cranberry, and wild honey; the mouth shows a juicy attack followed by a sturdy, crackling mouthfeel. The iconic wines of France have their time and place — but at the end of a hot summer day, we’ll take a cool bottle of Beaujolais.

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JULIÉNAS Prestige 2013
Ansonia Retail: $24
case, half-case: $17.95/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 26, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Mixed Case: Balanced Syrah

Depending on where it’s grown, Syrah produces an enormous range of wines. Its most famous home is the Northern Rhône Valley, where winemakers grow pure Syrah on the steep hillsides of Côte Rôtie and Saint-Joseph. Further south, Syrah takes on a bit more muscle, and if not monitored carefully, can over-ripen and become heavy and hot.

We’ve put together four syrah-based wines that show the spiciness and balance possible from the grape. Two are pure syrah from the Northern Rhone, showing the pepper and vibrancy for which the region is known. The other two are syrah-blends from the south, but from high elevation vineyards, and from winemakers who achieve a delicate, careful balance.

Syrah is a perfect summer red — dark and smoky enough to pair with grilled meats, but mid-weight and lively enough to enjoy in muggy weather.

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Saint Clair Saint-Joseph 2014
Denis Basset is an energetic young winemaker who seems to make better wine each year. His 2014 Saint-Joseph is the best he has made, showing roasted meat, blackberry jam, and licorice — all at 13% alcohol.

Bonnefond Côte Rôtie 2013
Many consider Côte Rôtie the highest expression of Syrah — from vertigo-inducing hillsides, brothers Christophe and Patrick Bonnefond craft dense, classic syrah, showing olive, dark chocolate, and a hint of smoke; again, all without exceeding 13%.

Bagatelle Veillée d’Automne 2013
The winemakers at Clos Bagatelle blend in splashes of carignan and cinsault to this cuvée, but the cool, ripe syrah dominates. Look for plums and dark fruits, with a chewy mouth and a lively stoniness to keep it fresh.

Foulaquier Calades 2013
The winemakers at the Mas Foulaquier in Pic-St-Loup use biodynamic techniques in the vineyard and cellar to achieve remarkable complexity and balance. “Calades” is their excellent majority-syrah wine, showing cloves, blackberries and black pepper, with a cool jammy mouthfeel.

MIXED CASE: BALANCED SYRAH

3x SAINT CLAIR Saint-Joseph 14: $32
3x BONNEFOND Côte Rôtie 13: $54
3x BAGATELLE Veillée d’Automne 13: $24
3x FOULAQUIER Calades 13: $34

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Ansonia Retail: $432
mixed case price: $365/case

free East Coast shipping | save $67

Email Tom to place an order.

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Posted on July 26, 2016July 26, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Perfectly Aged, 5-year-old Premier Cru Red Burgundy.

Unique. Pinot Noir is grown around the world — from Germany to California and Oregon to New Zealand. But nowhere does it reach the same level of complexity and elegance as in Burgundy. Pinots from Burgundy inhabit a traditional style that’s increasingly distant from much of the New World’s oak-heavy, fruit-driven trends.

The wines of Pierre Amiot are a perfect example. Grown mostly in Morey-St-Denis, they combine earth and underbrush with balanced fruit and seductive, silky mouth feel. Amiot’s wines exemplify Burgundian elegance; or as Robert Parker puts it, “if it is finesse and pure charm you want, then Amiot’s wines are sure to please.”

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Dense cool tannin. Today we’re suggesting Amiot’s Morey-St-Denis 1er cru “Aux Charmes” from 2010. Now nearly six years from the harvest, this wine shows the characteristics of Morey-St-Denis we like best: a warm, agreeable earthiness, with smoke and toasted red fruit in the nose. In the mouth you’ll find cool dense tannins characteristic of this small but very fine vintage.

Amiot’s 2010 “Aux Charmes” has many happy years ahead, but it’s awfully hard to keep your hands off it today. We’d pair with the usual red Burgundy suspects: game, cornish hens, mild meats. But make sure you take a few minutes to marvel at the wine alone — it will more than reward your attention.

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AMIOT Morey-St-Denis 1er “Charmes” 2010
Ansonia Retail: $75
quarter-case: $64/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 23, 2016July 24, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Grand Cru Burgundy Sale

In Burgundy, Grand Cru is as good as it gets. Only 1.3% of wines from Burgundy have the designation, and these are the finest bottles the region has to offer. They’re not exactly priced for weeknight enjoyment, but when there’s a special occasion, they’re awfully nice to have around.

This week (and for one week only) we’re putting all of our Grand Crus on sale, ranging from 15-25% off. No minimum for any wine — order any 6 and shipping is free.

Quantities range from limited to extremely limited; first come, first served.

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GRAND CRU WHITE BURGUNDY

COLLET Chablis Grand Cru “Valmur” 2013 $66 $49
COLLET Chablis Grand Cru “Valmur” 2012 $66 $54
COLLET Chablis Grand Cru “Valmur” 2010 $66 $54
Jean Collet’s Valmur is classic Chablis — brisk, stony minerality, pleasant ripe lemon fruit, and very subtle use of oak.

COLLET Chablis Grand Cru “Les Clos” 2013 $72 $62
Clive Coates describes “Les Clos” as “Chablis at its very, very finest… combining depth, intensity, and great elegance.” This is famously long lived wine; it drinks well now, but the longer you keep it the better it will be.

RAVAUT Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2013 $98 $79
Gaston and Pierre Ravaut’s Corton-Charlemange is magnificent white Burgundy, with extraordinary depth and length. The oak is present and will continue to melt into the fruit with bottle age.

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GRAND CRU RED BURGUNDY

AMIOT Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2009 $145 $124
AMIOT Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2010 $145 $124
AMIOT Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2012 $138 $119
AMIOT Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2013 $130 $109
The Clos de la Roche Grand Cru from Jean-Louis Amiot is excellent each year, with gingerbread and toast in the nose and a long, concentrated lush mouthfeel. The 09 and 12 show juicy tannins, the 2010 additional elegance, and the 13 a pleasant earthiness that will develop with time.

AMIOT Clos St-Denis Grand Cru 2007 $125 $99
Now 9 years on from the harvest, this elegant Grand Cru is complex and lively; look for persistent minerality and beautiful length. Best served with food.

AMIOT Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 $140 $119
This wine is as charming as the name suggests. The 2011s are beginning to drink beautifully now, and this wine should retain some of its youthful notes of fruit and violets, while beginning to add notes of forest floor and mushrooms.

QUIVY Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2013 $160 $135

The prestigious Guide Hachette calls Gérard Quivy “undoubtedly one of the reference points in the appellation” of Gevrey Chambertin. Like Quivy’s other wines, his Charmes-Chambertin is elegant and silky, trading extraction for a gorgeous mouthfeel.

RAVAUT Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru 2010 $98 $85
RAVAUT Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru 2013 $95 $79
Ravaut’s red Grand Cru ages just as well as their white. Along with “Renard,” “Bressandes” is known as the finest parcel in the Grand Cru Corton, and Ravaut’s is an excellent example. The 2010 is finely grained and extraordinarily dense; the 13 is bright and earthy, and will gain weight with time.

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ALL WINES AVAILABLE BY THE BOTTLE

EAST COAST SHIPPING IS FREE ON 6 OR MORE BOTTLES

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Dry, Alsatian Sparkling: the Perfect Aperitif.

Contested. Alsace is a land of beautiful contradictions. Wedged between France and Germany, this charming region changed hands four times between 1918 and 1945. Its inhabitants tend to identify as Alsatian rather than either French or German, and today Alsace incorporates the best traditions – cultural, culinary, oenological – of both nations.

We’ve spent the summer telling you about Francis Murés red, whites (Riesling and blend), and rosé — all dry and crisp and perfect for warm weather. Today we’re releasing Muré’s excellent sparkling wine — a crémant d’Alsace. Made by the traditional method, this is 100% Pinot Blanc and aged on the lees for two years. It’s the perfect way to start a meal.

Cassis. Muré’s Crémant d’Alsace is bright and dry but has more fruit than most crémant we offer from Burgundy. The gentle mousse of bubbles lends a refreshing energy to an exuberant, fruit-forward palate. We suggest welcoming guests to the next dinner party in your backyard with a glass of this, perhaps with a splash of crème de cassis to make a kir. (Look for our exciting new cassis producer in September Futures.)

For a more specific pairing, find a triple cream cheese – Delice de Bourgogne, Brillat-Savarin, or even St. André. Let the cheese come to room temperature and slather a generous portion onto a piece of crusty fresh bread. The combination of tiny bubbles and creamy cheese makes for a sensation of harmonious contrast, much like the region from which it comes.

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MURÉ Crémant d’Alsace NV
Ansonia Retail: $24
case, half-case: $17.95/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 20, 2016July 20, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Guillotines and Gevrey-Chambertin: 142 Years of Red Burgundy.

Vineyard plots in Burgundy often bear the names of nearby historic features, many long since vanished. In Meursault, Ormeau and Genevrières are named for the “elm” and “juniper” trees that once stood there. Vide Bourse in Chassagne refers to its location at a dangerous road crossing known for “empty purses.” And the famous grand cru Chambertin was once the “field” (champ) of a man named Bertin.

The Domaine Bourée’s Gevrey-Chambertin monopole “Clos de la Justice” has an even richer history. The land where the Clos now stands was once the town execution spot, where “justice” was meted out by guillotine or gallows. Since the land was acquired in 1874 by the current winemakers’ great great grandfather, it has seen a less violent and more productive existence.

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The Clos de la Justice is a village level Gevrey-Chambertin, but could easily be mistaken for a fancier wine. Robert Parker describes it as “at least Premier Cru quality,” and we’ve found it far more elegant and complex than other village level Gevrey. Bourée is an old school producer, using little oak and whole clusters — their wines show bold, muscular flavors dressed in smooth, elegant robes.

Today the Clos de la Justice 2011 is extraordinarily expressive — the nose shows a collection of dark, stewed fruits, dried cranberries, toast, cloves, and baked apple. The mouth is surprisingly smooth, with a softened palate that remains long and tense. This is more refined and less juicy than their 2010 Pommard that we released last week, but the domaine’s time-tested elegance shines through in both.

We’re not sure what the first few vintages of the Clos de la Justice tasted like, or whether there was any overlap of use; but after 142 years, the family has perfected the recipe.

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BOURÉE Gevrey “Clos de la Justice” 2011
Ansonia Retail: $78
quarter-case: $64/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 19, 2016July 19, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Dark, Refreshing, Balanced Syrah for the Summer.

Dark and Bright. Most wine with dark, inky color is heavy and rich; and most light colored wines are also light in body. But these rules don’t always apply. In the Northern Rhône Valley winemakers grow Syrah at its northern limit, producing reds with intense, dark flavor, but balanced lively mouth feel.

The appellation Saint-Joseph occupies most of the region between Côte Rôtie in the north and Hermitage in the south. Saint-Joseph produces dense, dark syrah like its famous neighbors, but with a touch less extraction and an earlier drinking window. And, while some Côte Rôtie and Hermitage can exceed $250/bottle at release, there’s value to be found in Saint Joseph.

Balance. Denis Basset is a young winemaker based in Crozes-Hermitage, recently listed by Decanter and the Guide Hachette in describing a dynamic new generation of Crozes-Hermitage winemakers. His plot in Saint-Joseph covers only an acre, and bears the name Abimes de l’Enfer (the “Abyss of Hell”) for its vertiginous slope.

Basset’s 2014 Saint-Joseph is already beautiful. The nose shows spices, violets and intense black pepper; the mouth shows blackberry jam with notes of roasted meat and licorice. This intense wine clocks in at only 13% alcohol, so while it’s mouthfilling and chewy, there’s not a bit of heaviness.

This should age nicely, but from a ripe year like 2014 it’s already drinking well. Decant for a half hour to allow the array of dark spices — anise, cloves, tobacco — to melt into the cool rustic fruit. Serve this alongside a roasted spring lamb with rosemary and mint, or something smoky from the grill.

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SAINT CLAIR Saint-Joseph 2014
Ansonia Retail: $32
case, half-case: $26/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 14, 2016July 15, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Inky Rhône Red: Violets, Black Pepper, and Cherries.

Stewards. From a distance, it’s easy to forget that our winemakers are farmers before anything else. Viticultural matters occupy the majority of their days, and it’s impressive to step back and remember that the delicate, polished creations in a bottle spring from capricious plants on hillsides of dirt.

Last month Nicolas Haeni took us up into the hills behind Séguret to show us “Malmont,” plot of terraced, west-facing vines. The floraison had just begun, and the smell of wild herbs and new flowers wafted up as we strolled between the rows.

Nicolas is as passionate as any young winemaker we know, and his bursting, healthy vines are a testament to the work that goes into pesticide-free farming. With no staff or team of workers, Nicolas does it all himself; he knows every inch of his vineyard like the back of his hand.

Plum and Toast. The Malmont wines are as much the product of Nicolas’s passion and energy as they are of the land. These wines are some of the purest and most complete expressions of Southern Rhône terroir we know. We tasted his 2015s in barrel in June, which are young and ripe and tannic — we expect them to be exceptional, but to require a bit of time (see this November’s Futures).

In the meantime, we’re pleased to report that Nicolas’s Séguret 2014 is just delicious these days. An extra year in the bottle has rounded it out nicely — the nose shows violets and dark burnt cherries, with black pepper and a hint of toast. In the mouth there’s ripe, pleasant, juicy tannin, with notes of plum and blackberry.

From a tiny plot of vines on a steep hillside, and a garage-sized winery attached to his house, Nicolas Hanei produces vibrant, complex, extraordinary wines. We could go on, but a glass of the wine will speak best.

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MALMONT Séguret 2014
Ansonia Retail: $30
case, half-case: $25/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 14, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

25% Off Shelf: July 2016

Posted on July 13, 2016July 14, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Mixed Case: Refreshing Wines for the Summer Heat

Hot weather makes wine pairing tricky. Our main criteria for summer wines are threefold: low alcohol, good acidity, and chillable. White wine is the obvious choice, but we enjoy serving a few of our reds cool from time to time. The best of these are what the French call vins de soif — wines for thirst.

So we’ve collected four crisp, refreshing wines that you can enjoy even when temperatures push up towards 100. Two are white — bright, crisp, and minerally; and two are red — dry, fruit-forward, and refreshing. These aren’t wines to sit with and contemplate — they’re well made but uncomplicated. Serve them in a big bucket of ice on a beach or a roof deck.

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Muré Pinot Noir 2014
Francis Muré’s Pinot Noir is all about exuberant, Alsatian fruit — look for cherries, wildflowers and honey in this floral wine with a cool, refreshing mouthfeel.

Juliénas Prestige 2013
This Beaujolais from Juliénas is far more interesting than its nouveau cousin — but it retains Beaujolais’s signature joie de vivre. Look for notes of cranberry and stones.

Gautheron Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2014
Cyril Gautheron’s old-vine Chablis is bright, crisp, and vibrant. It’s pure chardonnay, with notes of lemon rind and mango alongside brisk, stony acidity.

Martin-Luneau Muscadet “Gorges” 2010
This Muscadet from the Loire Valley is the quintessential French summertime white. Look for melon and stones in the nose; drink this by the ocean and match the saline air with the aromas from your glass.

MIXED CASE:

REFRESHING WINES FOR THE SUMMER HEAT

3x MURÉ Pinot Noir 14: $22
3x JULIÉNAS Prestige 13: $24
3x GAUTHERON Chablis Vieilles Vignes 14: $26
3x M-LUNEAU Muscadet “Gorges” 10: $24

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Ansonia Retail: $288
mixed case price: $235/case

free East Coast shipping | save $53

Email Tom to place an order.

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Posted on July 12, 2016July 26, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Chianti Classico for your Summer Table. $22

Pomodori. July is here and tomatoes are finally back in season. Whether cooked and tossed with pasta and parmesan, or sliced raw and served with mozzarella, olive oil, and crunchy salt, they’re a staple of summer chez nous. (Or, rather, a casa.)

But tomatoes — and in particular, tomato sauce — presents a wine-pairing puzzle. Whites are often shouted down, and many French reds clash with the already acidic sauce. We find the best solution is a wine from the same tradition — our Italian source is the Fattoria Poggerino, an organic producer of pure, delicious Sangiovese in the hills of Chianti.

Roses and smoke. Jancis Robinson called Poggerino’s 2012 Chianti Classico “mouthfilling yet poised,” and “savory yet perfumed,” with “wonderful balance.” We found their signature roasted cherries and smoke in the nose, with chocolate, beef, and rose petals in the mouth. The mouthfeel is sturdy and dense, with young but juicy tannins and lots of energy.

The exceptional balance that impressed Jancis Robinson makes this wine easy to pair. Marcella Hazan’s three ingredient tomato sauce is as perfect as it is simple — it’s a frequent visitor to our kitchen, and an excellent match with Poggerino.

Or on a warm, muggy evening, make yourself a caprese salad — remember to let the mozzarella warm up a bit out of the fridge — and sit outside with a glass of Chianti. The Italian banks may need a bit of work, but their food-wine pairings are just about perfection.

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POGGERINO Chianti Classico 2012
Ansonia Retail: $26
case, half-case: $22/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 10, 2016July 10, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Perfectly Aged, 5-Year-Old Pommard

Legendary. In France, Pommard has a reputation as a vin de garde (wine to cellar). Grown in clay- and limestone-rich soils, the wines are full of muscle, richness, and spice. A favorite of Thomas Jefferson, Pommard has made classic, well-respected red wines since at least the middle ages.

Today Pommard’s requirement of cellaring is less absolute, but the finest examples still benefit from some bottle ageing. We’re excited to introduce a new wine today: the 2010 Pommard from Pierre Bourée. The Domaine Bourée makes wines that are meant to age, and then conveniently ages them for us — this 2010 left Bourée’s cellar for the first time this spring.

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Muscle. The Domaine Bourée’s style is that of a time gone by. Their old school approach to winemaking — no destemming, ambient yeasts, long soaking and maceration — results in a fuller, more robust style. Combine this with Pommard’s density and power, and you get rich, mouthfilling wine that nonetheless retains its Burgundian elegance.

For lovers of dense red Burgundy (or for those, like us, with a particular affection for the 2010 vintage), this is a wine not to miss. The nose is immediately expressive, with notes of cassis, cloves, and toast. The mouth is rich and tense, with notes of wild cherries, mouth-filling tannins, and a long, surprisingly smooth finish.

Pair this with a fancy steak frites: use this cold-oil french fries recipe (warning: this dish may change your life), and pick a flavorful cut of beef. This dense, beautiful, 5 year old Pommard will be right at home.

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BOURÉE Pommard 2010
Ansonia Retail: $78
quarter-case: $64/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 3- 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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Posted on July 8, 2016 by Thomas Wilcox

Silky, Elegant, Premier Cru Red Burgundy.

Juicy. On most maps, Santenay is the last town in Burgundy’s famous Côte d’Or. Forever second fiddle to its famous neighbor Chassagne-Montrachet to the north, Santenay nonetheless produces excellent wines. With neither the staying power nor the tannic structure of wines from Chassagne, they are often far easier to enjoy young.

A case in point is Roger Belland’s Santenay 1er cru “Beauregard” rouge from 2013. Belland is known as one of the finest sources in the village — Clives Coates calls their wines “individual and stylish.” Belland’s reds are punchy and ripe, with tannins that are round and juicy. The 2013 Beauregard is a lively summertime red Burgundy that won’t break the bank.

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Crackling. Roger Belland and his daughter Julie are the 5th and 6th generations of winemakers in their domaine. They have used no herbicides for more than 20 years, and their wines are careful, pure expressions of their origin. Their 2014s are available in our current Futures issue, but the few 2013s remaining in our warehouse are drinking beautifully now.

The 2013 Beauregard rouge is more elegant than most Santenay. The nose is intense and bright, with red fruit and stony earth accompanied by spring flowers. The mouth is concentrated and long, with excellent balance and a clean, silky mouthfeel. Pour this at a dinner party with steaks, or on its own with light hors d’oeuvres. It’s proof that red Burgundy doesn’t have to be expensive to be excellent.

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BELLAND Santenay 1er cru 2013
Ansonia Retail: $40
case, half-case: $34/bot

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AVAILABLE IN 6- AND 12- BOTTLE LOTS

Email Tom to place an order.

or call Tom: (617) 249-3657

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